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does the iphone 4 have an FM radio?
- Thread starter rawCpoppa
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...but if it's any consolation, there are numerous apps to listen to local radio stations (over the internet).
Local as in american or can they be used in other countries to pick up their respective local stations?
I heard a while back that Apple are developing an official FM radio app, however they are trying to incorporate the ability to tag a song and buy it via iTunes which is slowing things down. The phone itself does have FM ability built in and so did the 3GS I believe.
To have an fm receiver you would need at least a quarter whip antenna...that would definitely make this antenna a bit bigger! 
so def no fm receiver
so def no fm receiverTo have an fm receiver you would need at least a quarter whip antenna...that would definitely make this antenna a bit bigger!
What's a quarter whip antenna? I think the Zune had an FM radio built in and I don't remember there being an external antenna. Could be wrong as I've never owned a Zune.
Well, I only really have experience with iHeartRadio, and on that there are just a bunch of radio stations, organized by genre or location. I use mine by location so I can listen to the stations I listen to in the car (you can add favorite stations, just like the buttons on your car radio)...but there are some problems:
It doesn't have every station, so it's not really like a normal FM receiver
It's only a pool of a bunch of stations. It's not related to your geographic location at all.
I have no clue if it would work internationally, but I don't see why not.
To have an fm receiver you would need at least a quarter whip antenna...that would definitely make this antenna a bit bigger!
According to ifixit there is an FM Receiver AND FM Transmitter in the iPhone ....
it is part of the Broadcom BCM4329FKUBG Chip.
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone-4-Teardown/3130/3
iFixit mentioned the receiver only however the Broadcom site says that it is a combo FM (receiver and transmitter)
http://www.broadcom.com/products/Bluetooth/Bluetooth-RF-Silicon-and-Software-Solutions/BCM4329
The only missing part of the puzzle is the antenna ... whether it is available or not ... or can the wired headset act as an antenna like other phones ??
and of course you need the software ....
As I pointed out above, what's wrong with the current antenna? Apple says there is nothing wrong with it.
According to ifixit there is an FM Receiver AND FM Transmitter in the iPhone ....
it is part of the Broadcom BCM4329FKUBG Chip.
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone-4-Teardown/3130/3
iFixit mentioned the receiver only however the Broadcom site says that it is a combo FM (receiver and transmitter)
http://www.broadcom.com/products/Bluetooth/Bluetooth-RF-Silicon-and-Software-Solutions/BCM4329
The only missing part of the puzzle is the antenna ... whether it is available or not ... or can the wired headset act as an antenna like other phones ??
and of course you need the software ....
You hit it on the head. For a fm receiver or transceiver you still need the antenna. What most small devices will do it just use the wired headphones as the antenna. The only thing is, it's a very poor antenna. The stations you would be able to receive haveto be pretty strong.
Most portable devices with built in FM radios (iPod nano, zune) use the plugged in headphones as the external antenna.
ooTunes is a great app for listening to internet radio, i listen to BBC Radio 1 on it and it records too
tho i haven't full mastered that yet!Slight derail: any way to increase the effectiveness of external antennas, eg. the nano?
Mine doesn't get that good of reception.
Mine doesn't get that good of reception.
I think you misinterpreted what we're talking about. Apple is not commenting on an FM antenna.
We just don't know at this point if the chip is connected to the headphone socket so it can act as an antenna. We'll probably only find out if Apple releases an app.
Phazer
Phazer
Yes, buy Wunderradio and have access to radio stations throughout the world, neatly indexed.
Take note that Clear Channel doesn't allow any other iPhone app to list its radio stations. You'll have to buy iHeart Radio for those =(
