January 9, 2008 11:48 AM PST

FlyTunes makes your iPhone into an Internet radio

Posted by Rafe Needleman

Print
E-mail
Share

I got a demo at CES of FlyTunes, an Internet radio aggregator whose CEO, Roy Smith, is pitching as an alternative to Sirius Satellite Radio.

No radio in your iPhone? Try Flytunes.

(Credit: Rafe Needleman / CNET)

It's a stretch to compare it with Sirius, but FlyTunes is a worthwhile idea. A service designed for Safari on the iPhone and iPod Touch, it displays a curated list of Internet radio stations, and, over Wi-Fi, streams and records the stations you listen to. What's cool is that it can work when you're not online. It will record streams for your favorite stations. Then you can dock your iPhone or iPod to play your tunes over your home stereo or in your car.

Users will need to install a piece of software on their home Mac or PC to act as an intermediary. That software will redistribute the streams via Wi-Fi to registered mobile devices.

What it's not, though, is a bona fide content network, like Sirius is. FlyTunes owns no studios, no distribution channels, and no media. It's a low-overhead operation and Smith eventually hopes to make a few bucks by running noninvasive ads on browser screens during audio playback.

The service is in private testing now; it should open up this month.

Speaking of Internet radio, check out this cool Internet tabletop radio I spied at the Asus booth:

Now that almost all radio stations are streaming their content, Internet radios (like this Asus) are essentially world-band receivers.

(Credit: Rafe Needleman / CNET)

Rafe Needleman writes about start-ups, new technologies, and Web 2.0 products, as editor of CNET's Webware. E-mail Rafe.

Topics:: Audio and video,; Media

Tags:: FlyTunes,; Asus,; Radio,; CES 2008

Bookmark:: Digg; Del.icio.us; Reddit

View complete CES 2008 coverage from CNET.

About Webware

Say No to boxed software! The future of applications is online delivery and access. Software is passé. Webware is the new way to get things done.

Add this feed to your online news reader

Webware topics

In the news now

A tech veteran responds to the recession

LogLogic's Patricia Sueltz heard a clear message about the economy from investors, but she already knows a thing or two about navigating through tough times.

Special report: Faces of the recession

Obama's AG pick on privacy

Eric Holder has criticized the warrantless wiretapping program, but his views on other online policies may not be that far from those of the Bush administration.

The White House reboots

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right

Business Tech
IPOs a thing of the past?
At AlwaysOn Venture Summit West conference, investment bankers, venture capitalists, and private equity players weigh in on the prognosis for the IPO market.
Gallery
Photos: Space station marks a decade aloft
The first pieces of the International Space Station went into orbit 10 years ago. Now a full-fledged lab facility, it continues to grow.
Security
Apple deletes Mac antivirus suggestion
Apple removes statement to customers urging them to use antivirus software, saying that Macs are safe "out of the box."
Beyond Binary
Microsoft expands Vista SP2 testing
Starting on Thursday, the software maker will make public a test version of the service pack update to Vista.
Video
A toast to online wine
Digital Media
Conde Nast to shutter teen site Flip.com
The teenage girl social-networking site plans to shut down on December 16, according to an e-mail sent to users.
Video
Wi-Fi while you fly
Gaming and Culture
From Cy Young to video game fame
Tim Lincecum, one of the best pitchers in baseball, was chosen to be the cover athlete for 2K Sports' next baseball game. On Tuesday, he did a motion-capture session for the game.
Green Tech
Ta ta, Tesla
Are the Valley-based VCs and big-wigs who back Tesla Motors really serious about asking the federal government for low-interest loans?
Gallery
Photos: Top-rated reviews of the week
Here are a few of CNET Reviews' favorite items from the past week, including Adobe suites, laptop bags, and a Panasonic flat panel TV.
The Download Blog
Music and browsing take flight in Songbird
Music and browsing mashup Songbird has kicked the remnants of its shell to the curb, and the program's main emphasis as a music browser couldn't be more clear.
Green Tech
Ford accelerates electric-vehicle plans
In its turnaround plan presented to Congress, Ford says it will invest billions in fuel efficiency and introduce a family of hybrid-electric and all-electric cars.

FlyTunes makes your iPhone into an Internet radio

Audio and video,

Media

FlyTunes,

Asus,

Radio,

CES 2008

Report offensive content:

E-mail this comment to a friend.

Warning! You will be deleting this comment and all its replies (if applicable).