HD Radio Coming to iPhones?

[Paul Daniel Ash]

I'm old enough to remember when people thought AM-FM Walkmans were cool. Now Apple seems poised to take a step back to the future with a new patent that suggests HD radio tuners will be coming to future iPhone and iPod models. AppleInsider has details of the patent, and also notes an earlier report about Apple being in talks with iBiquity, the makers of the HD radio iPhone accessory.

The patent application, “Digital Radio Tagging Using an RF Tuner Accessory,” describes how IOS devices could scan through HD stations and organize them based on the quality of the broadcast and/or specific kinds of content. "Enhanced metadata" would allow users to select through available stations for the kind of music or other content available at that time and - since this is Apple - tag tracks for later purchase over iTunes, similar to how songs that play on the iPod nano's FM radio can be tagged. Ford's in-dash HD radio also has an iTunes-tagging capability.

iBiquity came out with an HD radio receiver for the iPhone last year, complete with an app to control it. The $80 uses the headphone wires as an antenna for the tuner, and purports to offer coverage where streaming services like Pandora cannot go. At that time, the Wall Street Journal claimed that Apple and iBiquity were in talks to incorporate their receiver in iPhones and iPods.

[tavella]

What ever happened to the fm tuner app Apple was working on?

[I Am Zak]

HD radio? WTF

[DarkDragonAn]

The radio should have being on the iphone from the begining. My wife ipod have a radio tuner and why not the iphone i think that is just stupid.

[sziklassy]

I imagine they don't have a tuner because it can interfere with the phone antenna, and vice-versa. A radio would be nice, but I personally don't really miss not having one.

[adp]

Also, you would have to sacrifice something fit the antenna/components. I don't see why anyone would choose regular FM radio over internet radio - your choice of music, no commercials. Slacker Radio FTW

[sziklassy]

I don't see why anyone would choose regular FM radio over internet radio - your choice of music, no commercials. Slacker Radio FTW

Well, internet radio isn't EVERYWHERE unfortunately, but I can say that it is probably everywhere I am outside of my car

[Doran]

I don't get it...... Isn't there an iPod built into the iPhone? This seems like a waste of an app to me..... I have over 2000 songs on my iPhone, if I even hear the radio it's by accedent....

[KingCane]

I wouldn't mind having radio on the iPhone. Any additions are welcomed!

[Wrassle]

My radio is only used when I conect my iPhone to myotorokr bluetooth to fm transponder.

[lolcats1]

why bother with all of this when i can use things like last.fm radio, which learns what i like.

[badass1469]

Well, internet radio isn't EVERYWHERE unfortunately, but I can say that it is probably everywhere I am outside of my car

lol dude is ur car made out of lead or what, cant receive signals form in ur car? strange lol

[MetallicaFan1991]

Is there HD radio in iPhone 4?
Along with the 512MB ram, the iPhone 4 is unresistable!

[adp]

Well, internet radio isn't EVERYWHERE unfortunately, but I can say that it is probably everywhere I am outside of my car

lol do you drive a tank?

[10millionmiles]

this looks like apple's trying to fight the zuneHD which can alredy do this including the taging to buy later.(like they have to.) This would still be a welcome addition to my ipod.

[nebo1ss]

I imagine they don't have a tuner because it can interfere with the phone antenna, and vice-versa. A radio would be nice, but I personally don't really miss not having one.

Every other phone that has an FM radio included, uses the headset as the Antenna. The Radio typically cannot be switched on unless the headset is plugged in. No danger of interference there.

[gbarielmoreno]

Nobody cares about HD radio.

[bzpilot]

Most any station worth listening to streams on the internet anyway.

Make yourself a Radio folder and create some links to the stations you like!

How often would most people use an actually Radio/Tuner app ...NEVER.

[seaeagle]

Try icarRadio. Works very well. And has 3000 channels.

[Rob2G]

I had that exact sony walk man when i was in jail, Cost $50 bucks on commissary and only picked up 4 stations in the jail. I Guess Thats what I get for getting caught smoking Pot in my own home.