Mike Walker said:Of course the marketplace will decide whether to buy new radios. But as for digital broadcasting, It IS a standard, and no other applications are being accepted. What the public may now "decide" is whether to buy the new radios. They MAY NOT decide to adopt another digital format. It ain't gonna' happen.
Undoubtedly, IBOC is "A Standard." The FCC made it so a couple of weeks ago, but that is not the same thing as being "The Standard." For instance, FMExtra doesn't need to be a "standard," because it plays by the existing rules and needs no FCC approval. In fact, it plays nicely with HD too. I'm sure you'll see them at NAB.
It is very possible that new ideas for digital radio may come along that make both of these technologies look rather antiquated. Only time will tell. The recent approval of the Ibiqity system does not prohibit other technologies from emerging. At one time the U.S. Patent office considered shutting down because they felt that everything worth inventing had already been done. This is a similar situation. In the mean time, the one thing you can be certain of is that "life is uncertain."