Digital radio costs less than $60
The cost of receiving digital AM and FM signals will drop this week as Radiosophy releases its HD100 receiver for $59.95 after rebate; from $114.95 before rebate. The HD100 pulls in HD Radio signals, a digital format that is broadcast alongside standard radio by more than 1,200 stations across the country. The next-least-expensive digital receiver is $160 with a rebate; most start at $300. Units begin shipping Monday.
Available at, the HD100 is a 10-pound compact receiver with built-in speakers. It has a play-through auxiliary input, a headphone jack and an alarm clock. AC power is required.
The radio has an internal AM antenna and a pull-out FM antenna. Both can be replaced with external antennas. Because digital signals are limited to 1 percent of the power of a station’s analog transmission, HD receivers often need external antennas for clear sound on far-off signals. With its low weight, telescoping antenna and ability to play music from devices like iPods, the HD 100 might have a place on the beach – as long as there is a cord long enough to reach it. – Glenn Fleishman, The New York Times
Tiny “green” PC packs punch
The Enano E2 is a tiny, silent PC with a footprint, and a carbon footprint, that makes most standard-size PCs look like SUVs.
Enano says that thanks to their small size and low-power processors, its 6.8-by-8.8-inch computers offer power savings of up to 70 percent when compared with full-size PCs. Enano also promotes the E2’s small size as offering improved efficiency over larger, bulkier PCs and cases. An optional mounting bracket allows the E2 to hang from a flat-screen monitor, removing it from the desktop entirely.
The E2 has an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and up to 3 gigabytes of memory. There are four USB ports, an Ethernet port, an optional TV tuner and a video-out port for connecting the device to a television. In most configurations, the computer includes a DVD reader and burner and up to 300 gigabytes of hard-drive space.
Prices for the E2 line, available now at RCS Experience and, range from $1,245 for the 1.67-gigahertz EX5500 to $1,825 for the EX7400U, with a 2.16GHz processor.
What to do with your bulky old PC? Perhaps recycle the innards and make the case into a nice planter. – John Biggs, The New York Times
