EUROPEAN TELECOM MARKETS ITS OWN NET RADIO DEVICE: Mobile network operator/ISP Orange UK is selling its own Wi-Fi Internet radio device called LiveRadio. According to the company, LiveRadio connects to up to 4,000 Internet radio stations, and can play MP3s and podcasts as well. Listeners can purchase music they hear via the device and the Orange music store (it gets downloaded to a registered PC and mobile phone). LiveRadio debuted in France last year (Orange is owned by France Telecom), reportedly selling more than 10,000 units in the first few months. The company is apparently considering offering the radio at a discount to customers willing to buy long-term mobile or home Internet service contracts.

MORE THAN HALF THE TIME AMERICANS LISTEN TO MUSIC, IT’S ON SOME FORM OF RADIO: According to a survey by electronics manufacturer Sonoro, 57% of Americans’ time spent listening to music is devoted to FM, AM, and Internet radio. While the popularity of digital music — both on PCs and the nearly ubiquitous iPod — has undoubtedly tempered radio’s dominance of music listening, portable devices accounted for less than half (23%) of total radio listening (listening to CDs accounted for 18%). Sonora did not reveal an individual breakout for Internet radio listening, but Arbitron and Edison Media Research’s “Infinite Dial” study (here reported about 54 million Americans (21% of the population) say they listened to Internet radio in the previous month, and about 33 million had listened in the last week.

LAST.FM REDESIGN, NEW SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE COMING: Last.fm is reportedly beta-testing a site-wide redesign and is readying a brand new premium subscription offering. The CBS-owned social network-based music service is giving current subscribers a peek at the new features, which includes a new player at the top of every page to instantly access the music and streaming stations currently in the browser. As Wired’s “Listening Post” reports (here), there will also be “real-time music popularity charts and podcasts.” Last.fm says the new subscription service will include unlimited access to music from the major labels and more than 150-thousand smaller labels and independent artists. If you’re a Last.fm subscriber, you can enter the beta here.

TUN3R ADDS “CITY DIALS” FOR LOCAL AM/FM STREAMS: Internet radio provider TUN3R has added 10 city-specific “City Dials,” which include both TUN3R-aggregated internet radio stations and regional AM/FM stations streams. Word to the wise: the interface is a bit daunting. Look for the “3 Important Things To Know About TUN3R” message at the top of the page to help your navigation (these useful hints disappear after 15 seconds or so, so refresh!) TUN3R has also announced plans to initiate a subscription service. A percentage of these profits would go be shared with the webcasters, based on audience. Read the full press release here.

PODCASTERS WANT A NEW NAME — “INTERNET RADIO” IS TAKEN!: The May 26 issue of Newsweek reports that, in an effort to escape the shadow of Apple’s dominance (“and its cease-and-desist letters”) of the portable digital music device world, podcasters want a new name for themselves and their medium. The name, they say, creates confusion and the misunderstanding that their work can only be listened to or viewed on iPods. As such, the podcast network PodShow is now known as Mevio. New names for the medium up for consideration, according to the article: “Netcast,” “Webcast,” “blogcast,” — and one content producer suggests: “Internet radio.” Hey…

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