RCA Infinite Radio: Slacker, Internet radio, and AM/FM for less than $100
(Credit: Acoustic Research)We recently christened the Logitech Squeezebox Boom as our favorite Wi-Fi radio, but that's not to say there's no room for more products in that burgeoning category.
Take the new RCA Infinite Radio RIR200 from Acoustic Research. In addition to its ability to pull in thousands of Internet radio stations from across the globe, this squat little networked clock radio can also access the Slacker music service (free with ads, or paid without) as well as good old-fashioned over-the-air AM and FM radio. It's also got weather forecasts (courtesy of WeatherBug) and will even interrupt what you're listening to in the event of an emergency weather bulletin.
While the Infinite Radio doesn't seem to be able to pull audio files from a networked PC, it can play MP3, WMA, and RealAudio music files from a USB flash drive. It's also got the unique ability to record over-the-air or Internet radio to the unit's built-in 512MB memory for later listening (the recordings can't be exported, however).
But here's the kicker: the Infinite Radio will soon be available for as little as $99. (A more expensive version, the RIR205, includes a Wi-Fi access point as well.) At that price, it certainly looks to be a feasible alternative to products like the Aluratek. We'll have a full review as soon as we get our hands on one.
Related coverage: Wi-Fi radio roundup
John P. Falcone covers home theater and network entertainment products. He's been writing for CNET since 2002.
