[grc] Disabled FM chips in cel phones

[Frieda Werden]

Great info!  LOL

On Tue, Jul 21, 2020 at 12:18 PM theresa mitchell <polemics17 at gmail.com>
wrote:

> 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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>>
>

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