Sky Gnome - portable sound for Sky

At today's announcement of Sky's annual results Sky also announced the details of a new hardware device to provide a portable radio experience for Sky Digital subscribers.

Sky Gnome will be available in October. It will allow Sky subscribers (with no additional subscription) to remotely control their digibox and listen to any channels subscribed to.

The Sky Gnome provides stereo sound, 8hrs play time with rechargeable batteries, and will be available in a choice of colours (blue or orange).

You will be able to control your digibox (including Sky+ so that you can listen to prerecorded content) changing channel via the LCD display. There is also full control of the volume. You can preset 10 favourite channels for one button access to those stations.

Although mainly designed to allow people to get the most from the radio channels when not sat in front of you TV it could also be used to keep an eye on your kids letting you keep an eye (and ear) on the channels being watched by them. In fact there are lots of occasions when just listening to the sound can be a perfectly acceptable solution weather you are out in the garden enjoying the sun or making a quick sandwich in the kitchen.

I am still trying to get some more technical details on how Sky Gnome works but will update this article when we can find out the details. Pricing will be available closer to launch in October.