3Com launches Internet radio appliance

Expected to be marketed early next year (2001) in South Africa, the Kerbango is said to give consumers a radically simple way to find and listen to local AM and FM radio stations, as well as rich Internet audio content from around the world - without a PC.

"The Kerbango Internet radio exemplifies the potential of Internet appliances," says Wolfgang Held, 3Com specialist consultant. "Our goal is for the Kerbango to be the primary source for finding and listening to Internet audio anywhere in the world, whether on computers or Internet appliances."

The first 3Com Kerbango Internet radio will require only a power source and an Ethernet connection to the Internet. Once connected, consumers can enjoy thousands of diverse audio streams, thanks to the Kerbango Tuning Service.

"The Kerbango Tuning Service is at the heart of the appliance and provides a single source for finding and listening to thousands of Internet audio streams," says Held.

"This easy-to-use directory will be available free of charge to listeners worldwide at the www.kerbango.com web site. More than 5 000 different channels will be available.

The Kerbango Tuning Service has been enhanced through agreements with several content affiliates in the US, including Redband, RadioAmp and AltaVista.

In addition, the Kerbango Tuning Service has enriched its Latin music offering through agreements with Morfeo Media and Batanga.com, and added a wealth of music and talk shows from Radio NetKing, the leading Internet radio station in Israel.

Other enhanced content offerings come from DiscJockey.com, Radio Woodstock, RadioV.com, Cypress Radio Network, RadioValve, ChoiceRadio.com, theDial, IcebergMedia.com and MTVi Group`s Sonicnet.com.