Previously known chiefly for its computer peripherals and digital picture frames, startup Aluratek Inc. has introduced the first of two planned Internet radio products intended to provide access to the myriad free stations streaming on the Web.
The company says it will begin selling a portable alarm clock that picks up Internet radio streams via wireline or Wi-Fi connections, and requires no subscription. Licensing issues are handled through a partnership with content provider vTuner.com of New York, and Aluratek considers itself a hardware company rather than a service provider, according to vice president of sales and marketing John Wolikow.
A second product, expected in a few weeks, will consist of a thumb drive that acts as a key to Internet radio stations from around the world. When the device inserted into a USB port, a world map similar to Google Earth's pops up, allowing the user to click on a location to hear any available stream from that place.
Aluratek remains bootstrapped by its founders, but Wolikow says it may explore an arrangement with outside investors in the future. He acknowledged that all of its sales for the new product will initially arrive through online vendors, while agreements with brick-and-mortar stores have come along slowly. Still, he said he expects electronics stores to carry the products by the 2008 holiday season. -- Paul Bonanos
See June 17 press release from Aluratek
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