Sanyo R227 - The Ol’ Box Now Catches Wi-Fi

Hybrid gadgets and mashups are some of the things that make technology
so interesting. I mean these are not pure tech ideas dreamt of by some
super geek but thoughts for working practical applications that can
occur to any one of us. The Sanyo R227 is one such application. A
regular radio with Wi-Fi so that you can access Internet radio as well.
Why did it take so long to hit the markets? A really cool idea. Imagine
the cozy warmth and joy of a guy who possesses this device - he’s
powerful. He can really access the airwaves and also play MP3 files on
this compact piece.

An Internet radio that frees you from the dependence on a desktop or a
laptop. The R227 has the following dimensions - 215 x 140 x 110 mm
(wxhxd). It is a compact and handy portable device which sits in a
lacquer-finished black cabinet. The R227 comes with 8 preset Internet
stations and you can easily add to them.

Features of this Wi-Fi enabled radio include -

90 mm diameter stereo speakers
Stereo headphone jack
Support for the following audio files - AAC, AIFF, MP3, RM, WAV, WMA as
well as playlists
AM/FM plus Internet radio
Digital tuner for the FM stereo
Subscription-free access to thousands of Internet stations and podcasts
from around the world
Access music from your computer or other computers on the same network
Extended bass response via a port
DAP auxiliary input
Audio output for connecting to other music players
Remote control
Instant on/off as the R227 is like a standard radio and does not require
a booted computer

The R227 will be available in the US for $170 from January 2009 onwards.