Tivoli Targets June Intro for NetWorks Internet Radio

Tivoli Audio founder and CEO Tom DeVesto has set a June timeframe for shipment of the product whose concept he outlined almost a year ago: the Tivoli Audio NetWorks Radio, the company’s first model to receive over the Internet both traditional AM/FM radio stations and any Internet stations and podcasts.

The form factor of the new product is radically different from the prototype shown last June, looking more like the company’s vertical PAL radio but sporting a wood finish that is a signature characteristic of its inaugural product, the Model One table radio. It comes with a remote control.

“This radio permits wireless home audio networking without the need for a computer; all it requires is a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, which will also allow it to receive software upgrades automatically later on. It’s infinitely upgradable,” said DeVesto.

The radio can access any station with a Web address and customers can add radio stations by filling out and submitting a form via their computers. It can also play music stored on a PC without running wires, he added.

DeVesto touted the unit’s Super Buffer technology, a user-defeatable setting that when engaged, reduces the pauses often associated with Internet signals. Since it increases buffering fourfold, which works out to about 45 seconds, channel surfers may not want the feature to be active all the time, he explained.

The NetWorks Radio which will carry a suggested retail price of $600, can also be connected to TV to create a home theater system, with the addition of a stereo speaker that will cost about $100. A matching CD player and subwoofer are also being made available.

The radio includes a USB input to permit plug-in of compatible MP3 players, and although the unit is currently incompatible with iTunes, DeVesto said that will be, when software development is complete.

The radio also serves as an alarm clock. The large “snooze” button atop the chassis is also its on/off button, and its volume control.

DeVesto also said that a portable version of the radio is in development and could be shown as early as January; that model will likely be more expensive because of the type of rechargeable battery system it will need to ensure 10 hours of play time.

“This product has been six years in the making, and we have tried to make it appealing to people who are not computer fans who could just plug it in and, with minimal setup, listen to stations from anywhere in the world,” DeVesto commented.

The radio is to be available in cherry, walnut or Wenge finishes.

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