Pure's new Sensia hoping to revive the digital radio market

11:15 23 September 2009

While the prospect of "going digital" is taking off reasonably smoothly for television, when it comes to radio, it is a different story. The new Pure Sensia DAB radio hopes to change that.

With the aim of bringing digital radio to the Facebook generation by integrating radio and internet together into one interactive touchscreen hub, the Sensia could well appeal to the tech savvy target market.

So far, DAB radios have really only been taken up by the older generations, missing out on the millions using iPods and social networking sites.

Pure Sensia DAB radio

The interface of Pure’s Sensia model is a large 5.7”colour touchscreen, where users can scroll through lists, tap to select and slide to change views – much like an iPod.

Through the internet connection, simply turn it on near any Wi-Fi network to receive range of internet radio stations, listen-again programmes, podcasts, album art and more.

Thanks to the clever interface, Senia is much more than just an internet radio. It come pre-packaged with "apps", providing access to visual and textual news feeds, weather updates and sports scores.

There are also social networking applications to let you keep an eye on your favourite accounts, including  Facebook and Twitter, and a Google Picasa app will let you play a slide show of your digital photos on the screen.

Choose music from thousands of radio stations catalogued in the Pure Lounge or stream music wirelessly from your laptop or PC.

Overall this is a great package, offering much more than just a normal radio. However, improvements like full internet access and the ability to play files through a memory device would help the Sensia appeal to even more people.

Buy the Pure Sensia from the end of October for £250, in a choice of black, red, yellow or white with a matching remote. Find out more about the Sensi at www.touchmyradio.com.