📻 Internet Radio Explained
Internet radio is a digital audio service transmitted over the internet. Unlike traditional AM/FM radio, which uses radio waves, internet radio streams audio through online connections, making it accessible from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.
Benefits:
- Global Access. Listen to radio stations from the other side of the world from you, or right in your area.
- Variety: Thousands of stations offer everything from indie music to talk shows, news, and music genres.
- Less Restrictions: In places where there is a lot of censorship, using the internet can provide more freedom than traditional radio.
- Free Music: So long as you have internet, you can listen to music. This makes internet radio an alternative for those who can't afford music-streaming platforms.
- Emergency Situation News: If you are somewhere that does not have a radio, you can connect to local news stations over the internet.
How To Tune In:
While there are some dedicated internet radio apps and websites, some of them only display stations directly linked to their companies, and some even charge for the service. So, be sure to use FOSS apps and programs (example: VLC. There is a tutorial here ).
Once you have your app or program: 1. Find stations using search engines like Radio Stream URL Search Engine or InternetRadio . 2. Add stations to your platform of choice 3. Enjoy!
Getting Creative:
There are devices you can buy that look just like traditional radios, but another popular method is to make. Here are some examples:
- Google Play Music Internet Radio (Raspberry Pi and Arduino)
- Pandora's Clock: Nixie Tube Clock and Pandora Internet Radio
- 1964 Dansette Pi Internet Radio
Station Examples:
- Krave : hard rock
- Audiobook Radio
- Sleep Radio radio to put you asleep
- Golden Oldies
- Lochness Inn Celtic
- Streaming Soundtracks: Scores of Music from Movies, Game, TV & Anime w/Chat & Automated Requests
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