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Samsung says it will be unlocking the FM chips in its future smartphones:
Samsung and NextRadio on Wednesday announced the handset-maker will begin shipping phones in the US and Canada with the FM radio chip unlocked. Currently, Samsung was shipping some devices with the FM radio access unlocked, while others (often dependent upon carrier whims) had a locked FM radio chip.
An unlocked FM radio chip in a smartphone not only provides free access to local radio stations, but also, in emergency situations, access to important information.
What is NextRadio?
Emmis Communications is an American media conglomerate based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company owns radio stations and magazines in the United States and Slovakia.
[...] The NextRadio smartphone app was developed by Emmis, with support from the National Association of Broadcasters, to take advantage of mobile devices with activated internal FM receivers. NextRadio allows users of select FM-enabled smartphones to listen to live broadcast FM radio while receiving supplemental data such as album art, program information, and metadata over the internet. Launched in August 2013 through a radio industry agreement with Sprint Corporation, the app is available preloaded on select devices it is also available for download in the Google Play Store.
Do you need to use their app to access the FM chip? The press release says:
Market leaders like Samsung are taking the step of unlocking the FM Chip, which will allow Samsung users to connect directly with the NextRadio app, listen to their favorite local stations, and use less battery and less data than streaming radio apps.
Take "unlocked" with a grain of salt.
Previously: FCC Chairman Encourages Activation of FM Chips in Smartphones
FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai Calls on Apple to Activate Imaginary FM Chips
Related: Smartphone with FM Radio Tells Your Position
Developers Working to Get FM Radio Function Enabled in BQ Ubuntu Phones
Norway to Become 1st Country to Switch Off FM Radio
(Score: 2) by frojack on Thursday January 11 2018, @10:19PM (2 children)
Would you?
Seriously, WHERE would you actually listen that you can't already?
These FM chips in radios require you to use earbuds (they use the earbud wires for the FM antenna). Bluetooth won't work.
Further, you can hardly find an FM station that doesn't ALSO stream everything (except perhaps live sports) on the internet. So some simple free app like "TuneIn Radio" can access the web stream without the earbuds.
The use case for FM radio on a cell phone comes down to emergency broadcasts.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Thursday January 11 2018, @11:12PM
Maybe in the US, but Australia and the UK have extensive FM coverage, and quite alot of different stations.
While top 40/high rotation/clearchannel type crap is out there, community, classical, and *local* stations are also "available", not just in major cities.
Most cars still have fm radios, and, while "teenagers" would rather stream than use a radio, most houses still have fm radios.
mind you, there is also a huge following for "old fashioned" television (the non-cable, need an aerial stuff)
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 3, Informative) by dry on Friday January 12 2018, @01:47AM
You need a data connection to stream, uses battery that much faster and while it is true you need headphones for an antenna, you can still listen through the speaker, at least with the default app on my phone. Handy when the power goes out and the internet dies.
If you do like live sports and are a spectator, the radio works in real time if you like listening to a play by play while watching.