New Samsung phones in U.S. and Canada will be sold with their FM chips unlocked. The tech manufacturer is working with NextRadio to activate the existing FM chips in smartphones for those markets. Continue Reading
TagStation announced that its NextRadio app saw overall listening increase 334% in 2015. “All of this progress supports the fact that consumers are finding value and a unique experience in the NextRadio app,” NextRadio President Paul Brenner said. Continue Reading
The National Association for Broadcasters and National Public Radio have submitted a call to the FCC to activate FM chips in smartphones. The recommendation was in response to the FCC’s proceedings aimed at improving wireless emergency alerts. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: YouTube aiding in some fair use cases; FCC commissioner voices support for FM chip activation; Dash Radio’s multichannel technology. Continue Reading
NextRadio is pushing to get T-Mobile to unlock FM chips on its phones. The company has launched a campaign with the tagline “Help Get NextRadio on T-Mobile.” It asks people to turn to social media and voice their support for unlocking the chips for phones on T-Mobile plans. Continue Reading
The BBC is throwing its weight behind efforts to get FM radio chips enabled on smartphones. Research commissioned by the UK broadcaster found that the majority of smartphone owners want radio available in the devices. The study also highlighted the common concerns about that technology: mobile data costs, impact on battery life, and reception issues. Continue Reading
“Wireless carriers are dragging their feet and won’t activate the FM chips that are in every smartphone.” That’s the blunt message in a website campaign mounted by NPR, American Public Media (APM), Educational Media Foundation (EMF), the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), and, of course, NextRadio. The campaign hopes to stir activism. Continue Reading
BlackBerry, the once-dominant, now-beleaguered phone maker, has updated its BB10 unit (that’s the phone with a physical keyboard) with an activated FM chip. That’s nice for BlackBerry’s small audience, and is the latest indicator of a gradual trend. Continue Reading