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Samsung phones will have functioning FM chips from now on
Samsung is the latest company to team up with NextRadio to bring FM service to its new phones. The company will unlock FM chips in all its upcoming smartphones in the US and Canada. The bulk of smartphones around the world are manufactured with an FM chip, but hardware makers often do not unlock them.
LG might finally enable FM radios in US phones
Radio might be so last century, but it's a cheap and effective format for broadcasting media -- and it won't cost you any data to tune into. Many foreign-built smartphones actually come with radio tuners, but they're hard to find in devices meant for the US -- if they aren't disabled by carriers. LG is partnering with NextRadio to provide free access to FM radio for users in the Americas who buy the device maker's future smartphones.
Sprint announces FM radio and Entertain Me app bundle for future smartphones
Sprint is hedging a bet that FM radio isn't dead. Today, the Now Network revealed that certain Android and Windows Phone devices will debut this year with support for terrestrial radio stations. The move is a differentiator for Sprint, which is the first US carrier to make such an initiative. As it stands, we're told to expect these smartphones to include the NextRadio tuner app. Not to stop there, Sprint has also revealed an application bundle known as Entertain Me, which will be located in the Sprint Zone on Android devices. Here, users can access Sprint TV and Movies, Sprint Music Plus, Spotify, Slacker, iHeartRadio, Shazam and Rumpus. It's currently unclear whether each of these apps will come pre-installed, or whether we'll find the ability to download the titles individually. Naturally, we're hopeful for the latter -- no matter how good an app is, it's always nice to have a choice. More details follow after the break.