Ever since the radio was introduced by Marconi back in the early 1900’s it has been apart of our lives ever since. Now you can merge the radio and your laptop or PDA together and create one dynamite combination. In this review, we’ll take a look at Ambicom’s compact flash FM radio.
Features:
∙ Turn your PDA into a FM radio
∙ Access news around the world
∙ Small and Convenient Design
∙ Listen to Music Anytime, Anywhere
∙ Compatible with Windows XP, 2000, Me, PPC 2000, PPC 2002, Windows Mobile 2003
With this device from Ambicom you can now combine your laptop or PDA and the radio, making one dynamite combination for the on the go businessperson, or sports fanatic. The card’s small compact design allows for flawless, unobtrusive operation. In addition, because it is an actual radio, you’re not relying on an internet connection to get your music.
Contents:
∙ FM Radio Compact Flash Card
∙ Stereo Earphone
∙ Audio Line-In Cable
∙ Quick Installation Guide
∙ Product Registration Card
The radio comes with everything you need to get it up and running. Setup is a breeze with the included and detailed “Quick Install Guide”; some company’s include quick install guides that cause more confusion than anything else. Ambicom includes a pair of earphones with the radio, however if your going to do some extended listening you may want to consider getting a better set of earphones. Ambicom also includes a 1/8” patch cable so you can plug the radio output into the microphone or line in jack on your laptop and listen to the radio through your laptop speakers.
Performance:
Setup of the Ambicom FM radio was very simple, all you have to do is install the software and plug in the card to an open Compact Flash, or PCMCIA slot on your laptop or PDA. We tested the card inside a building, inside a car, and in the good ol’ outdoors. Reception inside the building and in the car was just unacceptable, but that’s why you have radios in your homes and in your car. Reception outside was flawless however; we were able to tune into several radio stations without any trouble.
Conclusion:
If you’ve got to stay connected to the world, but might not always have an internet connection the Ambicom FM radio provides a great solution. We’d highly recommend this product for the on the go businessperson, or sports fanatic. It’s easy to use, and convenient.
Pros:
∙ Small compact design
∙ Easy to use software
∙ Compatible with Windows XP, 2000, Me; PPC 2000, PPC 2002, Windows ∙ Mobile 2003
Cons:
∙ Poor reception inside buildings and cars
