Something we thought is becoming extinct is making a comeback. It’s the humble radio.
The man behind the revival, Paolo Novelli, and his company RadioNovelli, have left no stone unturned to ensure the new high-tech radio captures the imagination of the digital generation and also those who have grown up listening to the classic radio.
The new radio with a retro look is a 4G Android device, and can play FM, AM, Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) and internet radio.
The design has an antique feel and those who have listened to the old big radio boxes can easily relate to it. It can also play DVDs and CDs.
The radio comes with a seven-inch touchscreen and users can do almost everything they do with an Android device.
The Artist Mode makes it possible for the user to request content to listen to or view on the net or from the radio stations that RadioNovelli has tie-ups with.
The Continuous Artist button activates a series of links from across radio stations that are transmitting songs of the artist you are listening to. It even lists the artist’s songs on Youtube.
RadioNovelli’s tie-up with Gracenote enables the listener to get all details of the artist such as the album, lyrics, or play other content of the same artist like videos or even movies.
The radio also eliminates difficulties the elderly face in holding small devices like mobiles during Skype or video calls. They also don’t have to open and wait for the laptop to power on, wait for it to connect and then use apps like Skype.
The webcam sits right on the front of the radio and all the user has to do is to select the app, such as Skype or Duo, and start a video conference.
The form factor of the device could be useful even while connecting to doctors with a video call.
At the first glance and for those who have never seen a radio, it could be funny to find huge old-fashioned volume and other knobs next to a modern display, but looking at the features, the modern RadioNovelli has great potential.
RadioNovelli believes the new 4G radio will revolutionise the world of entertainment and the broadcasting sector. Apart from what it has for listeners, it also opens up commercial avenues.
For example, when advertisements are played on the radio, the advertiser will be able to display a button on the screen that allows the user to purchase the advertised product.
The radio was launched commercially on May 7 on Amazon and on www.radionovelli.it .
The radio also comes packed in a designer box, which itself looks like a collector’s item.