Will it be enough to propel it to the top of our ‘must haves’ for 2007?

First Impressions

The Pico WiFi is small and light. The basic construction is plastic, but there is a satisfying enough solidity to the radio to inspire confidence that it could survive the rigours of garden life. The case is actually splashproof so it is more than capable of withstanding a light shower, but not a complete dunking.

The Pico WiFi boasts a more contemporary design than many of its rivals who have gone down the retro route. There is a large LCD display and one main recessed control dial surrounded by six function buttons. It looks good, but not stunning, suggesting that excitement lies under the hood.

Let’s cut straight to the chase.

The Pico WiFi’s stand out feature is its portability. It contains a rechargeable battery that should provide 3 to 4 hours of use depending on the strength of the WiFi signal.

The transformer is built into the plug so the power cable, which disappears into a funky rubber cover at the rear of the device, is pretty subtle. Initial charges take several hours, but speed up with repeat charging. The Pico will charge while operating, but only at a quarter of the rate. On occasion we could hear a high pitched hum coming from the Pico during the charging process, but it was not intrusive.

Operation

If you have ever enjoyed a Reciva powered radio before you will know what to expect here.

On power up the Pico scans for available networks and locks onto the strongest signal. If the network is encrypted it will ask for the key.

Browsing through menu options is done using the central scroll wheel. It is recessed into the casing and is moved using a ‘dimple’ for your finger. This looks great but in practice is not as easy to use as a stick-out dial. It just wasn’t possible to make fine adjustments and we often found ourselves ‘skidding’ past the option we wanted. Entering the network key took twice as long as it should have.

Once the network has been set up the Pico connects, downloads the latest station updates from Reciva and waits patiently for you to tell it to find a station or stream audio from a networked PC or Mac.

Stations are handily categorised by Reciva into location or genre so it’s easy to track down the station you want. If it’s not in the list then Reciva will add it for you if you contact them.

The Pico’s portability also enhances two of its additional features – streaming audio from a networked computer and acting as a speaker for an mp3 player.

Streaming audio files was as simple as locating the PC on the network, scanning for shared folders and creating a playlist. Using the Pico as a portable speaker was even easier. You can use the supplied cable to connect the headphone socket on the mp3 player to the Pico and it instantly detects the presence of a suitable device. Press play on the mp3 player and away you go.

In some ways, the portability of the Pico creates a small problem. Unlike a device which is tethered to the mains, you are encouraged to carry the Pico WiFi with you – into the garden, the garage, places which another WiFi radio would fear to tread. Any holes in your signal will be ruthlessly exposed as the Pico did seem to be more sensitive to low quality signal than a laptop with an embedded WiFi chip. It would have been nice to see an external USB port so that an external WiFi receiver could be plugged in, but then you can’t have everything.

Sound quality

There is only one speaker so sound is definitely mono, but it was good enough for everyday listening. It didn’t quite have the depth of the Tangent Quattro we reviewed last month, but that is a much larger and heavier radio.

Verdict

The Revo Pico WiFi is a world first. Portability adds a whole new dimension to the internet radio experience. This solidly built device will certainly satisfy most users and is the first WiFi radio we’ve ever tried that seems to completely understand what it is all about. That’s not to say it’s perfect. The interface was balanced slightly too much towards looks than practicality and we did suffer loss of connection in areas which should have been fine. However, this is the best WiFi radio to yet hit the market. Yes, it will be beaten one day, but we would bet that it might be Revo themselves who do it.

The Revo Pico WiFi will bring WiFi radio to the masses.

Revo Pico WiFi

Revo Technologies, the Scottish digital radio designer, has let us know that the first batch of its interesting new Pico WiFi Radios sold in 72 hours after launch at the end of last month.

Apparantly pre-orders were large enough in themselves to see that all stock was shifted.

Quite frankly, we’re not surprised. Pico WiFi is the world’s first self-powered internet radio. It has a rechargeable battery that means it really is untethered from those house-bound wires, making garden use a joy.

More Picos are arriving in these shores in a week or so, but judging by the number of retailers who have it on pre-order already don’t expect them to last long.

We hope to get our hands on a Pico WiFi and give it a thorough going over for you shortly.

Revo Pico WiFi

Revo Technologies, the Scottish digital radio designer, has announced a new addition to its popular Pico portable radio family. Pico Wi-Fi is the world’s first self-powered internet radio, capable of receiving over 5,500 radio stations from around the world.

Thanks to its splashproof design and integral rechargeable battery, Pico Wi-Fi can be used indoors or outdoors – as happy in a bathroom or garden as it is in a kitchen or bedroom. Pico Wi-Fi also doubles as a high-quality portable loudspeaker system for your iPod (or other MP3 device). Simply plug your iPod® into Pico’s M-Port using the connection cable supplied, for instant cordless music on the move.

Pico Wi-Fi is capable of accessing over 5,500 internet radio stations from all over the world. Listen to Samba from Brazil’s Radio Caraibas, New Orleans Jazz from WWOZ or even live baseball from New York on WFAN 660. All that’s required is a Wi-Fi internet connection, and a world of radio choice is yours. Pico Wi-Fi also allows the user to access ‘Listen Again’ services such as those operated by the BBC, and even wirelessly stream MP3 music from a
PC or Apple Mac.

Pico Wi-Fi links to any broadband Wi-Fi connection to stream both live and “Listen Again” internet radio broadcasts. Stations are listed alphabetically by country or music type, making selection simple – and Pico’s portable design means that it can be used wherever you have a Wi-Fi connection. Additionally, Pico allows you to play music files stored on any Wi-Fi enabled PC or Apple Mac in your home.

Pico Wi-Fi Key Internet Radio Features

• Easy access to over 5,500 internet radio stations from around the globe
• Search by genre or country
• Access “Listen Again” services such as those operated by the BBC
• Real Media, MP3 and WMA compatible

Pico Wi-Fi Key Hardware Features

• Internal rechargeable battery for complete wireless freedom
• Go-anywhere splashproof design
• Plug an iPod® into Pico’s M-Port^TM and you have a cordless speaker system
• FM radio reception
• Includes infra-red remote control with presets

Pico Wi-Fi also offers full media player functionality, enabling the user to listen to audio tracks stored on PCs or Apple Macs connected to the same local Wi-Fi network.

There are currently more than 5,500 stations listen on the Reciva Gateway, with more added every day. Reciva monitor and review the station list on a daily basis meaning that Pico Wi-Fi will always have the latest stations. Every time Pico Wi-Fi is switched off and back on again, it will automatically download the latest station list.

M-Port – iPod  and MP3 Sound Support

Revo’s M-Port technology allows for quick and easy connection of an iPod (or other MP3 devices or sound sources) to Pico Wi-Fi™. Using the connection lead supplied, simply plug an iPod (or other such device) into Pico’s M-Port™ and you have a cordless sound system, providing high quality, expansive digital audio in a flash.

Pico Wi-Fi costs £149.95 and goes on sale in the UK & internationally on the 16/7/07
Pico Wi-Fi can be pre-ordered by visiting the official Revo website – www.revo.co.uk.