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Is there anything an iPhone can’t do?  Adding to the list of functionality, the iPhone is able to work with software apps which harness internet web broadcasting and turn your phone into a radio.  Gone are the days of driving beyond the reach of your favorite radio station.  But will this new technology that puts audio-funk into iPhone functionality herald a new age in radio?

There are three components that make the iPhone radio feature happen.  The first is the iPhone data plan that makes an open, unlimited data connection available to the consumer and profitable to the provider.  AT&T recommends the MEdia Max plan that goes for $35.00 in addition to your voice plan.  The second component is the software options to take the signals and make them audible.  As reported on CBSNews.com, “Two of the programs: AOL Radio and Pandora are free while Tuner costs $4.99.”  The final piece to the puzzle, is the iPhone, itself.  With a large visual interface and simple touch technology, the iPhone takes the place of yet another single function item: the radio.
 
This is not the first cell phone to offer radio capability.  Blackberry and other smart phones have the ability to hook up to internet based broadcasting.  Sprint, Verizon and other mobile phone carriers have unlimited data plans for internet browsing and handsets with audio output designed to handle multi-media.  What has been holding back other mobile platforms from capitalizing on mobile radio is customer perception and expanded functionality.  iPhone clearly has the advantage because they offer a customer base known for embracing non-standard technology and demanding cooler toys.
 
There are some nay-sayers out there who feel that radio enabled iPhones are a passing phase.  Referencing AT&T’s unlimited data use contract, the following cannot be ignored, (items in bold face by Talkibie for emphasis): “While most common uses for Intranet browsing, email and intranet access are permitted by your data plan, there are certain uses that cause extreme network capacity issues and interference with the network and are therefore prohibited. … This means, by way of example only, that checking email, surfing the Internet, downloading legally acquired songs, and/or visiting corporate intranets is permitted, but downloading movies using P2P file sharing services, redirecting television signals for viewing on Personal Computers, web broadcasting, and/or for the operation of servers, telemetry devices and/or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition devices is prohibited.” This would seem to indicate that once bandwidth becomes negatively impacted by excessive use of persistent connections streaming internet broadcasts, the provider (AT&T in this case) has reserved the right to terminate the service being provided.  The chances of that happening are slim and none as Pandora advertises for iPhone and AT&T service right on their home website.  However, it will be interesting to see if AT&T’s business model changes to accommodate an influx of users who demand open connections of streaming data.
 
As time marches on, technology finds a way to replace single use items with others that can do that job and so much more.  The iPhone is rapidly becoming the Swiss Army knife of smart phones.  With an operating system that can handle software applications, solid mobile phone functionality, and user friendly visual and tactile interface, the iPhone finds new ways to become the one gadget in your pocket that does it all.  Does this mean that terrestrial radio is over?  By no means.  Expect iPhone radio functionality to spur terrestrial radio stations into better developed programming that taps into a radio that can phone its listeners.  That future could be music to everyone’s ears.

Monday, August 11th, 2008 You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

By Alicen Hogan