The Hidden FM Radio Inside Your Pocket, And Why You Can't Use It

[BenG]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechcons...ou-cant-use-it

You may not know it but most of today's smartphones have FM radios inside of them. But the FM chip is not activated on two-thirds of devices. That's because mobile makers have the FM capability switched off.

[faithbw]

That's not surprising. I remember my old Nokia candybar phone having FM radio. I can't imagine why a more advanced phone like a modern smartphone wouldn't have an FM radio.

Originally Posted by faithbw

I can't imagine why a more advanced phone like a modern smartphone would have an FM radio.

Four good reasons for enabling the FM radio: it is much less expensive than streaming audio, it is more convenient than downloading new music and podcasts, the phone's storage capacity is limited, and it offers more local content.

Another usage case is to receive information during an emergency. Cellular networks are frequently overloaded and aren't equipped with sufficient backup power for extended power outages. A simple FM radio (standalone or integrated into a phone) offers the opportunity to receive information without relying upon word-of-mouth.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by BWinmill

Four good reasons for enabling the FM radio: it is much less expensive than streaming audio, it is more convenient than downloading new music and podcasts, the phone's storage capacity is limited, and it offers more local content.

It also doesn't depend on having an Internet connection. There are very large parts of the UK (mainly in the countryside) which either have no mobile phone signal at all, or a very weak voice signal, but no Internet connection.

[faithbw]

Originally Posted by BWinmill

Four good reasons for enabling the FM radio: it is much less expensive than streaming audio, it is more convenient than downloading new music and podcasts, the phone's storage capacity is limited, and it offers more local content.

Another usage case is to receive information during an emergency. Cellular networks are frequently overloaded and aren't equipped with sufficient backup power for extended power outages. A simple FM radio (standalone or integrated into a phone) offers the opportunity to receive information without relying upon word-of-mouth.

I meant to say "wouldn't". I'm also not surprised that this feature isn't enabled (although it should be). Just on my drive to work, I go through so many dead zones so I can't always stream. Plus, in places like NW Ohio, having FM radio on phones would be great, especially during times when there are tornadoes.

Originally Posted by faithbw

I meant to say "wouldn't". I'm also not surprised that this feature isn't enabled (although it should be). Just on my drive to work, I go through so many dead zones so I can't always stream. Plus, in places like NW Ohio, having FM radio on phones would be great, especially during times when there are tornadoes.

I should have realized that since your post seemed inconsistent.

You and HarryT also made an excellent point. Much of Canada is the same, though AM radio would be better in that case since the remote areas can be incredibly remote. (I'm forget how much it would help during the day, but it helps a lot after dark.)

[Demingy]

Hmm, I didn't realize there were so many devices without FM activated. All of my smart phones thus far have had it. I agree with the points made so far in the thread re: the usefulness of having FM available on your phone.

[samhy]

Luckily, since I'm using this function quite often, this is working for me on my phone. Maybe this is a country thing or because I got my phone SIM-free. I find it very useful for all the reasons given by previous posters.

I dearly miss this function on my tablet. I don't know whether it's not activated or not available.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by BWinmill

You and HarryT also made an excellent point. Much of Canada is the same, though AM radio would be better in that case since the remote areas can be incredibly remote. (I'm forget how much it would help during the day, but it helps a lot after dark.)

AM radio uses much longer wavelengths and hence needs a longer antenna, which probably isn't practical for a phone.

[PandathePanda]

FM isn't really usable where I live. I've only got one place in my house where I have enough FM signal to be able to listen to the radio. But think it might be a regional thing as every phone I had was (and is) capable of receiving radio.

[Atunah]

My MotoG 1st gen has FM radio. Works pretty good. Have only used it a couple of times.

[cromag]

Originally Posted by faithbw

That's not surprising. I remember my old Nokia candybar phone having FM radio. I can't imagine why a more advanced phone like a modern smartphone wouldn't have an FM radio.

Cell phone companies make money on streaming. They'd rather you not listen to (free) FM.

Originally Posted by cromag

Cell phone companies make money on streaming. They'd rather you not listen to (free) FM.

It is doubtful that disabling FM would benefit their bottom line. A person is either going to stream, or not stream, based mostly upon their preference for content. Given that mobile data is very pricey, I very much doubt that many people are going to change from FM radio to streaming just because the FM receiver is disabled. (At least outside of places where they have access to WiFi.)

As for AM requiring longer antennas, that's true. However, people are plugging in headphones as antenna's anyhow. Seeming as AM antennas are about half the size of a pencil, and dirt cheap to make, I could imagine using such an antenna while at home or in the office.

[harriska2]

A little off topic but you can buy an $80 10 foot home antenna and get free over the air TV in digital (most places) if you are within 60 or so miles from repeaters. Saves us money and we can record using a wintv adapter with eyetv software for mac.

[hardcastle]

I would assume the FM radio is turned off because it'd have to be tested - or might affect wi-fi or bluetooth antennas. Phones are a vibrating mash of electronics, carefully crafted to avoid any problems.