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.