Psion Wavefinder
Encyclopedia
The Psion Wavefinder was a computer peripheral for receiving digital audio broadcasting
radio signals, made by Psion. It attached via USB to a personal computer, and had no loudspeakers or controls of its own, with only a flashing light on the device. Psion hoped it would become a design classic.
The Wavefinder was released on 17 October 2000, and gave access to both DAB audio and DAB Data services. The device initially retailed for £299 (at the time the cheapest digital radio on the UK market) and was bundled with new PCs sold by Dixons, but it was quickly discounted, retailing at £49.99 by that December, and was no longer produced by 2002. Psion ended support in 2004. The Wavefinder had frequent software problems, and an unofficial patch called WaveLite was released in 2001. The Wavefinder had widely-reported problems with the USB drivers in Windows XP
Service Pack 2.
It will work with Windows XP
with SP3. There are reports that the Wavefinder works in Vista. It is not compatible with Macintosh
computers, except perhaps through the use of a PC emulator or virtualisation
solution. There is a driver and command line application for Linux
, OpenDAB , that describes itself as "experimental". The unregulated power supply which is supplied with the Wavefinder has an output which can go up to 19 volts, this can cause the Wavefinder to develop faults. It is therefore recommended to use a regulated 12 volt supply.
Digital audio broadcasting
Digital Audio Broadcasting is a digital radio technology for broadcasting radio stations, used in several countries, particularly in Europe. As of 2006, approximately 1,000 stations worldwide broadcast in the DAB format....
radio signals, made by Psion. It attached via USB to a personal computer, and had no loudspeakers or controls of its own, with only a flashing light on the device. Psion hoped it would become a design classic.
The Wavefinder was released on 17 October 2000, and gave access to both DAB audio and DAB Data services. The device initially retailed for £299 (at the time the cheapest digital radio on the UK market) and was bundled with new PCs sold by Dixons, but it was quickly discounted, retailing at £49.99 by that December, and was no longer produced by 2002. Psion ended support in 2004. The Wavefinder had frequent software problems, and an unofficial patch called WaveLite was released in 2001. The Wavefinder had widely-reported problems with the USB drivers in Windows XP
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
Service Pack 2.
It will work with Windows XP
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
with SP3. There are reports that the Wavefinder works in Vista. It is not compatible with Macintosh
Macintosh
The Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a...
computers, except perhaps through the use of a PC emulator or virtualisation
Hardware virtualization
Computer hardware virtualization is the virtualization of computers or operating systems. It hides the physical characteristics of a computing platform from users, instead showing another abstract computing platform...
solution. There is a driver and command line application for Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, OpenDAB , that describes itself as "experimental". The unregulated power supply which is supplied with the Wavefinder has an output which can go up to 19 volts, this can cause the Wavefinder to develop faults. It is therefore recommended to use a regulated 12 volt supply.