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FM radio for iPhone!, FM radio for iPhone!

Update that gets a FM radio for iPhone!

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Jul 4, 2012 2:27 AM

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Posted on Jul 4, 2012 3:07 AM

Well, no update on an existing phone can do that. It's a hardware issue.


I believe that Griffin make a FM radio that plugs into the iPhone and can be controlled through an app. But the latest reviews are not positive.


Be aware that FM reception on a phone can be very hit and miss......

362 replies

Jul 9, 2012 4:53 AM in response to carlisthename

Hello all,

I returned to listening radio these days, and I realised iPhone does not have FM build-in.


************ Apple, please add this function to iPhone 5, and iOS6.0.1 ************

************ I do not want to use my 3G bandwidth just to listen to local radio stations ************


FM is FTA (free-to-air), requires very few watts of power, and I do not want to go buy another device (or Android phone), just because iPhone 5 would not support this!!!

And i also, do not wish to carry extra devices with me, dedicated for FM radio.


If i need to write or call someone to make this happen, let me know who to contact please.


Thank you in advance.


PS: according to the hardware specification of iPhone4, the IC used for WiFi/Bluetooth is BCM4329FKUBG, and according to the manfiacturer specifications,for this chip, it DOES CONTAIN FM receiving capabilites build-in.

Jul 9, 2012 7:00 AM in response to carlisthename

"tonefox", thank you for the link, I will send my input


Speaking of streaming local radio online, here is some math....

-- Sample bit rate of 48 kbits/s = 21.0937499136 MB/hour

-- Sample bit rate of 64 kbits/s = 28.1249998848 MB/hour

How much will cost you, to listen local radio online? - you do the math

I am not going to post the higher bit rates.... you get the point


I use TuneIn as an app for streaming, and I am happy with it when I can stream online over WiFi.


In regard to the hardware - the aerial is as always the cable of the headset and as for the rest, it is part of the phone already.


Anyways, I wish iPhone to have FM radio available to me to use.

For a $1000 for it (the approx price in EU for 64GB version), I think its not much to ask.

Jul 9, 2012 8:48 AM in response to kossta

After what I spent on my car, the least you'd expect Ford to do is add satnav..........


With respect, you got what you decided to pay for. I'm not clear what continuing obligation Apple has to keep adding things to a phone that you bought as it was, just because you'd like them. Not sure that would happen with any other product.

Jul 9, 2012 9:03 AM in response to kossta

iPhones will NEVER have analogue FM radio receivers. The audio and reception quality in ALL smartphone FM radios is awful. Only the strongest local stations come in at all. Having to use the headset cable as the antenna obviates using a BT headset.


FM radio itself is circling the drain and virtually all stations are available over the internet. FM is obsolete technology and definitely not Apple. Forgetaboutit.

Jul 9, 2012 9:36 AM in response to modular747

modular747 wrote:


The Nano is something that's more often used for fitness and exercising. It does NOT have WiFi.


If you ever used FM with the Nano, you'd know why it isn't available in any other Apple device... The only advantage FM has is the ability to tune in local FM rebroadcasts of TV audio provided by some gyms. Even that reception is often crap!


I own an iPod Nano, and I've actually used it and I also know that it doesn't have WiFi.


The point I'm making is that I don't think the OP's request isn't unreasonable.


But feel free to keep telling him why he shouldn't want it/doesn't need it.


Matt

Jul 9, 2012 9:52 AM in response to Matthew Morgan

The point I'm making is that I don't think the OP's request isn't unreasonable.

But feel free to keep telling him why he shouldn't want it/doesn't need it.

The fact that the Nano utilizes FM in place of WiFi has nothing to do with either the utility of providing BOTH, nor the technical feasibility of doing it. As already stated, the headset cable is needed to act as the FM antenna. This isn't an issue with the Nano which has no Bluetooth, but would defeat using Bluetooth headsets when using fm in the iPhone.. Adding one feature that defeats another is poor design, particularly when it doesn't work well...


Nowhere did I try to tell him, or anyone, why he doesn't want or "need" anything. I'm stating why it isn't going to happen. No well designed device can be all things to all people, regardless of cost.

FM radio for iPhone!, FM radio for iPhone!

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