Apple to unlock FM radio in iPhone, iPod touch?
updated 05:25 pm EDT, Tue October 13, 2009
Apple touch devices may get radio app
A rumor today claims that Apple is developing software to expose FM radio tuning for certain models of the iPhone and iPod touch. The software would likely have the same feature set as the current iPod nano and could tag songs to buy them in iTunes; the Internet connection would appropriately give the option of buying the song immediately instead of waiting for the next computer sync. Though not discussed by the source, the DVR-like live pause mode is a probable addition as well.
A present incarnation would have the radio app separate from other components of the iPhone OS, though Apple is reportedly considering blending the radio into the iPod app. Either solution would have explicit permission to run in the background.
The addition wouldn't require a hardware revision for Apple's existing touchscreen players. Most of the devices from at least the second-generation iPod touch onward use mixed-format wireless chipsets, often from Broadcom, that carry FM along with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi; the addition was what let Apple expose Bluetooth on the iPod touch simply by launching iPhone OS 3.0. As such, Apple may only need to issue a mid-cycle firmware update.
Apple is also known to have given the third-generation, 32GB and 64GB iPod touch models an 802.11n-capable chip that supports FM transmitting and could be used to send audio wirelessly to a car stereo, though no talk has emerged of implementing that technique.
no antenna - no signal
10/13, 06:04pm reply
Having a chip capable of a feature doesn't mean it can just be turned on in software. There are hardware (and FCC) requirements such as an antenna. Is the Touch already physically configured to use the headphone lead as an antenna?
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
Antenna Probably Connected
10/13, 07:13pm (1 reply) reply
After spending money on a more capable chip, I doubt Apple would leave the hardware incapable of exploitation. However, the iPhone 3Gs and iTouch have different wireless chipsets. The one in the iPhone (Broadcom BCM4325) has an FM receiver, but no transmitter (for good reason), while the iTouch (Broadcom BCM4329) has better wireless capability 802.11n as well as an FM transmitter.
zimbardo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2004
That would be a nice addition...
10/13, 07:57pm reply
for those that are looking for extra features when comparing prices. Except for being able to tag songs, I doubt if I'd have much use for a radio as I've got more than enough music to listen to. Extra features are always good for bragging rights and hopefully the radio will get decent reception for those that want it.
iphonerulez
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Joined: Nov 2008
but is it FM Stereo?
10/13, 09:12pm reply
Without stereophonic reception this feature would be only a novelty. FM mono radio: a 1960s throwback.
typesetterX
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2006
Now?
10/13, 10:36pm reply
Why was this not announced when the new models came out last month. Weird.
Typesetterx, of course it would be in stereo!
bluejammm
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Joined: Jul 2006
Oh...
10/13, 10:39pm reply
...and how about a firmware update to add the camera lens?!
bluejammm
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2006
iphonerulz,
10/13, 11:22pm reply
I'm guessing you're young and think of radio as only music. There are a lot more things on FM than that. Local news, traffic reports and talk radio, among other things. Whatever the wonders of the Internet, you can't get truly current local conditions off it.
Stimler
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Joined: Oct 2001
FM Radio
10/14, 12:30am (1 reply) reply
The antenna is effectively your headphones.
My question is why apple waited so long. After all, almost every other player has featured FM for years.
lolcat789
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2009
I listen to NPR
10/14, 03:32am (1 reply) reply
and frankly the NPR app kind of sucks as far as listening to NPR programming. My local station drops out frequently, which is a real pain the a** because I listen while bike riding so I have to pull over and reload the stream or try to do it while riding which of course is risky.
Yet, I can listen to my Pandora app and it NEVER drops. So it can't be all blamed on AT+T.
Radio reception is MUCH more reliable than trying to stream NPR audio... I hope this comes true soon, the one thing my iPhone really is missing is FM radio. My last phone was a POS Motorola but you know what? I hung onto it for three years because it had a frickin' FM radio built into it.
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
Nice addition...
10/14, 11:41am reply
I almost never listen to radio these days between the ipod, pandora and XM...but I do find myself from time to time in the gym wishing I had an FM radio as I exercise on the elliptical so that I could tune into the TVs they have running and broadcasting the sound via FM stereo.
Bring it Apple!
dpicardi
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2006