Pure, the company known for its digital and internet radio, will deliver content through a new music store. They also plan on bringing digital radio to cars through a custom install system they’ve developed.
According to Pure’s Managing Director, Graeme Redman, the Pure music service will throw together more than 18 million songs in a sleek music-store interface reminiscent of Apple’s iTunes, from playing controls to the applications side pane.
“Why fix something that isn’t broken?” said Peter Blampied, the company’s Director of Sales, on its resemblance to Apple’s iTunes.
The service seems easy to use, allowing subscribers to compile playlists by dragging a thumbnail over the ‘create playlist’ icon. Additionally, it feeds a web of music-related information, including artist, album tracks, bio info and more thanks to Shazam technology. If a browser sees something they’re interested in, they can simply click to buy directly from the page.
Redman was adamant that the service will be compatible with a slew of devices. Since the service is cloud-based, users won’t have to back up their music and transfer them from one device to another. Instead, the same account can be accessed by a phone (so far iOS or Android), a pure radio or a computer.
The music subscription service will cost roughly $10 a month, and should be available in Australia come Easter. Click over to check out their digital radio car system.
Also up Pure’s sleeve is a custom install kit that’ll bring digital radio to the car. The car kit is an after-market installation that consists of a control pad, antennae and brain.
 Click to enlarge |
| Left to Right: Antenna, Control Pad, Brain |
The system is adept to multitasking, with one part focusing on scanning for new channels while the other saves them.
It’ll also juggle the radio stations of two different regions, saving users from having to delete one area’s radio channels just to save anothers. Redman pointed out it’s an ideal feature for people who commute between underdeveloped digital radio areas, using the drive between Brisbane and the Gold Coast as an example.
Since each component of the car kit is separate, it’ll easily accommodate upgrades. So if a new control pad is made available, existing owners can simply buy the pad, rather than a new kit.
Currently the system is still in testing, but Redman estimates a cost of $650 when it does become available in Australia.
