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Next-Generation iPhone Theoretically Capable of FM Radio Reception and Transmission?

Spanky Deluxe said:
IMO what they really need to add is a compass. Google Maps would be a hell of a lot more useful if after locating myself with GPS, I could tell which direction I'm facing. If you're in an area you don't know and there aren't any street signs then its easy to walk in the wrong direction for a minute or so until you can see that you're gps dot is going the wrong way.
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Uncanny. I was thinking the very same thing just today.
 
I usually don't wait in lines for phones but i may be the 1st there 5th ave store here I come.


I would love this
 
Don't expect this to actually be enabled on the new iPhone. We've waited 2 years for the Bluetooth functionality to be 'enabled' by Apple, so they have a track record of not supporting the full functionality of the chipsets.

Even with iPhone OS 3.0. Bluetooth still isn't fully enabled, only the bits of functionality they wanted to allow have been switched on. So, why would they now start supporting FM radio, something they've resisted doing since the 1st Gen iPod?
 
Big deal. Apple successfully killed off radio for me with Podcasting so I honestly have absolutely no need for radio itself anymore. Besides, having bough an iPod Remote Control that delivered radio I would expect radio on the iPhone to be bad experience as well.

I've never understood why FM radio has been seen as something important that the iPod has lacked.
 
I thought at least FM reception is already available(theoretically) on current Marble produced chip in iPhone 3G and iPod Touch? From what I have heard, Apple either locked the function out or ordered the modified version that leaves out this function.

I think similar thing will happen to this chip too... Apple will remove this feature...
 
emotion said:
However, I don't believe Apple will use the functionality. It doesn't follow their use model for the iPhone.
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Exactly. The fact that this chip has an FM radio means very little - these are mass production parts that go in to many products besides the iPhone. Since FM radio is a typical feature on other devices, it's something Broadcom would build in to a radio chip so that they can cover the needs of all of their customers.

I'm pretty sure this isn't even the first Apple product with an unused FM radio.
 
FM Radio? Why do we need FM radio when we can have streaming internet radio that's better quality and a lot more stations to choose from? I don't see this happening. Someone's messing with MacRumors.
 
FM Radio on iPhone OS 3.0 would be defiantly a reason to upgrade for iPod Touch users like myself. i often prefer to listen to talk radio while at the gym instead of music :p
 
Another worthless feature. I had a phone with an FM radio once...reception sucked, sound sucked (it is FM radio...), and was a waste of my time.
 
FM is being phased out all over the world in favour of digital alternatives. I kind of doubt Apple would add a technology that is in the process of becoming obsolete.
 
TheSpaz said:
FM Radio? Why do we need FM radio when we can have streaming internet radio that's better quality and a lot more stations to choose from? I don't see this happening. Someone's messing with MacRumors.
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In cases when you can't use the internet or so you don't have to.
 
If I remember correctly, the 2nd gen iPod Touch could also utilize that Bt chip for FM transmissions (well as MR mentions itself.. I do remember correctly!)

Obviously FM and Apple dont go together. They frankly havent since a long long time now and I dont see it happening anytime soon..... unless of course they can derive some monetary benefit from the process!
 
Hooray! FM radio! Now I can replace my crystal-clear, DJ-jabber-free Slacker Radio tunes with fuzzy, ad-cluttered old school FM with annoying DJs!

I love progress. ;)
 
Angus Frampton said:
Cool, cant wait 2 upgrade my iphone to 3.0 and listen to the radio. I think this will happen in August.
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Look again... FM transmission is supported by a "NEW" chip which Apple will supposedly use in the next iPhone, not this one! A similar Bt chip though is currently utilized by the 2nd gen iPod Touch, if you're referring to that!
 
FM would be good

I thought the same thing about "who needs it," but it is nice to have on a number of occasions. During a hurricane with no power, the N96 FM radio was nice; walking into stores to hear a song/talk show etc that is in progress is nice; pulling up a show where you don't have good cell reception, but do have radio reception is nice.

In short, there are three things I liked about my Nokia N96 better than my iPhone, but about 100 things that I like better about the iPhone - which is why I have it and not the N96 any more. In my book the N96 wins in these three spots (and loses in the 100 others):
1. 5MP camera
2. MMS
3. FM Radio
[4. Video recording -- forgot this one!]

It seems like MMS and a better camera may be in store for the next version given the rumors. And now MAYBE FM. Adding FM would be welcome here and if it is already included in the chip, won't add extra cost.

TheSpaz said:
FM Radio? Why do we need FM radio when we can have streaming internet radio that's better quality and a lot more stations to choose from? I don't see this happening. Someone's messing with MacRumors.
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