Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Next-Generation iPhone Theoretically Capable of FM Radio Reception and Transmission?
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
gym
The gym I go to has wifi, so you'd think I'd be happy with my current iPod Touch and its lack of FM capability.
But two things make FM attractive; the TVs in the gym use a local FM transmitter for audio; right now I'm unable to listen to the programs showing on the big ol' screens in the cardio room.
Second, when I run outside, I'd love to pick up NPR. I can do this via wifi indoors, but I think it's silly that Apple has refused to incorporate this when other players have done it for YEARS now.
What has taken so long? Is it their obsessive need to ensure a 'quality' user experience? Or is it their desire to profit from third-party deals for FM tuners? Here's hoping they fix this with the next round of iPhones/iPod Touches.
The gym I go to has wifi, so you'd think I'd be happy with my current iPod Touch and its lack of FM capability.
But two things make FM attractive; the TVs in the gym use a local FM transmitter for audio; right now I'm unable to listen to the programs showing on the big ol' screens in the cardio room.
Second, when I run outside, I'd love to pick up NPR. I can do this via wifi indoors, but I think it's silly that Apple has refused to incorporate this when other players have done it for YEARS now.
What has taken so long? Is it their obsessive need to ensure a 'quality' user experience? Or is it their desire to profit from third-party deals for FM tuners? Here's hoping they fix this with the next round of iPhones/iPod Touches.
there is a point for FM
FM radio is dead. it's all one big corporate station playing the same manufactured crap.
but, if the iphone can broadcast to FM, that means wirelessly playing music from the phone in your car.
im in.
FM radio is dead. it's all one big corporate station playing the same manufactured crap.
but, if the iphone can broadcast to FM, that means wirelessly playing music from the phone in your car.
im in.
I disagree, from what Apple demoed of OS3.0 it seems their strategy is to open the phone as much as possible to developers. They have a good lead at the moment and want to ensure a lasting position by ensuring support from developers and strong integration with other devices.
Therefore adding the FM capabilities simply so the phone can communicate with car steros and units is not a stretch by any means.
I would think AT&T would require Apple to activate the AM/FM functionality, as it saves network bandwidth. Users should want it activated too, because it will free up network bandwidth.
Thinking big involves Bluetooth for interfacing to cars. Most modern car audio has bluetooth these days. A2DP support is coming though so Apple appear to be on the case.
That's what bluetooth is for. Have you tried using short range FM transmitters in a car? Even the good ones have terrible quality.
Satellite is dead. I can get Internet radio now - why go backwards and add FM or satellite??
Transmitting on FM (certainly on a frequency available to a car stereo) is illegal in the UK without a licence.
I thought about that, but don't have bluetooth in my car. Nor do the majority of cars currently occupying the streets. Let's hope for both.
Not all of us are so fortunate. I have an '05 Trailblazer with no bluetooth, not everyone who has an iPhone is driving a car that is 3 years old or newer. And for the people saying they shouldn't add it...It's going to be in there regardless, it's apart of the chip functionality, why not activate it?
Oh, it will decrease battery life you say? Well, it won't decrease yours if you don't use it, let me use my battery life the way I please.
I know here in the states that if the transmission is <30 feet then you don't need a FCC license. I'm sure it's similar in the UK. How powerful of a FM signal do you think the iPhone can generate?
It's really only the new Mercedes' and Lexus' (Lexi?
) that are starting to have that. Aftermarket stereos have had the functionality for YEARS, but factory systems are always nearly a decade behind (I remember how maybe a year or two back many manufacturers were making a big deal out of their cars' stereos being able to play these crazy things called MP3's... Whilst aftermarket, even dirt cheap aftermarket, stereos were doing that since the late 90's...
Who listens to FM? That's like gluing a giant L on your forehead.
If they could make it transmit to a car stereo, though, this would be awesome.
The "pope" phone.
If they could make it transmit to a car stereo, though, this would be awesome.
The "pope" phone.
Support for bluetooth in car audio? It depends on whether you're in the US or not
. From a manufacturer POV it's very cheap to implement.Most cars these days also have ipod docks. It's the only redeeming feature of some new models and is very easy to add to older models too.
Remember FM transmitters for phones are low energy and hence very low quality. A2DP is a much better option.
I personally know several people who specifically bought a non-Apple MP3 player because they wanted to be able to listen to FM radio. It's probably the number 1 reason people I know of decide against buying an iPod. It would be such an easy thing for Apple to correct... Sometimes I feel like Apple disables features out of principal rather than because it's what consumers want