U.S. Robotics announced today that it is shipping the SoundLink Wireless Audio Delivery System. The company is positioning SoundLink as a way for Mac or PC users to listen to MP3 files and Internet radio stations through their home stereos or portable radios by using FM transmission — but it’ll work with virtually any audio output.
SoundLink is comprised of a small transmitter unit that plugs into your Mac’s audio out jack, and a small receiving unit is then placed up to 10 feet from the stereo or radio. You then tune your FM receiver to 88.1 or 88.3, and you can hear your computer’s audio. U.S. Robotics said the SoundLink carries a range of up to 1,000 feet. The SoundLink operates on the 900Mhz frequency.
U.S. Robotics president and CEO Van M. Andrews said that the SoundLink is the perfect first entry for his company into the wireless audio market. “SoundLink Wireless Audio Delivery System offers consumers innovative ways to enjoy Internet audio with the features they expect from U.S. Robotics — ease of installation and use, quality and reliability,” said Andrews.
Because SoundLink uses the headphone jack on a PC or Mac for its audio signal, it’s compatible with any streaming media player or MP3 software. Users could also conceivably use the SoundLink to listen to music from a portable CD player or any other analog source equipped with a headphone or RCA output jack. U.S. Robotics cites other potential uses, as well — hook up a microphone to a computer in the baby’s room, and you can use SoundLink and your home stereo as an infant monitor, for example.
SoundLink carries an estimated street price of US$99. It includes a transmitter and receiver (each unit is about five inches wide and four inches high); two six-volt DC power adapters; installation guide; and RCA and 3.5mm cables. It should be available from major retailers, and can also be ordered directly from U.S. Robotics.