National Association of Broadcasters Again Urges Apple to Add FM Radio to iPhones

[ctone]

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is what would work in these situations, and it uses FM in VHF range. If the only goal is for emergency information purposes, then the receiver could be set up for that. The existing Weather Alert radio system in the US is designed to automatically activate receivers when alerts are sent out.

The problem is that although the system allows for use in many types of disasters including wildfires, toxic chemical releases, etc., in reality it is almost exclusively used for severe weather alerts because it is operated by the National Weather Service and NOAA, and they are obviously focused on weather events.

Weather Alert Radios certainly can save lives in tornado prone areas for example, since they will sound alerts loud enough to wake people up and then automatically tune to the alert broadcast. These radios and alerts would have also certainly saved lives in the recent Northern California wildfires where residents were unable to receive cell phone alerts due to the cell system being down in the area. It seems feasible that FM receivers with Weather Alert capabilities built into mobile phones could be beneficial in these situations, provided the alerts are sent out.

 

[Marx55]

Scenarios like this reveal the true commitment of companies to people and the environment. But since they are usually too busy making money instead, there is a good final solution. Regulate it by law. End of problem. Forever.

 

[broadbean]

I'm not sure what kind of crappy smartphone you bought.

Audio playback:
Up to 80 hours​

https://www.apple.com/iphone-6s/specs/

I get that, but wouldn't you rather turn off your iPhone and save it in case you needed it if you did get signal, rather than leaving it on as a radio and could be purchased separately for under $5?

 

[JPack]

I get that, but wouldn't you rather turn off your iPhone and save it in case you needed it if you did get signal, rather than leaving it on as a radio and could be purchased separately for under $5?

How many people are carrying a separate radio with them at all times like their iPhone?

 

[bollman]

In other parts of the world, where safety is better, we have public radio via FM. When the **** hits the fan, civil defense sirens go off, and everybody knows that public radio, channel 4 is where you tune in to get the info.
FM signals travels far, and the "network" does not get congested. In a city, cell towers may have as small range as 2-3 miles!
There's been a lot of talk of closing the FM transmitters, and replace it with DAB. There's no real interest though, as FM receivers are everywhere, have great coverage and are essential to the safety of the general public.

 

[C DM]

I get that, but wouldn't you rather turn off your iPhone and save it in case you needed it if you did get signal, rather than leaving it on as a radio and could be purchased separately for under $5?

The ability of people to have and use separate flashlights didn't get in the way of that functionality being available on smartphones as well.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

I think it would be great if Apple could take a note an add this feature in future iPhones in particular when it is not that complicated. In such crisis FM radio can really be a life safer. I am not saying re-engineer today line up but add it next year or the year after.

 

[firewood]

And if you are dead set on FM, why not argue for a short wave receiver so that you can do morse code??? After all, that in theory could be used in some extremely rare emergency as well.

Shortwave radio and Morse Code are far better for long distance communication from inside a disaster zone. Works 2 ways, not just for one-way broadcast. So why not require a Morse Code key and coax antenna jack on every iPhone? Maybe also include 40M of wire in the iPhone box so people can throw a SW antenna over a tree after a disaster?

 

[gnasher729]

FM will be useless in catastrophic situations without power.

My iPhone works for many hours without power. And places that really, really need power can use diesel generators. Actually, with the right equipment you can use any car as a powerful generator for many hours.

 

[FoxMcCloud]

I've no idea what the radio service is like in the USA but for me in the UK I would pay extra to NOT have that facility on my next iPhone!
Garbage, especially regional stations.
Isn't radio dead like newspapers anyway?

FM is being dropped in favour of DAB isnt it?

 

[laz232]

shhhhhh. we just want free radio
[doublepost=1508362054][/doublepost]I'm honestly considering getting the iPod nano because it has an fm radio in it

Why not get a real FM radio - 1/10th the price, supports AM as well as FM, AA batteries (easy to install rechargables, get Eneloop NiMH), probably more durable...

 

[Dualica 01]

Meanwhile Norway has cut out fm signals and all radio listening goes via DAB+ and internet radio...

 

[chochazel]

Sure the Broadcom chip may/may not have FM capabilities...only Apple can tell us for sure.

I'm sure Broadcom can tell us, and anyone performing a teardown can see whether it's an off the shelf chip perfectly easily. It's not magic.

 

[jkruehne]

Yeah, just like my iPod Nano... oh... maybe not.

Headphone(cables) act as antennas ;-)
I want FM in my iPhone !

 

[scaramoosh]

I wish they’d come back too

 

[iGeek2014]

FM is being dropped in favour of DAB isnt it?

At some point, yes.

The former FM signals are then being re-used for cellular spectrum then I think.

 

[1applerules1]

Obviously, Apple doesn't want to enable it worrying that it might drive some Apple Music subscribers away.

I subscribed to apple music because the radio today sucks. Today's artists can't make decent music anymore.

 

[dmw7]

I am entirely unbothered by the omission of FM (although confused as to why an FM chip was included in earlier iPhones if not intended to be used). I wouldn't use FM ordinarily because the sound quality is poor. As for the mooted disaster "lifeline" that it is supposed to be; well, I can't foresee a disaster so catastrophic that FM would be the only source of information left functioning.

However, I must take issue with this:

"It's time for Apple to step up to the plate and put the safety of the American people first,"

iPhone is sold globally. Disasters happen globally. What's so special about the safety of Americans in particular?

 

[alexgowers]

I don't think it's to do with any kind of competition with Apple Music or other services.

It's purely that apple wants to avoid bad experiences and FM radio is certainly bad, patchy, terrible audio fidelity and much more. Not having FM has forced apple to support alternatives that ARE better, using home WiFi or mobile networks even in disasters pretty much guarantees info coming in and also the big advantage over FM, access out!!

FM just doesn't have a place in the reality of the tech world we live in. A cheap home FM radio would get better reception and costs next to nothing used.

So why are they really kicking up a fuss about FMs absence. Broadcasters and advertisers are loosing money with a shrinking userbase for FM, if they were to get FM in the iPhone they could charge more for ad time and reverse the trend. This is completely backward thinking IMO it should stop at this point.

 

[BvizioN]

Obviously, Apple doesn't want to enable it worrying that it might drive some Apple Music subscribers away.

If I wanted to listen to adds and trashy talks instead of just music I would just go ahead and download one of the countless radio apps.

 

[macgabe]

This is ridiculous, seems like everyone has an opinion how they could design the perfect Apple iPhone. Like Homer Simpson designing the perfect car. Time to butt out already! Or better still make your own phone.

 

[broadbean]

How many people are carrying a separate radio with them at all times like their iPhone?

Keep one handy when you're expecting something to hit prior.
[doublepost=1508400313][/doublepost]

The ability of people to have and use separate flashlights didn't get in the way of that functionality being available on smartphones as well.

No, not for occasional use, and hadn't stopped me buying a flashlight either. Horses for courses.

 

[vmachiel]

Obviously, Apple doesn't want to enable it worrying that it might drive some Apple Music subscribers away.

NAB only wants it to keep Radio relevant. They are a lobby. Nothing more.

 

[Lancer]

Why would Apple want to incorporate an 80yo technology of FM into there smart phone, do any other phone makers have that feature any more?

 

[Jsameds]

Apple don't want to put an FM radio in as a ploy to make people subscribe to Apple Music.

Which is why iPhones didn't had radio in them in the days before Apple Music...And also there are countless free radio apps on the App Store...And there's other paid streaming services available also...Oh and don't forget YouTube, Safari MP3 support and ability to load your own music on to the damn thing.

But yeah it's a ploy to make you subscribe to Apple Music..