FM local radio on iPhone

Big Tone

Picked up the latest iPhone last week but a bit disappointed it doesn't have an in-build FM radio for free listening to stations with transmitters in the local area. I had one in my Samsung Tocco and it was brill!

It now seems I would have to download and run an apple app to get radio but 3G or WiFi required...I dont want to run up a bill listening to free radio!

Does anyone know if there is a way to listen to FM radio on the iPhone or do Apple consider FM radio to be an "old technology" and so didn't include it?

120_Minutes

Maybe, I think there's an fm radio accessory available.

Dades

OP do you not have a data bundle?

With an allowance of, say, 1GB - you could listen to the radio every day and not hit your limit.

But, yes, Apple's refusal to throw in an FM radio is a pain in the arse.

Big Tone

Thanks guys but I'd rather have free radio and use up my data quota for other things, streaming can really eat into it and 3G reception can be iffy. Actually I avoid using 3G as much as I can and use the WiFi facillity instead.

I read somewhere that the chipset is capable of both receiving and transmitting (iTrip) but remains dormant within the iPhone as there's no app to awaken it!

Dades

Big Tone wrote: »

Thanks guys but I'd rather have free radio and use up my data quota for other things, streaming can really eat into it and 3G reception can be iffy.

I'd rather be carried around town on a litter by virgins, but that's reality for ya.

Big Tone wrote: »

I read somewhere that the chipset is capable of both receiving and transmitting (iTrip) but remains dormant within the iPhone as there's no app to awaken it!

So the rumour goes. No mention of awakening it in OS 4.0, so unless they're saving FM capabilities for the 4G we're stuck with web radio - or any non-Apple handset.

NothingMan

If you ever wonder why Apple don't include something then never assume it's because they think it's too old or they can't do it. It's all about control. They may release the FM radio on the next one, maybe not. They will never release FM transmitting because it will undercut a lot of 3rd parties they deal with.

The iPhone is amazing and I love it, but it could be the perfect device but then why would we buy the next model?

dmcg90

NothingMan wrote: »

If you ever wonder why Apple don't include something then never assume it's because they think it's too old or they can't do it. It's all about control. They may release the FM radio on the next one, maybe not. They will never release FM transmitting because it will undercut a lot of 3rd parties they deal with.

The iPhone is amazing and I love it, but it could be the perfect device but then why would we buy the next model?

FM is probably an outdated technology to apple.

NothingMan

dmcg90 wrote: »

FM is probably an outdated technology to apple.

I doubt they see it that way. FM radio is still huge and FM transmission is an excellent feature. They generally know exactly what people want and give it to them one small piece at a time.

Oafley Jones

dmcg90 wrote: »

FM is probably an outdated technology to apple.

They included it built-in in the latest nano.

dmcg90

Oafley Jones wrote: »

They included it built-in in the latest nano.

True but an iPod nano and iPhone's target market is very different.

Dades

Oafley Jones wrote: »

They included it built-in in the latest nano.

I think the difference there is you can't access iTunes directly on your nano, or maybe it was a feature included to boost flagging sales.

Apple want people wherever possible on devices to purchase or download through iTunes, and offering a radio gives people a different option over building up their music/podcast library.

monkeyfudge

I seen a headset for the iPhone the other day that had an FM receiver built right into it. You had the FM controller about half way down the cable. Looked quite neat.

Think I saw it in HMV.

jester77

Dades wrote: »

I think the difference there is you can't access iTunes directly on your nano, or maybe it was a feature included to boost flagging sales.

Apple want people wherever possible on devices to purchase or download through iTunes, and offering a radio gives people a different option over building up their music/podcast library.

But Apple could easily capitalise on that by linking the song that is currently playing on the radio directly to the iTunes store. They must have other reasons for excluding it.

Fat_Fingers

Sorry to hear that you are disappointed OP. With Apple products never take features that are standard and implemented in other systems as presumed in Apple also. Often most basic and widely used feature would be missing in Apple product.

Just make sure you do your research before you buy the product , any product. Match your requirements and don't fall for the hype.

Man, once i purchased Darkbox sat receiver... but that is the story for another day..

120_Minutes

This is what the OP is looking for.