Video might have killed the radio star -- just don't tell Pogo! Products. That company says its Radio YourWay personal audio system, which includes an MP3 player, voice recorder and AM and FM radio, is the first device of its kind that can record radio.
And record it can. It captures up to four hours of radio, including pre-programmed show times, a feature perfect for radio lovers who don't want to miss a minute. Recording quality is fine for talk shows and sporting events. Music recordings, however, are flat enough to make audiophiles cringe, but they're just good enough for the rest of us.
You can attach Radio YourWay to most audio devices, allowing you to record directly from a CD player, for example. The included ear buds have excellent sound quality, and the built-in 80mW speaker is surprisingly crisp even at high volumes. On playback, a fast-forward function allows you to speed through commercials on recorded shows.
The device is small enough to fit comfortably in gym shorts. But tucking Radio YourWay out of sight isn't just convenient -- the device isn't terribly attractive. It has a generic rectangular shape, unspectacular buttons and dry gray and silver colors. For those who like flashy gizmos, be warned: Radio YourWay places function ahead of form.
While the Radio YourWay version tested comes with a disappointing 32 MB, it has an expansion slot for an SD or MMC memory card. A 128 MB version, which costs $199.99, is also available. The included AAA batteries lasted for just over nine hours, falling short of the 11 to 13 hours promised.
It connects to a computer through a USB port, allowing you to store radio recordings on your PC and transfer MP3s or WAVs to Radio YourWay. You can even send data files to Radio YourWay, making it a portable hard disk. It is reasonably user friendly, but when first attempting complex functions -- such as setting it to record an upcoming radio show -- you'll need to refer to the detailed manual.
It has 10 radio station presets, which make it easy to hear your favorite stations. Surfing for new stations, however, is a hassle. The tuning button, which you can't hold down but must press repeatedly, takes you from frequency to frequency at a sleep-inducing .05 MHz.
Radio YourWay delivers high-quality sound and, for less critical ears, acceptable music recording. For those who don't want to miss a favorite radio show or who want to capture new music, sporting events or anything else, Radio YourWay could be right up your alley.
