It’s never been easier to discover loads of new music, and VTech’s IS9181 Wi-Fi Internet Radio gives you access to as much music, new and old, as you could want.

The $199 Wi-Fi 802.11b/g network player presents you with 11,000 Internet radio stations from around the world, or you can stick closer to home and tap into your own digitally stored collection on a PC or Mac to stream favorites or find hidden gems.

The player features a pair of 3-watt speakers and 10-watt subwoofer in its compact casing, along with an aux in jack and RCA output.

It’s compatible with Windows XP and Vista, or Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5, and it’ll playback MP3, WMA, AAC and Real Audio files from your hard drives.

Web radio stations can be accessed from VTech’s online site or the IS9181, and you can hook it into your stereo or powered speakers for greater audio coverage. Plus you can command it and browse the full-color display via the remote control.

You can also cozy up to the player in your bedroom—it works as a digital alarm clock, which can be set to an Internet radio or FM radio station (or buzzer), and you can get your local weather and five-day forecast so you’ll know how to dress for the day. That’s convenient.

Arlen Schweiger - Editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen writes about home technology installations and product news and reviews for electronichouse.com and Electronic House magazine.