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

[tubemonkey]

FM radio is a major source for the music I listen too. When I'm in the car, it's the only source I use for music. When I'm out and about, I always have my Sansa Clip Zip with me. Chances are, FM radio will be the first thing I listen to on it.

At home, I listen to FM radio frequently throughout the day. My favorite FM radio player is the Amazon Echo. It's so easy to change stations from across the room. I realize it's not OTA FM, because it uses the net to stream the stations. Still, it's the easiest FM radio I have.

Originally Posted by Jessica Lares

It's such in poor taste to tell people that having it on your smartphone would save your life though. Your phone won't last three days on battery. This is a situation where you need a proper radio and a case of AA batteries to get through it.

It's probably a case of something is better than nothing. With people using media files or streaming to replace their radio and a significant portion of the population not owning a car in some areas, the cell phone is likely the most universal way to ensure that people have access to this service.

[wodin]

Didn't I read where one of the Nordic nations (Sweden I think) is turning FM radio off in favor of digital radio?

[Teknikal]

Originally Posted by Jessica Lares

I use the FM radio on my iPod Nano. But the real reason it's on there is because Apple wants you to tag stuff you like, hook it up to iTunes, and then buy the songs in question from the store. Very clever.

It was enabled on my Android phone too, and then my Windows Phone. Neither are that great, except that the Android app let me type custom names for the stations.

It's such in poor taste to tell people that having it on your smartphone would save your life though. Your phone won't last three days on battery. This is a situation where you need a proper radio and a case of AA batteries to get through it.

While that's true I can't be the only one with several powerbanks and solar chargers I've picked up over the years I'm pretty sure I could keep my smartphone powered up for a few weeks or potentially longer although of course in that situation my prioritys would likely be very different.

[MikeB1972]

Originally Posted by Teknikal

While that's true I can't be the only one with several powerbanks and solar chargers I've picked up over the years I'm pretty sure I could keep my smartphone powered up for a few weeks or potentially longer although of course in that situation my prioritys would likely be very different.

Indeed, if you can't find a plug where will you get a pint of Guinness.

[mbovenka]

Originally Posted by wodin

Didn't I read where one of the Nordic nations (Sweden I think) is turning FM radio off in favor of digital radio?

Norway, in 2017. There are rumblings to that effect here in the Netherlands as well, but it hasn't happened or been planned yet.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by wodin

Didn't I read where one of the Nordic nations (Sweden I think) is turning FM radio off in favor of digital radio?

In the UK there are, as far as I know, no plans to turn off FM radio, but DAB digital radio is far more common than FM here now. We switched off analogue TV transmissions several years ago.

[Apache]

I hardly ever listen to FM any more. I mostly listen to podcasts and music on my MP3 player. I do stream music in my store. I listen to Best Smooth Jazz. http://bsj.fm/
This UK station is my favorite.
http://bestsmoothjazz.com/
Apache