We know what you're thinking, how dare that
new iPod nano have features your premium
iPhone and
iPod touch handhelds don't? Well, if this
9 to 5 Mac rumor has any merit, Apple is right there with you and has a solution in the works. According to said whispers, a Radio app is in the works to capitalize on the recent models' latent FM tuner. It'll either be standalone or integrated into the iPod app, and either way it'll be able to work in the background while you browse other, not so fortunate apps. The apparent cause for delay is work on a feature that'll identify the songs and link you to the appropriate iTunes page for purchase. As always, this is just a rumor, so do yourself a favor and try not to dwell on it too much, k?
posted Oct 13th 2009 8:54PM
Wait...does this make the iPhone a kirf?
How dare AT&T charge $70++ for a cellphone bill............
Pandora FTW
Phoenix for the win.
Not until the iphone gets dual SIM slots.
Considering this feature has been available on the nano for a month, I'm guessing they solved the problem...
Steve Jobs doesn't want the iPhone/Touch to be the Zune HD's biyatch. Not that Zune HD has that much of a hardware edge.
So when did the nut take over the nut house?
I thought that Steve Jobs thought that people thought that FM radio was pointless to have in their iPod... and now they're finally including this not-exactly-new tech in their product... and just watch how they'll spin this one! This is gonna be fun!
Well, it IS a great gaming device, so...
*shrugs*
The chip they use is capable of doing it, so if they can charge $5-10 for the update, why not?
Previously you probably either had to pay more for that functionality in a wireless chip and/or it took up more room. Now that it's already in that tiny multifunctional Broadcom chip they were already using, there's no reason not to activate it I suppose...
@Dohnuts
If I bought and paid for the hardware when I bought my iTouch, then why should I have to pay extra to use something that I already paid for? You yourself complained that some games on the Zune HD shows ads when launching, so I would think that you would be against needing to do extra to use what you paid for.
I have an iPhone and I still don't care about MMS or having a radio. I think Apple only added it because of all the Anti-Apple whiners and bitches. These people complain about the iPhone (that they will never buy anyway) not having certain features, but when those features are added, they still complain and say what you guys are saying.
"I thought you guys didn't need a radio. Ha ha."
No, we still don't need it, but it's not like we were the ones complaining about it.
@NohOne
sure you did pay for the hardware but did you pay for the software, ah no.
After all, you might buy a computer with a thumping grahpic chip, but it doesn't do anything unless you buy a game that uses it.
But then again maybe you are moaning because you just steal stuff. If you are such the hacker then code up an app tha uses the radio function yourself n move it on Cydia and stop bitchin about having to "maybe" give respect to someone else who "maybe" wastin their good hours doing it for you...
It's a freakin rumor anyway, I would guess that if it links you to iTunes for purchases it'll be free
Steve is still correct. You DON'T need a radio, and almost no-one will use this. If anything, this, and the Nano camera, are showing how dusty the entire "iPod" concept is at this point. They are really stretching to figure out how to get people to buy new iPods. Everyone has a camera in their phone, who needs one in a Nano? Furthermore, you can tell how desperate Apple was to shoehorn a camera in the Nano by the way they parked the lens right under where your finger wants to be! I know, the sensor wouldn't fit behind the LCD (where it should have been), but since when does Apple make compromises like that to a user interface? The answer is, "When they are desperate!". A Nano camera and iPod/iPhone FM radio are features that sound good for two minutes, but will never get used. I'm sure Steve knows all this, but what else can he do when he sees a whole product category running flat.
BTW. Of course the iPod Touch *should* have a camera because it's a pocket-able computer, and a camera can sell more apps.
On the off chance that you guys didn't catch that, what I said was the ability to charge again for an update would be a good rationale for Apple activating the FM receiver. I WASN'T DEFENDING THAT PRACTICE, I WAS MAKING FUN OF IT. Good God, people are stupid.
I left FM radio decades ago because off too many annoying screaming ads every 2 minutes.
Now everytime I turn on the radio in the car I find myself reaching for the skip, forward or remind buttons, only to be disapointed. I still could care less about FM on the iPods (ads are still there) but its nice that you could now rewind and fast forward.
This might give me a reason to upgrade my 3G
So Apple finally invented radio so that the remaining lot can immediately jump the bandwagon and parise SJ for (t)his invention.
I wonder if they'll activate my iPod touch's camera too... oh, wait. ;.;
i lol'ed =)
yeah seriously what a fail, they had to take out the camera and then cant get the radio to work? i know steve jobs has been sick..but i mean he cant do evvvverything
Aww PLEASE make this useable on the 1st Gen iPod Touch!!! I've always wanted a radio on it, but noooo apple was too hard headed back then
Not happening. The bluetooth/FM/Wi-Fi chip was introduced in the 2G touch, and the bluetooth/FM/FM transmitting/Wi-Fi chip is in the 3G. 2G touch owners would be lucky to see FM, and 1G doesn't have a chance (having a Wi-Fi only wireless chip).
FM Radio on a mobile phone...now that's innovation!!
Maybe not, but I'll still take it. The one radio station I do listen to in the morning has an app, but trying to listen over 3g can be fairly frustrating on my walk to school. This would be a nice addition.
Yawn. Welcome to the party, Apple. My N70 has been doing this, and 2MP pix and video and MP3 player years ago (really, like before an iPod 5G years ago). Took you long enough..
Yeah, soupdbun, but this sort of thing is for the rest of the world that doesn't have an N70. Do you really think companies shouldn't add features that other companies already had? I doubt that.
Does that mean it will work with 2G iPod Touches?
doubt it apple wants u 2 shellout $300 for a $20 object
If they can do it, they will. Any reason to charge for another firmware update.
There's an FM tuner in my iPhone?
The iPod touch 2G and iPhone 3G have multifunctional Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/FM receiving chips, and the iPod touch 3G has a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/FM receiving and transmitting chip. Broadcom is just that awesome.
Interesting. I didn't realize that it had the capability. Thanks for the response.
So the 2g might be able to get this if its true, please be true, I actually like listening to the radio, for interviews with my favorite artist when they come 2 town.
Ohh wow, Zune has had this for years. iPhone fail.
Feels good to finally be able to say something like that...
Hold on... they have a problem getting it to work?
When the same tagging/id function appeared in the second generation Zune firmware a loooong time ago?
...But, this will allow you to then purchase the song from iTunes if you want, on the spot over 3G or WiFi into the device. That's a little different from the Zune making a note of the song's tag.
You are able to do just that with Zune HD. You can add items to your cart and if you have a subscription download them straight from there.
You can do that with a regular Zune too (Not the 3g part though).
A lot of questions today.
i hate how apple "activates" hardware later.... bluetooth..cough..
and it will cost $9.99 to use
Yeah, $9.99... monthly... via itunes...
Kyle I hope you know how much you sound like an idiot.
If apple EVER charged a monthly fee for activating a feature like this maybe i would give you the benefit of the doubt, but they haven't so your just a sad fool.
@kyle
Monthly? You sure that's not ZUNEPASS you're thinking of?
They're integrating it? Really? They just put out an ad advertising an app that can do just this...
Htc diamond from sprint has an fm radio built in. You just haveto flash a custom rom on it because sprint thinks their sprint radio is better. Fm radio on iPhone would be a nice addition.
Early adopting sucks.
Early adopting Zune owners have the same firmware as the newest HDD model, for free.
What, an FM player for a media player and phone? What's next, flash on the camera?!1
Don't be insane, Jason! This type of "innovation" only happens once a year.
There's no way they can charge people for this. Free application please?
Pheonix, hell yeah!
Another new $10 apple tax :(
what sh*tty treatment of customers, make you buy the stuff twice
I'll never buy another apple product - idiotware for the uninformed
You bought a device with 527 features. You didn't buy a device with 528 features. Get over it, pay for the upgrade or don't get it.
"Get over it, pay for the upgrade or don't get it."
Ok seriously, I don't care about Dansm's short-sighted comment, but you're telling people to just accept it and pay?
What the FUCK?! FM Radio shouldn't be an paid application, it should be a FEATURE. Free at that. Ridiculous
Ok, I was a bit harsh there, sorry. But seriously, this application should be free =\
Why do you think so?
Do you buy a phone with a wall charger, and complain in two months when you decide you need to buy a car charger? Did you expect Microsoft to give you Media Center just because you bought WIndows XP back before Media Center existed?
That's how silly it sounds when you *expect* Apple, or anyone, to just turn around and give you something you didn't buy.
It doesn't matter if you physically bought hardware capable of doing extra stuff. I can have a computer with several gigs of RAM and a video card that will blow your mind, but all that stuff is useless if I'm just going to run DOS. Microsoft expects me to pay for Windows. Computer game vendors expect me to pay for the games. Otherwise, I can expect to be drooling over the 80x25 characters on a black screen running in the first 640KB of memory.
And so is the same with Apple. Get over it.
Whoa, guys... Speaking of "uninformed," Dansm: There's no mention in the article or in the original linked article of this added functionality costing money. Of course it could happen, but again: no one other than people in this comment section have mentioned adding this functionality would cost money.
My first gen Zune has been doing this for years... But, Apple will get the credit for this "revolutionary" feat.
Yeah. Call me when your first gen Zune can play a game of Madden 10 and balance your checkbook.
When the Zune HD was announced and shown with a touch screen, browser, etc, somewhere someone typed "My first gen iPod Touch has been doing this for years..." and sounded like a pretentious dick too.
But many here in this thread only care about when Apple is late with a feature, I'm deducing.
@lil trooper True, however, microsoft didnt leave hardware in their devices for 2 generations of Zunes before activating it for people to use.
I'll stick with my Zune HD. I'd rather have FM Radio AND HD Radio. Oh, and it didn't cost me a penny extra.
Loving my ZuneHD
Not much of a fan of the iPhone or iPod Touch, but at least it's tuned to the world's most awesome radio station. KCRW.
so the iPhone has had an fm radio, and no radio functionality? fail
waiting on these features from apple is like playing a RPG game, constantly waiting a long time to unlock hidden features or "powers" that they put in these devices when they should have made them available at the time of development or at least at the time of release. It all very exhausting.
As much as mac fans hate radios , I think its great you have no idea how wonderful it can be to have when you travel. Especially in far out areas , other countries etc
Dude, really... What makes you think "Mac Fans" hate radios? Did "Windows Fans" hate touch screens until last month when the Zune HD came out? No - that's just a nutty generalization. And then you go on to talk about the virtues of listening to the radio? I'm rolling my eyes over here. Tell us how they drive on the "wrong side of the road" over in England and the picture will be complete.
Psh, my clock radio has had radio for years.
It must not be an Apple clock radio. Theirs doesn't get the radio upgrade until 2010.
Oh, did u mean the Apple Clock Radio? i heard Apple gonna release a firmware to activate the Clock in a few weeks. Lucky you.
Is it true the iPhone 3GS has the FM radio but not the iPhone 3G? Darn!!!!! That has been my biggest pet peeve - can't listen to the TV radio frequency at gyms since the iPhone/iPod doesn't have a radio. Would really like to just bring my iPhone to the gym and it cover my mp3s, FM radio, an phone.
I'm pretty sure it has a receiver built in, its just been disabled up until this point.
The chip in the iPod supports FM radio, but is the antenna hooked up? People have done teardowns, but I haven't seen any mention of the required circuitry to drive the radio being present.
The antenna has always been on the headphone.
That's actually a good point. If the radio chip isn't hooked directly up to the headphone jack to use that as an antenna(ala the zune/zune hd) then there's no way a software update can enable it. Anyone know the answer to this?
There's a bit more to hooking up an FM receiver than just running a wire to the chip. You'd need at least a couple of ferrites and a few extra caps. Like I said, I haven't seen any prodding at the hardware that say that any of this is there.
The FM receiver is already used for the Nike+, according to the original article. So it could be that the chipset uses an antenna that can already handle it. I'm hoping they enable the FM transmitter so I can tune in the iPhone's music in rental cars over the FM radio if there's no line in. That would be useful too.
I am still debating if I should get an I Phone, what do you guys think? Also a I listen to the radio a lot so if I do get one this would be a pretty cool app.
And you used it as an excuse to make a pointless post?
...so I could make another pointless reply.
I should not have dignified you with a response.
Can somebody answer my question:
Will it work on a 2nd gen iPod touch??
I done gone dwelled on it... :(
Watch them BS their way into making the ignorant masses think they're "innovating"
they already went on their shtick about how the nano's fm tagging is an amazing, never before thought of idea
Well my car has FM radio. It's also cheaper to buy AND cheaper to run :D
I'm listening to my local radio stations via CC's iheartradio app (I'm assuming its clearchannel) since the FM reception in my room sucks.
However, if its required to use headphones to get a better reception, then that's bad. And I love to get HD radio, but that didn't make me get the Zune HD.
about the Zune's HR Radio:
HD Radio, which isn’t an FCC open standard but rather a proprietary protocol sold by iBiquity. (HD Radio" is the trademark for iBiquity's proprietary in-band on-channel (IBOC) technology.) According to iBiquity's website the "HD" is simply a brand name and there is no connection with anything "high-definition."
Europe has its own proprietary standards called DRM and DAB. None of these are compatible with each other nor with HD Radio, thus effectively locking the Zune HD's main feature to US broadcasts only. Canada, Europe, Asia and the rest of the world is left in the cold.
Microsoft's love for proprietary everything = massive fail.
Typo correction: HD Radio, not HR Radio.
That doesn't prevent it from receiving normal FM signals, though.
I know this might seem like a cop out. But I'm pretty sure the upgrade costs associated with iPod touches are an accounting thing, rather than an actual money grab.
http://www.macworld.com/article/131991/2008/02/ipodtouch.html
Hence the reason iPhones get free upgrades.
Also I don't care about an FM transmitter, the likelyhood that something will be on the radio that I would rather listen to than my iPod is pretty damn slim. The shit they play on the radio these days...
Only thing I would use it for is to transmit to my cars stereo.
> But I'm pretty sure the upgrade costs associated with iPod touches are an accounting thing, rather than an actual money grab.
Innumerably many device manufacturers release updates for portable devices which add and enhance functionality that was not present in the original device for free all of the time.
There was also an article, I believe it was on ArsTechnica, that described how they were changing how these things were being reported. I forget if it happened already or if it a future thing, but I supose time will tell if losing the "oh, we have to do it for accounting" will make Apple stop charging. My guess: no. If a company gets you used to paying a certain amount for a product, they're very unlikely to stop charging you just because their reasons disappear. Look how long console prices stay high, even when the cost to manufacture drop in half, they're willing to stay at the same pricepoint. Apple is no different. It's just business.
Wow! apple is bringing radio to there players?!?, this has to be a new innovative feature that no other MP3 player / Zune has, Oh wait, EVERY Zune and almost every MP3 player has a built in radio. Eat a turd salad apple, GO ZUNE!
Wow, this has to be an innovative new comment nobody else has made. Oh, wait, it was an obvious comment everyone else made. Eat a turd sandwich, fanboy.
Sorry for the harsh tone and repeating what everyone else has said. I just can't stand apple! I wasn't telling apple buyers to eat a turd salad, just the company, and trust me I am not a Zune fanboy. I owned at least 8 MP3 players before I bought a Zune and will probably be getting something different in less than a year.
WTF is an FM radio?? ... Just googled it, apparently it is a device that lets you listen to 40+ minutes of commmercials to get to a song you didn't care to hear.
Just found out that now you can listen to those commercials in HD .. AWSOME.
Apple don't waste our time with this .. still waiting for the 8-track app.
Wow, sarcasm. Insightful.
Perhaps we should avoid discussing crazy ideas like people going outside of 3G/wifi range and wanting to listen to a live broadcast. Like people who do outdoor activities. Maybe we should avoid discusson of people who work/travel overseas and need a way to get news on the go when their cell phones don't work. Maybe we should avoid discussing guys like me in the Marines who go to Iraq or Afghanistan and can't get news updates when they aren't able to go to the USO for TV/internet, but can listen to the base radio. Certainly we should avoid the talk of a person who lives in a rural area where there are no 3G networks. Maybe we should avoid discussing the fact that FM doesn't require a service contract, doesn't drain your battery by constantly having to talk back to the network, and gives you access to stations that don't have a streaming service, such as a lot of independant or small-town radio stations.
Because discussing those things would enlighten you to the fact that there are many people for whom FM is still a very good thing. Saying "please, no" and being sarcastic about something as ubiquious in life as FM radio is, sadly, a trend I've seen. Guess what? You might not need it or want it, but if it's there, it's not hurting you, and it would help others. Hell, listening to the radio while on a deployment is one of the major reasons I picked up a Zune HD over an iPod.
So yeah. Glad you don't want it, but hey, some of us do.
Just discovered that if you turn down the sound .. you can access the silent movie feature..
Will the awesomeness never cease .. P.S. with the purchase of a kirfy adapter zune owners can get this in pixellated HD. eat it apple!!!