New and Old Come Together

In a world of iPads and iPhones, Pandora and Spotify, YouTube and Netflix, you might think that radio is an anachronism.  But the 100-year-old technology is still enjoyed by millions.  Just this last week in Cincinnati, the announcement that iconic radio host Jim Scott would retire sparked comments from people young and old who report they still listen each morning.  And, until recently, the automobile and radio were joined at the hip, or I guess I should say, the axle.  Drive time is still often the most valuable time a radio station has to sell.

Most people listen to radio the old fashion way—using a standard radio tuner in their car or home.  But since most radio stations also distribute their broadcasts on the internet, you can listen using your computer, tablet or smart phone.  In some ways using the internet is preferable if your favorite station is a long distance away.  Anyone who drives long distances appreciates the frustration of listening to your favorite program on the radio only to have it fade away as you drive further from the station.  Listening online enables you to listen no matter where you are, provided you have a decent connection to the internet.

This feature is especially appreciated by people who may have moved to a new city and want to stay in touch with what’s happening back home.  Or perhaps you have a favorite radio personality or program that is only available on one station and it is thousands of miles away.

Many of us like the convenience of a radio.  You turn it on and tune in the station you like.  It is really simple.  Listening on a computer requires booting up the computer, launching the software and of course making sure you are connected to the internet.  The speakers in a laptop are not all that good.  It is a little easier with a smartphone or tablet.  But even the speakers on those devices are at best adequate.

There are several models of internet radios that look and feel like your mom’s old Philco, but connect to the internet via Wi-Fi and allow you to “tune” in most any radio station in the world.  They are not really radios, of course, but rather special purpose computers that make finding and listening to radio stations distributed on the internet effort free.  Once set up, they stay connected to your home Wi-Fi and with the touch of one button allow you to begin listening to your favorite station no matter if it is located down the street or on the other side of the world.  These devices also connect to Pandora, Spotify and a number of other internet-delivered music services.

Prices begin at about $100 and go up to about $250 depending on the features like remote control, high quality sound reproduction and even recording capability.  You can find internet radios at the big box stores and of course online at Amazon.com.  The really pricey models are sold by Chrutchfield.com, a high end online audio dealer.