NAB Radio TechCheck November 21, 2011

November 21, 2011

More New Wireless Devices Include FM Radio

The recent high-profile launch of Windows Mobile 7.5 included an element not largely reported, but of interest to Radio TechCheck readers. All of the roll-out phones included in the launch (details below) are 4G-capable devices with FM receivers and high-quality audio capabilities.

Like its predecessors, Microsoft's Windows Mobile 7.5 operating system incorporates the Zune application, which features an FM receiver with RDS display, touchscreen tuning, favorite-station storage and seek/scan capability.

While Windows Mobile still holds relatively small market share, the platform has received critical acclaim, and is managing to make modest gains in the highly competitive wireless marketplace. An increasing number of apps developed for the platform are also becoming available.

Perhaps more important, however, is that as the inclusion of FM reception capability proliferates on any wireless operating system, it puts pressure on others to include it. Thus any new wireless device announcement that includes an FM receiver - particularly leading-edge 4G smartphones, such as these - is welcome news for broadcasters.

The New Devices
Three new devices were immediately available as of the November 7, 2011 launch of Windows Mobile 7.5, with one more announced to follow shortly.

Two of the new phones came from Samsung - the Focus, and the Focus S, both on the AT&T network (although unlocked versions already appear to be offered by some retailers, at substantially higher prices). The Focus is a baseline 4G device, with a 3.7-inch screen and 5-megapixel camera, which AT&T is offering for $49.95. The Focus S features a 4.3-inch screen and 8 Mp camera, plus a thinner form factor. (For comparison, this gives the unit a slightly larger screen and thinner profile than Apple's iPhone 4S.)

The Home screen of the Zune app on Windows Mobile 7.5


Samsung Focus	Samsung Focus S

Both of the new Samsung phones are based on a Qualcomm 1.5 GHz processor, and include a slide-out speaker that can be used with the FM radio, even though the headphones must be plugged in for the FM antenna. The phones also include the Dolby Mobile feature, which offers simulated surround sound and other audio enhancements and controls.

HTC also premiered its Radar 4G (on T-Mobile), another 4G-capable device with a 5 Mp camera and 1 GHz processor. Expected soon is the higher-end HTC Titan (on AT&T), which will offer a 4.7-inch touchscreen display with 800 x 480 resolution (one of the largest smartphone displays to date), an 8 Mp camera, Dolby Mobile and SRS surround sound, 1080p video recording, and HDMI output.


*HTC Radar* 4G**	HTC Titan

These new Windows Mobile phones join the increasing number of Android devices that also include FM receivers. Although progress is gradual, overall movement continues in a positive direction toward greater availability of FM receivers in U.S. smartphones.

NAB Accepting Nominations for 2012 NAB Engineering Achievement Awards

NAB is currently accepting nominations for the 2012 NAB Engineering Achievement Awards. Established in 1959, the NAB Engineering Achievement Awards are presented each year to individuals for their outstanding accomplishments in the broadcast industry. In 1991, NAB began giving awards separately for achievements in radio and television. The award winners will be recognized at the Technology Luncheon at 2012 NAB Show on April 18 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Additional information and a nomination form are available on NAB's website. The deadline for nominations is January 23, 2012.

Radio TechCheck will not be published on November 28, 2011
but will return on December 5, 2011.

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