Sunday, November 4, 2007 -- 12:31 a.m. -- in my living room

Engadget had a little something the other day about a mention on AT&T's site about iTunes Radio -- not talking about the kind in iTunes on your computer, but the kind that would presumably work on the iPhone.

It was listed in the opening paragraph on the AT&T page about why it's important to purchase an international data roaming plan because data can be very expensive outside the U.S.

Today, that sentence still exists but any reference to iTunes Radio is gone from AT&T's Web site.

Is it possible this was a mistake? Yes.

Is it possible this was an inadvertent mention on a brand new feature? I think that's more likely.

Back in July, a site called iPhoneology dug into the code that came with iPhone software 1.1.1 and found a mention of a mobile radio app. No one really thought much of it at the time, except for the fact that it was enticing to see it there. While that code is no guarantee of a hidden function, it's listed for a reason.

Then, there was this report from Billboard.com back in early October:

"Radio conglomerates CBS Radio, Clear Channel, Cumulus, Cox, Entercom and Great Media are all in the process of implementing the new iTunes tagging feature to their HD radio streams. The technology, unveiled early last month, allows HD radio listeners with the right HD radio to push a button to earmark that song and later buy it via iTunes. Not only does the HD radio need to have a button dedicated for the feature, but HD broadcasters must implement the tagging technology."

So ... if there's such a push to connect iTunes with HD radio, it makes sense that HD radio streaming is coming to the iPhone.

But Scott, you ask ... can my iPhone pick up HD radio?

It seems that way.

Your iPhone has the Infineon S-Gold2 chip inside and the datasheet for that chip specifically states it features “connectivity to Bluetooth, FM Radio, WLAN, A-GPS and other modules.”

I'm not one to buy into these things, but it seems very, very obvious. HD radio is a big deal. No, it's not satellite radio, but that's OK. I love listening to stations from anywhere and I think I'll soon be able to carry it around with me.

Note GPS is also listed. Apple filed a patent a while back that talked about GPS. But let's save that for another post.

It will be fascinating to see how battery life is impacted by streaming radio over Wi-Fi -- oh yeah, there's no way this kind of app would ever work via EDGE. It will be just like the iTunes Wi-Fi Store ... Wi-Fi or nothing.

All of this is the most solid evidence I've seen that a new icon is coming soon to an iPhone screen near you.

Is it coming this week? That I don't know. But is it OK to get at least a little excited? Yeah, I think it is.

Thanks for calling.

"HD Hypocrisy"

"Here's a few more reasons why only iBiquity and a few clueless radio group heads could make a big thing out of HD radio tagging... The very damn radio stations that broadcast in HD offer no programming worth listening to. HD Radio is a virtual sewer of formats owners don't want on their terrestrial frequencies and other assorted garbage that no one sane would listen to -- let alone spend money for new radios -- tagging or not."

http://insidemusicmedia.blogspot.com/2007/09/hd-hypocrisy.html

"And the good ideas keep on coming..."

"So let me understand this... HD radio has been reduced to being a storefront for iTunes? So I listen to my HD radio, tag the songs I like, download them to my iPod, and listen to my iPod rather than my HD radio, right?"

http://www.hear2.com/2007/09/and-the-good-id.html#comments

Consumer reaction to HD Radio/iPod tagging, via Polk Audio I-Sonic ES2:

http://siteanalytics.compete.com/hdradio.com+polkaudio.com+sirius.com/?metric=uv

HD Radio is nothing but bland formats copied off the analog channels and consumers have zero interest - the HD Alliance is showing obvious signs of desperation:

http://hdradiofarce.blogspot.com/

SCOTT'S REPLY: But Greg, you are missing the bigger point .. .Think about this for a second ... the record labels are pulling out of iTunes because they hate the pricing. So Apple partners with the big radio companies -- Clear Channel, etc., and pays a fee to allow users to download songs from the radio. Since the companies aren't going to stop supplying music to the radio stations, Apple still gets a piece, the consumers still get their music and life goes on happily and in peace. I think that's the huge part of this that no one is really getting into -- until right now.

"Is it coming this week? That I don't know. But is it is OK to get at least a little excited? Yesh, I think it is."

Is your excitement premature perhaps?
First of all IBOC severely limits the distance an FM signal can be received. Some of the big radios are lucky if they can lock onto an HD (Hybrid Digital) signal ten miles away from the transmitting towers. Do you like drop outs in the middle of your downloaded tune you just paid a buck for?
What can solve this little problem? Perhaps a big FM Yagi antenna? What do you mean they are too big. Well you carry umbrellas when it rains don't you? This is maybe a little heavier but wouldn't you carry a heavy load to prop up this newest technological boondoggle that is called IBOC? I know I certainly would, in fact I predict that the newest fad of 2008 will be called fashion antennas, will come in all different colors for the little ladies, yes, I can even see them on the catwalk of gay old Paree! Yes, well now that that's settled, how about the fact that the highs sound shrill in IBOC? Well we can fix that too, just have an audio filter installed in your phone or radio. What do you mean that's expensive? Are you anti-technology? Oh, that will cut out the highs in the music? Well that's the point, you want to get rid of the highs so it doesn't sound shrill. Oh, then it will sound worse than normal analog FM?

SCOTT'S REPLY: If it's streamed online, there's no concern about the antennas. Think the online offerings from XM and Sirius pumped up to be worth the buck or 2 you just paid to download it.

"Coming Soon to Your iPhone: HD Radio"

"Today, that sentence still exists but any reference to iTunes Radio is gone from AT&T's Web site. Is it possible this was a mistake? Yes. Is it possible this was an inadvertent mention on a brand new feature? I think that's more likely... It will be fascinating to see how battery life is impacted by streaming radio over Wi-Fi... All of this is the most solid evidence I've seen that a new icon is coming soon to an iPhone screen near you."

http://weblogs.redeyechicago.com/iphoneblog/2007/11/coming-soon-to-.html

"iTunes"

"There is also a large selection of internet radio stations from which to choose... Since the release of iTunes 7, Apple no longer promotes the Internet radio feature, and there is no mention of it appearing on the iTunes website. However, it remains in the QuickTime 7.0.4, and iTunes EULA used by iTunes 6.0.5.20. With iTunes 7, the "Radio" item has reappeared as an optional source in the preferences, along with its stations."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes

Perhaps, you spoke too soon?

SCOTT'S REPLY: Nope, I don't think I did ... you're talking about online in iTunes. I'm talking about exclusively on the iPhone.

I don't see how you could draw such conclusions, since Apple is no longer interested in promoting Internet Radio (obviously, it was a failure), which offers far more in terms of quantity and quality. It is pathetic that the HD Radio folks get so excited over a button for iPod tagging (which no one will buy into) and a potential button on the iPhone, because stand-alone HD radios have not sold. If this requires an HD Radio chip, due to power supply requirements adding HD Radio to the iPhone is not practical. After reading your responses, I've decided to remove your article from my blog, because you are making huge assumptions, and there is no mention of HD Radio in the datasheet, just FM radio.

SCOTT'S REPLY: The record should show that Greg's Web site is all about HD radio being a farce and when I mention something potentially positive about it, he's removing it from the site. Well, that should make for a fair and balanced place to read about HD radio.

Oh, and I was wondering if you could share your proof that Apple is no longer interested in promoting Internet radio. You said it as though it's fact, but I wasn't able to find it anywhere. Just a link from Apple would be great. Whenever you get a minute. No hurry.

I already posted that Apple no longer promotes "radio":

"iTunes"

"There is also a large selection of internet radio stations from which to choose... Since the release of iTunes 7, Apple no longer promotes the Internet radio feature, and there is no mention of it appearing on the iTunes website. However, it remains in the QuickTime 7.0.4, and iTunes EULA used by iTunes 6.0.5.20. With iTunes 7, the "Radio" item has reappeared as an optional source in the preferences, along with its stations."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes

Since Internet Radio is no longer promoted, Apple surely isn't going to promote the bland, repetitive programming on the HD channels that are just cleverly disguised programming off the main analog channels:

"HD Hypocrisy"

"Here's a few more reasons why only iBiquity and a few clueless radio group heads could make a big thing out of HD radio tagging... The very damn radio stations that broadcast in HD offer no programming worth listening to. HD Radio is a virtual sewer of formats owners don't want on their terrestrial frequencies and other assorted garbage that no one sane would listen to -- let alone spend money for new radios -- tagging or not."

http://insidemusicmedia.blogspot.com/2007/09/hd-hypocrisy.html

SCOTT'S REPLY: But where's the proof from apple? It needs to be more than you posted it based on something you thought.

To clarify how iTunes taging works, you are not purchasing or downloading the song via the airwaves, or wifi. It's simply a marker. You hear a song you like, you press the TAG button, assuming your ipod is docked in your hd radio (and the station has their data format right), the song info will be stored on your ipod. Then, when you sync your ipod with itunes on your PC, there will be a playlist where you can sample the song and buy it in the itunes music store. Does iBiquity or any station get a cut of the sale? That I don't know.

SCOTT'S REPLY: Thank you very kindly for the clarification. I don't know much about HD radio, but I'm reading and learning and liking what I'm finding out.

"iTunes Radio cometh?"

"Radio on the iPod? Only if it's Internet Radio"

"He said (with a straight face) that Apple had no immediate plans for a 'radio-type' function on its players because "Steve considers traditional radio to be a an old technology and he doesn't want to 'taint' his cutting edge technology. How about Internet radio? "That's a different story" my contact stated!"

And, AT&T just teamed with Pandora Mobile:

"Pandora Teams With AT&T"

So much for HD Radio chips in mobile devices - HD Radio's last gasp!

SCOTT'S REPLY: Could someone tell me what the anger over HD radio is? I get comments often from this site that puts it down like there's no tomorrow and it's so one-sided.

But thankfully, here at IPTIB, I reply to all comments. So here you go, Greg. And let me know why there's so much hatred.

In my world, nothing wrong with good ol' terrestrial radio. Is there great stuff that I can't hear? Sure. But shortwave and Internet radio are fun! Fun, I tell ya ... FUN!

SCOTT'S REPLY: "Could someone tell me what the anger over HD radio is? I get comments often from this site that puts it down like there's no tomorrow and it's so one-sided."

I reply:

How about the fact that Hybrid Digital severely limits the useful range on FM and spills over on boths sides of the AM signal ruining the TWO OTHER adjacent frequencies with it?

Also how about the fact that all this havoc is being wreaked on the bands with hardly any listeners at all?

How about the fact this this is a legal monolpoly that is ruining radio that KNOW ONE WANTS except the people who make money from it?

How about the fact that iBlock is a lead balloon which has gone nowhere and will go nowhere, it's dead in thw water.

Scott why don't you investigate the OTHER side (non-iBiqutiy side) a little before wholesale touting a bad technology you obviously know little about?

SCOTT'S REPLY: I'd love to investigate it, Robert. But this is the iPhone blog and I spend most of my time investigating that. But thanks for the word from the OTHER side.

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