Over the last few months, while you’ve been staying home and staying safe, you’ve been enjoying your favourite stations more than ever – filling your home with music, conversation, news, and much more.
So now that the shops are beginning to reopen, why not treat yourself to a new DAB digital radio or smart speaker, or upgrade your car stereo to take all the stations you’ve been enjoying at home, with you on the road?
Revamp your radio at home
Digital radio brings so much more to enjoy to your home with great features such as extra stations, easy search and tune, digital quality sound, and in some cases Bluetooth. Some digital radios are internet-enabled bringing you even more features such as podcasts and programmes on demand.
If you're listening via smart speaker, you can ask your device to play your favourite station or podcast by name.
There are now 53 national stations available on DAB/DAB+ with national commercial stations having grown to 42 thanks to new stations launched in the last year, such as Smooth Chill, Heart Dance, Capital XTRA Reloaded, Times Radio and Scala Radio. They join 11 BBC stations, including BBC Radio 6 Music, Radio 4 Extra, and Radio 1 Xtra. Plus hundreds of local stations.
Electrical retailers John Lewis & Partners, Currys and Argos are all now reopening their stores and have measures in place to allow you to shop safely. You'll find a great range of DAB digital radios and smart speakers available on line and instore. Click on the retailer name above to find out which stores are reopening when and where.
Revamp your radio in car
There are a range of great DAB digital radio replacement radios and adapters available from Halfords and other car audio specialists. You can even integrate your smartphone into your car stereo with an app integrated stereo. Find out more here. This will allow you to listen to your favourite stations via DAB, as well as via a station app.Or you can listen to your favourite station or radio app by connecting your smartphone to your car stereo with an aux in cable, a USB connection or via Bluetooth and take all the stations you enjoy at home with you on the road.
Download your favourite station's mobile app such as Absolute Radio, Scala Radio or Radio X, or your preferred radio and audio mobile app such as Global Player, BBC Sounds or Radioplayer, on your smartphone and then listen through your car stereo by connecting your smartphone one of the following ways:
Aux in
Most cars feature a 3.5mm aux in jack, either on the stereo unit or underneath it. This allows you to plug in an aux in or lightning cable from your smartphone directly into your stereo. You can buy an aux in or lightning cable in store and online at retailers including Currys, Argos, Halfords and Amazon.
Bluetooth
Most newer cars now come with built-in Bluetooth. You can connect your phone to your car’s Bluetooth by pairing it like you would any other device, and listen to your favourite station via app. Bluetooth is convenient because once paired, your phone will automatically connect to your car and it also has the benefit of allowing hands-free calling.
USB connection
Lots of cars now come with a USB connection. This allows you to connect your phone to listen to your favourite station and radio app - as well as charge up your device.
You’ll need a USB cable that you keep in your car, and depending on your device, this could be a lightning cable, a micro USB cable or a USB-C cable. Find the one that's right for your smartphone in store and online at retailers including Currys, Argos, and Halfords.
If your car has a USB connection, it is a great way to listen to radio via your smartphone. Not only does it provide a reliable connection and clear audio, it also charges your device and lets you make hands-free calls at the same time.
Safety first. Remember to keep your focus on the road at all times and it is illegal to hold a phone while you are driving - you must have hands-free access. Find out more from GOV.UK here and further guidance from the RAC here.