The New Face Of Radio

Every so often, the clock-radio market–usually a dull corner of the technology playground–buzzes with excitement. That time has come. This April Philips will launch the PSS110 ($160; philips.com) a stylish, compact clock radio with stereo speakers and 256 MB of internal memory to store and play MP3s as well as an FM radio. On the horizon: Oregon Scientific’s weather-station travel alarm clock. It will be available in a range of styles and prices and can receive weather reports and other news from Microsoft’s MSN Direct pager network, for display on its color LCD screen. The two big complaints about MSN Direct are that it is available only on superchunky watches and that it requires a monthly fee. Oregon Scientific’s handy little travel clock, right, which is expected to include service as part of its sticker price, could be a sign that the service’s time has finally arrived.