Bose should partner with Roku

Just a little back-story: Roku makes a device called the SoundBridge which you connect to your home stereo or external speakers, and it can wirelessly stream internet radio and access computer music libraries on the network. The unit has a display and the remote allows you to select artist, album, playlist, etc. There are a handful of products like this out there, but the SoundBridge pairs great functionality with a low price (the basic model is only $150). Also, for accessing an iTunes library no software is required, it should just work out of the box. What's incredibly clever about Roku is they sell the technology (which probably amounts to a custom chip and wifi device) to do all this to other OEMs. So seemingly they're less interested than moving SoundBridges as they are selling their hardware to other manufacturers.

If Bose used Roku's hardware in a "Bose WaveRadio Wifi," the device would be able to wirelessly play streaming internet radio, music from any computer on the network, and also AM/FM radio like all the other WaveRadio. A product like this could fill a perfect niche for people who want an attractive compact stereo that offers conventional radio functionality and access computer music libraries and internet Radio. Basically that should translate to tons of iPod/iTunes users over 25 who aren't total audiophiles. Something like this could also compete well with satellite radio products. It could also be at a price point (probably around $500) which is palatable.

The Roku hardware is likely pretty compact given the form factor of the SoundBridge products, so Bose could probably squeeze the parts in to their exisiting WaveRadio shell. Which means they might not even have to create any new molds for the product.

Now some readers will probably point out that Roku is already making a compact stereo, the SoundBridge Radio ($399). And yes, the Bose Product would be basically the same. However, I'd expect the Bose product to sell much better than the SoundBridge Radio given Bose's substantial marketing abilities, and connections to retailers everywhere. Plus, Bose is such a well established audio brand. So while some customers may be interested in the functionality of the SoundBridge Radio, they may be skeptical about the sound quality from such a new brand. I'm sure the product sounds very good (probably not quite as good as a WaveRadio), but if customers see the Bose label they know they'll be getting very good sound quality.

Besides this is really an idea for Bose, they've basically offered the same old WaveRadio and WaveRadio CD for years. It's time for something new...