[grc] Disabled FM chips in cel phones

[theresa mitchell]

My FM receiver was disabled until I "jailbroke" the thing out of Sprint.
It automatically uses earphones, no additional wiring required, and it
works great now.  Sprint still tries to activate its disabled apps,
though--they drain battery now and then, and I have to get into the thing
and "force stop."  When I replace the phone, I'm disabling the apps and the
sim card, and using it as an FM radio--far more interesting these days than
canned stuff.

Maybe I'll just pull the coltan out and use it to enhance other antennas.

best,

T

On Tue, Jul 21, 2020 at 4:22 AM Frieda Werden via grc <grc at maillist.peak.org>
wrote:

> 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
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