Does anybody really want a FM Radio in their cell phone? ???
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FM Radio in cell phones?
- Thread starter Mike Sheridan
- Start date
I never wanted a camera and all of the web enabled stuff that's already in my old Motorola RAZR.
Texting, which I have done once or twice, is less convenient than sending CW.
At least with CW I don't have switch keypad modes, double and triple press buttons, back up and correct wrong letters when the keypad's not paying attention to what I'm doing..
I'm sure I wouldn't like how it would be implemented. Probably wouldn't "let" you ty to listen to weak signals, but insist that it "scan" and only stop when it decided there was enough signal. The speaker is worthless, and I can't use headphones at work for safety reasons. "Hey, look out for that speeding fork truck!" If I have to plug it into an amp to use it, why not just use a real radio? Where's the "line" output on this thing? Where's the "tone" control?
Can they figure out an app that will let me send texts by plugging in a straight CW key or even better, a vibroplex?
I'll get a knee-strap key and REALLY be cool, walking down the street, wiggling the bug.
Texting, which I have done once or twice, is less convenient than sending CW.
At least with CW I don't have switch keypad modes, double and triple press buttons, back up and correct wrong letters when the keypad's not paying attention to what I'm doing..
I'm sure I wouldn't like how it would be implemented. Probably wouldn't "let" you ty to listen to weak signals, but insist that it "scan" and only stop when it decided there was enough signal. The speaker is worthless, and I can't use headphones at work for safety reasons. "Hey, look out for that speeding fork truck!" If I have to plug it into an amp to use it, why not just use a real radio? Where's the "line" output on this thing? Where's the "tone" control?
Can they figure out an app that will let me send texts by plugging in a straight CW key or even better, a vibroplex?
I'll get a knee-strap key and REALLY be cool, walking down the street, wiggling the bug.
Mike Sheridan said:
I wouldn't mind having one, but with the kind of antenna they're going to be able to stuff in there, the only stations I'm going to be able to get are the three that are on our tower...
Seriously, it's hard to imagine such a thing being able to get any useful reception.
I already have a radio in my iPhone. It's a computer. It came with earbuds. My FM stations provide free apps. I download the apps and listen via cell, and I have unlimited service.
The big issue, whether you listen to radio via app or FM is the battery usage. Until the device companies improve battery time, using a phone as a portable radio has time limitations.
My first cell phone was mostly a battery. It was half the size of a car battery. Over the years, they battery has gotten smaller. So I'm hopeful in a few years, this won't be an issue.
The big issue, whether you listen to radio via app or FM is the battery usage. Until the device companies improve battery time, using a phone as a portable radio has time limitations.
My first cell phone was mostly a battery. It was half the size of a car battery. Over the years, they battery has gotten smaller. So I'm hopeful in a few years, this won't be an issue.
TheBigA said:
My Android phone has similar apps. Some work better than others.
Some of the apps, as well as some streaming radio sites, shut the stream off after about an hour, especially after 10 PM local time. From what I understand, this is a music-licensing issue of some kind, rather than a technical one. The AOL/CBS player does this on music stations. So does WBGO Newark, both on their website and their Android app.
I have to recharge my phone every night. Fortunately, it's a Motorola so it is still usable while recharging as long as you aren't doing too much with it.
G
Ger
Guest
cell phone with radio is good and can let you tune in two station when your on you travels but the cell make . ie apple make no money out it .. itunes come to mind... i got the iphone 4 and when roaming it not cheap to surf the net to hook up two the station you wich to listen two ...
i think the radio Industry sould lobby the cell makes two add radio in all phones .... only think i got with my new phone was a flash ... yep eee
i have two carry a phone with radio ,,, out the old walkman that sony made all then years ago .. 1992 bought in spain in Palma de Mallroca , it been two Usa all over the EEU and Caribbean Islands with my MD unit aswell recording stations
radio is very powerfull group from USA and EEU we sould get two get and lobby them
Ger
i think the radio Industry sould lobby the cell makes two add radio in all phones .... only think i got with my new phone was a flash ... yep eee
i have two carry a phone with radio ,,, out the old walkman that sony made all then years ago .. 1992 bought in spain in Palma de Mallroca , it been two Usa all over the EEU and Caribbean Islands with my MD unit aswell recording stations
radio is very powerfull group from USA and EEU we sould get two get and lobby them
Ger
As the cost of Internet access rises on your phone, listening to FM - which won't eat bits - will become more attractive.
The percentage of cell phone users with smart phones and Internet access plans continues to grow, and the bandwidth demands of these users is growing exponentially. The telecoms are having a hard time keeping up with demand, especially for 3G and 4G phones. So, the price of access is rising because supply is limited, and demand is growing. AT&T, the lone service provider for iPhone users, is developing tiered data plans to charge more for heavy users. At some point, people are going to preserve their precious bits for important stuff, even if it means that they have to put up with commercials, or hit the "next" button.
The percentage of cell phone users with smart phones and Internet access plans continues to grow, and the bandwidth demands of these users is growing exponentially. The telecoms are having a hard time keeping up with demand, especially for 3G and 4G phones. So, the price of access is rising because supply is limited, and demand is growing. AT&T, the lone service provider for iPhone users, is developing tiered data plans to charge more for heavy users. At some point, people are going to preserve their precious bits for important stuff, even if it means that they have to put up with commercials, or hit the "next" button.
The thing I want to say about this issue is that the CEA is more responsible for the problems facing OTA radio than Clear Channel. The Consumer Electronics Association is opposed to any mandate to installing FM chips in phones. But the fact is the Consumer Electronics Industry has almost completely killed the portable AM/FM radio market. When was the last time you saw or heard about a cool new AM/FM portable being sold? You have to go back 20 years to the CD Walkman. That was it. Since then, an entire generation of people has grown up thinking a radio is somthing that either comes with a car or a computer. Not something people can buy by itself. Jerry Del Colliano was complaining that he didn't see any boom boxes on the beach. That's because they're so "last century." Why did the electronics industry stop creating and devloping new radios to replace the boom box? While the Consumer Electronics Ass'n is being obstinant and refusing to install FM in phones, I'd like to see a Congressional investigation into why this industry deserted the portable radio market. If there was a little pressure exerted, maybe they'd realize it's better to work WITH broadcasters rather than work against us.
Big A you make a very good point, I think it is time to put a little pressure where it needs to be put. The main manufactures of different radio and electronic equiment need to come up with 21 century radio's or something that they can tell the public that here's the new 21 century boomboxes or walkmans leading into the future, add new features ect.... Also lets make some radio's that have computer or cellphone stuff built in not the other way around.
I really think XM was on to something a few years ago when they sold their radios with the ability to record digital copies of songs. Radio is simply a distribution system. It's a way to get music to the people. Tagging is a good idea, but there should be more opportunities for people to hear music on the radio, and then buy those songs immediately over the air. Use the sub carriers or HD channels for that purpose. Radio companies can't build and market these devices. It's up to the electronics manufacturers to do it. They have lost their way, maybe because they're all foreign owned. They aren't responsing to the needs of the marketplace. And as a result, the radio industry is suffering.
Here is a neat thought, when radio creates a product that people want then you will see a demand in radio again. The NAB demanding radio receivers in non-radio devices is silly. They want to force a disturbing channel when all they offer, for the most part, is a boring linear delivery system in an interactive world. Perhaps they need to embrace technology instead of forcing an antiquated system on the public. Humorous when you consider broadcasters want no government regulation in how they do things but want the government to subsidize their industry with actions such as this. But then again, most radio executives and the hierarchy of the NAB believe kids still listen to radio on their way to the malt shop or the sock hop.
radiorob2.0 said:
That is the tail wagging the dog. Programming on TV hasn't changed one bit, but I bought two brand new TVs in the last year. It's not the content that makes you buy a device. It's the device. People already own radios, so they don't need to buy new ones. Unless there's something about the radio that's new or different. So far, there isn't one. So people keep what they've got. I haven't bought a new radio in 20 years.
You can't force feed people something they don't want. Radio as a music medium is over like it or not. Why put up with long commercial sets and someone else's narrowly defined idea of what you should like? Today's mp3 players auto CD player etc, let us hear what we want when we want.
Most stations have given up trying to make a personal connection with the listener becoming little more than someone else's iPod with commercials. Blame the radio station owners who's idea is take the money and run as they come up with cheaper and cheaper ways to run their half dozen stations.
The only thing the broadcast industry can do is mandate FM radios in cell phones? I don't see that as a solution. Most listeners are trying to get away from the narrow confines of FM radio's limited content.
Most stations have given up trying to make a personal connection with the listener becoming little more than someone else's iPod with commercials. Blame the radio station owners who's idea is take the money and run as they come up with cheaper and cheaper ways to run their half dozen stations.
The only thing the broadcast industry can do is mandate FM radios in cell phones? I don't see that as a solution. Most listeners are trying to get away from the narrow confines of FM radio's limited content.
Mike Sheridan said:
And ironically, the end result is using devices that present an equally limited form of content.
Just a couple days ago, Pandora, the internet radio station that has built its reputation on finding new music for subscribers, launched 20 internet radio stations, all built around the exact limited formats listeners get from FM.
You can't blame the NAB for trying to get everything the radio industry has wanted for years in one ax stroke with this PRA deal, like getting FM on a cell phone.
Personally I don't get all the antagonism surrounding this issue, particularly from the CEA. Europe has had FM in cell phones for years and still does.
http://europe.nokia.com/services-and-apps/music/nokia-music/fm-and-internet-radio
I don't see a masses of Europeans rising up in a heated lather because FM radio exists on their phones. Whether they use the function or not is immaterial. It's there if they want it and the radio industry, or at least FM broadcasters, benefit because of it.
Now I can definitely see the CTIA getting their shorts in a twist over the inclusion of FM radio because of the possible threat that consumers might want to hear music on a technology that is bandwidth efficient and free instead of one that relies on an expensive data plan from the telcos.
Personally I don't get all the antagonism surrounding this issue, particularly from the CEA. Europe has had FM in cell phones for years and still does.
http://europe.nokia.com/services-and-apps/music/nokia-music/fm-and-internet-radio
I don't see a masses of Europeans rising up in a heated lather because FM radio exists on their phones. Whether they use the function or not is immaterial. It's there if they want it and the radio industry, or at least FM broadcasters, benefit because of it.
Now I can definitely see the CTIA getting their shorts in a twist over the inclusion of FM radio because of the possible threat that consumers might want to hear music on a technology that is bandwidth efficient and free instead of one that relies on an expensive data plan from the telcos.
I didn't buy an iPod specifically because it didn't have an FM radio, and it couldn't record. I bought a Sandisk MP3 player because it had a much better feature set and expandable memory for a lot less money than an iPod.
There are alternatives available. People need to look past the advertising and search out better value. Look at the problems with the new iPhone, and with the network that doesn't have the capacity to support it. Yet people spend hundreds on a technology that doesn't deliver what it promises.
There are alternatives available. People need to look past the advertising and search out better value. Look at the problems with the new iPhone, and with the network that doesn't have the capacity to support it. Yet people spend hundreds on a technology that doesn't deliver what it promises.
SirRoxalot said:
My iPod doesn't record it downloads. My computer does the recording if I need it to and also rips CD's much faster than recording in real time. I'm happy with my iPod and I don't miss it not having an FM radio. This from someone who used to listen to the radio faithfully all the time.
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