[grc] Disabled FM chips in cel phones

[Frieda Werden]

There has been some discussion in Canada about trying to get FM chips in
phones enabled.  However, I just happened across this post on Quora from an
electronics engineer, who explains why that's not likely to work:


Kevin Rome <https://www.quora.com/profile/Kevin-Rome-2>
·
Updated December 12, 2019
<https://www.quora.com/Why-are-the-FM-radio-chips-in-most-cell-phones-disabled-All-phones-have-them-but-in-most-but-not-all-phones-they-are-disabled-Why-And-why-install-them-if-you-are-just-gonna-disable-them/answer/Kevin-Rome-2>
BS Electronics & Computer Engineering, The College and University Experience
 (Graduated 1996)
Why are the FM radio chips in most cell phones disabled? All phones have
them, but in most (but not all) phones they are disabled. Why? And why
install them if you are just gonna disable them?
<https://www.quora.com/Why-are-the-FM-radio-chips-in-most-cell-phones-disabled-All-phones-have-them-but-in-most-but-not-all-phones-they-are-disabled-Why-And-why-install-them-if-you-are-just-gonna-disable-them>

Just to be clear, it’s usually the WiFi chips that have FM tuners built in
to them; such as those by Qualcomm, Intel, etc.

Both of those companies incorporated the tuner in the Integrated Circuit
before supplying them to the phone manufacturers to use. So, it isn’t
really a matter of “why install them”. Instead, it’s a matter of purchasing
an ‘off the shelf’ product that just did more than they needed it to. It
didn’t really cost the chip maker anything to add. But having one
production line probably saved them money versus having to make multiple
versions.

That said, adding FM functionality would have required design changes to
the phones. The way those chips are wired in would likely need to be
changed too, in order to take advantage of the FM tuner.

Also, a tuner is only part of what you need for a functional FM radio. You
also need an appropriate antenna. FM antennae are longer than what’s
required for the much higher WiFi and/or cellular frequencies. That fact
alone would impact the design of modern phones.

Some FM devices used the earphone cable as the antenna. But now, more than
ever, people are trending towards Bluetooth audio solutions.

The simple fact is, these smart phones are most functional with internet
connectivity. Whether that be through WiFi or the cellular network.

As long as you have that connectivity, you’ll have access to most stations
through streaming; even stations outside whatever region you’re in.

If you happen to be ‘offline’, our phones can store thousands of songs too.

I’d consider the FM radio being disabled a minor trade off for a sleeker
design.


-- 
Frieda Werden, Series Producer
WINGS: Women's International News Gathering Service www.wings.org