That is the most requested feature according to Jacobs Media. The FM tuner feature appears to be a more popular option for the iPod Shuffle and iPod Nano. With many other players offering more features than the iPod, why hasn’t Apple included any of these features on their iPods?
I don’t know the real answer, but I can make a few intelligent guesses. There will probably be a slight size increase, especially if this feature were to be included on the iPod Shuffle; there can’t possibly be room for it. As for the Nano, they could probably squeeze one in.
The other problem with FM tuners in most MP3 players is poor reception, especially indoors and I spend a majority of my day inside; even though I do own an iPod, it’s mostly for use in my car. Most of my music is stored and listened to on my computers.
The point of an iPod is to listen to YOUR music when YOU want and HOW you want. I find the point of a FM tuner on any MP3 player a bit pointless. I do like Voice Recording features which can be added to your iPod through various third party accessories. If you really want a FM tuner on your iPod pick up the Radio Remote accessory.
While we are on the subject, instead of an iPhone, I would like to see a touch based widescreen iPod with wireless sharing capabilities and video playback; I would rather have those features than a silly FM tuner. It would be nice if Apple were to include the FM and voice recording features, if only to up the competition but Apple has proven that features are not a deciding factor.
Simplicity, ease of use and reliability seem to be at the heart of their products. Though, that’s not to say there aren’t horror stories regarding Apple products breaking but I’ve had nothing but good experiences when dealing with Apple Support, when I’ve had to…which is not very often.
ID10982589 Posted in Apple, iPod Trackback: http://apple.blorge.com/2007/04/03/ipod-users-want-fm-tuners/trackback/
April 3rd, 2007 at 7:04 pm
I’m kinda surprised, but at the same time not surprised that people put out clueless articles like this. Anything, including use false info like this, to put Apple products down. I’ve had the radio tuner component on my iPod Video now for over a year. It comes with the Apple Radio Remote and includes a new set of earbuds. The antenna is built into the cord.
The picture above is what it looks like on the iPod. By necessity you need to screen for this.
April 3rd, 2007 at 8:07 pm
I have the FM tuner for the video ipod but it is useless for me. In San Francisco, the stereo subcarrier pops in and out making it unlistenable. All that was needed was a way to force mono - but that wasn’t included.
April 3rd, 2007 at 8:30 pm
The point is folks, it’s not built-in to the iPod itself. I know the Radio Remote has it… the idea is to integrate that into the iPod.
April 4th, 2007 at 2:39 am
What a surprise–crap-rock radio stations did a “survey” of radio listeners and found that radio listeners wanted radios on iPods. What do iPod listeners want? I want packaged pap chain TOP (3) HIT ALL THEY TIME! FM stations to catch fire and burn on the spot. They’re worried because there are too many of them and advertising is moving to internet, so they think loading down an Apple product with drek will save them. Buh-bye. Stay out of market research if you don’t know what a sample frame is.
Now, wifi so I can listen to my Live 365, etc. stations…that would be cool.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:50 am
zune video converter, vob converter, dvd to ipod converter, convert dvd to ipod — ipod zune psp video converter software released in http://www.ipod-zune-psp.com
February 17th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Satellite TV vs. Digital Cable…
These days, relaxing can be a lot of work. Casual channel surfers risk being engulfed in a 250-channel television flood….