visorcentral.com >>
Stories >>
Hardware
CUE Radio Preview
CUE Radio
 How
would you like to have a pager that can be local or nationwide that has news
alerts and email alerts and is an FM radio to boot? With the CUE Radio you get all these things. CUE
recently updated its website with new information on their CUE Radio module.
The price of the CUE Radio has not been finalized yet but should be less than $100; it is currently slated to ship sometime in May. The CUE Radio module will come in three different colors: Blue, Ice, and Graphite initially.. Below is a preview
of what you can expect.
Here are the services that are available
for the CUE Radio:
-
FM Stereo (No
charge) - Listen to FM broadcasts from a preprogrammed list of stations,
and there is an option for multiple cities in your play list.
-
 Traffic
Alerts (60.00/yr) - Receive traffic
alerts over an FM network of 600 radio stations across North America.
When the light on the CUE Radio flashes, push the radio button twice and
the traffic alert will appear on the Visor screen. You can also program
the traffic alerts to be route specific. Select the appropriate
traffic route on the map for your city located at cuetraffic.com.
Follow the instructions to place these in the Visor and you will then receive
traffic alerts only for your specific route.
-
Personal Messaging ($15/100m
local, $49/100m nationwide) - Receive text messages on either a
nationwide or a local basis. Nationwide service covers over 98% of
the population of the US. Local service is offered to over 500 cities
across North America. Purchase a prepaid MessageCard on the CUE Radio
website to obtain the messaging services.
-
e-mail Alerts (included
in Personal Messaging) - Receive wireless notifications of
important e-mails on the CUE Radio. Your Visor screen will display
the subject, sender, and first 40 characters of the e-mail. You can
filter messages so only important e-mails are transmitted.
-
Weather Forecasts (No Charge)
The CUE Radio also receives local weather forecasts in 500 markets on an
hourly basis. Keep in touch with the latest weather conditions and
enjoy the most advanced radio in America. News alerts are free.
In combination with your Handspring Visor.
-
News Alerts (No charge)
- Receive headline news reports every hour on the CUE Radio.
Here are the technical details on the CUE Radio:
| CUE
Radio Specifications |
| Frequency
Range: |
87.5-107.9
MHz, Data/Audio |
| Subcarrier
Format: |
57
kHz MBS |
| Audio: |
Full
Stereo audio out |
| RF
Input Range: |
98
to +20 dBm |
| Sensitivity: |
4uV
stereo |
|
0.001
BLER @ 15 dBuV (RBDS) w/Earphone antenna |
| Data
Rate: |
1.2
kbps RBDS |
| Physical: |
| Power: |
+2.5
vdc |
| Weight: |
2.7
oz. |
| Card
Type: |
Springboard
Compatible Module |
| Audio
Output: |
3.5
mm stereo mini-plug jack |
| Operating
Temperature: |
-10°C
to +55°C |
| Connector: |
Handspring
Standard Springboard - 68 pin |
Overall this looks like a very promising
module. Not all of the features are available in all cities, but
you can check out the traffic
section for a list of upcoming cities.
|
|
|
 |
