Olinda, a prototype design, could also be customised allowing listeners to make VoIP (Voice-over Internet Protocol) calls and send audio clips to their profiles on sites such as MySpace or Facebook.

The interactive radio is part of a drive to integrate social-networking tools with digital radio sets.

Olinda features a panel of six lights which notify listeners when a friend is tuned in, using Radio Pop, a BBC website set up for sharing listening information.

Listeners simply press a button to tune in and listen to their friend's station.

Other features proposed for the new radio include a 'Push to talk' button for Skyping friends and a 'Klippit' button for recording audio files.

"Olinda shows how to meet the needs of Generation C, those connected, creative and community-focused people who care less about technological features and more about making and sharing blogs, photos and music," said Matt Webb, director at design agency Schulze & Webb.

The BBC will not be manufacturing Olinda. Instead it hopes that the patent-free design will be developed by manufacturers.

http://schulzeandwebb.com/2008/olinda

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