Orange launches Liveradio, the first autonomous Wi-Fi radio

24 May, 2007 - Orange has launched in France the first portable digital radio to connect via Wi-Fi to a home network, called Liveradio.

The product allows the user to listen to radio stations from around the world in digital quality anywhere in the home, as well as podcasts, audio books, and MP3 music stored on a USB player. Liveradio is battery-powered and weighs under 700g, including integrated speakers.  The unit is priced at €199 and is available through its website and at thirteen France Telecom stores.  Liveradio can be used by any home consumer with a broadband connection and wireless network.  Battery life is a reported 4 hours at average volume or 24 hours in standby mode.

The product was co-developed with Baracoda, an independent software vendor with operations in the US and Europe, and Liveradio is one of the first products issued by Livebox Labs, creator of home networking products for France Telecom, which owns Orange.  Liveradio is a front-runner for Orange’s forthcoming new home audio services, which include access to a broader selection of podcasts, audio books, and Orange Music Cast, an online music service which allows users to listen to theme channels arranged by genre and customised radio programming.

France Telecom is the second largest mobile operator and internet services provider in Europe, and reported consolidated sales of €12.844bn in the first quarter of 2007, up 1.8% from the same period of the previous year.