Digital Trends

Slim Devices' newest Squeezebox network music player is turning heads with a stylish look and the ability to stream digital music and Internet radio stations to a stereo. It is the third generation of a device which has won numerous awards from the tech media.

The Squeezebox network music player is available in black or white and comes in a slim, vertical brushed metal case which contrasts with an aqua-blue display. This 7.6” x 3.7” x 3.1” case has a stand and was designed by renowned California-based designer Fred Bould.

Images Courtesy of Slim Devices

The main purpose of the Squeezebox is to allow users to access, wired or wirelessly, a digital music collection throughout the home. This digital music can come in the form of music stored on a computer or Internet based radio stations.

The Squeezebox features 802.11g wireless, dual internal antennas, 24bit Burr-Brown DAC and digital optical, coaxial and analog connectors. With its advanced lossless compression technologies, it can be located up to three times further from its wireless access point then previous models. The Squeezebox can also serve as a wireless bridge, allowing network devices to connect through its Ethernet port.

Image Courtesy of Slim Devices

In conjunction with SlimServer, which is the open source software that resides on a computer and sends music to the player, the Squeezebox can wirelessly play MP3, WMA, FLAC, AAC, WAV and OGG music files. Music selections can be set through the software or via the player's interface.

For those times when access to one's digital music collection is not wanted, the Squeezebox can directly connect to the Internet to access Slim Devices' SqueezeNetwork. This online service offers Squeezebox users access to many Internet radio streams from providers such as Live365 and SHOUTcast. Internet radio favorites can be saved to a playlist for later quick access and song title information is displayed during playback.

A remote is included with the Squeezebox and can perform functions such as power, volume, song selection and shuffle.

The Squeezebox prices at $249 (wired) or $299 (wireless) and can be purchased through the Slim Devices' website . It comes with the player, AC power adapter, a user's manual, 10 foot Ethernet cable for the wired model, the infrared remote with batteries and a six foot gold plated RCA patch cable.