Q2 motion-controlled internet radio
It's only rock and roll...
Review The Q2 is the simplest Internet radio you’re likely to find. It’s good looking too, with its tidy cube shape, rubberised casing and five colour options: white, black, lime and a couple of flowery pink and blue versions.
Hip to be square: Q2's Internet radio
The last two colour choices presumably cater for the fashion conscious, though they could be mistaken for trendy baby monitors. Thankfully, the white model is understated, with just a thin yellow trim around the front.
Equipped with Wi-Fi and measuring just 10cm per side, the Q2 is more portable than typical ‘next gen’ radios. Developed by Cambridge Consultants for the Armour Home group, it aims to demystify Internet radio by removing the display and conventional controls.
Taking its cue from smartphone apps, it’s motion sensitive instead. You switch between four presets by turning it onto a different side (each of the outside edges is numbered). Tilt it upwards to raise the volume or down to lower it.
Placing the Q2 onto its front mutes it and, after a few minutes, puts it into battery-saving standby. There’s a full on/off toggle switch at the back, where you’ll also find the mini USB port and a headphone/stereo output jack.
The mini USB port enables charging and station configuration
Although there’s no user interface, two LEDs beneath the speaker grille flash for a short time to alert you when its connecting to a network or if the battery is low. The Q2 is recharged through its supplied USB-mains adaptor or when connected to a computer.
COMMENTS
actually...
...the price is also at the top of the review on the first page.
BBC stations yes or no?
Can I ask that you make very clear one REALLY important piece of information in Internet radio reviews.
Can you listen to BBC live radio on this (not world service but BBC R1 R2 R3 R4 etc.) I know the Reg is international but I am sure that for a sizeable portion of the readers the lack of this would make such a device a non starter.
These are some of the most listened to stations in the UK and the fact that, for example the Nokia HD-1 can not receive R4 in Internet radio mode is shocking.
Put simply can i get BBC R2, R4 or not with the Q2 as I am not sure exactly where live radio stops and listen on demand starts with the BBC.
From the FAQ on Q2's site:
'Can I add my own Radio station urls to the Radio?'
'No. Only the Radio stations listed can be added to the Internet Radio.'
....aaaand suddenly it's not so interesting any more.
Hand-motion controlled?
I have a few ot these.
I do have to touch the radio while I move my hand, but they work flawlessly.
Thank you
"The Q2 takes about 15 seconds for sound to arrive after switching on, or from deep sleep, while the delay between switching stations is between 3-8 seconds."
Excellent that you checked the Achilles' heel of most Internet Radio appliances. Some of them take many minutes to turn on, and the better part of one minute to change stations.
Thanks.
