Is this true...built-in FM receiver & transmitter already in our iPhones?

[Carnos Jax]

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/ar...it_on.html

"iPhones and iPod touch devices have had FM-receive capabilities for some time, but the newest models can do something else: Broadcast FM signals, perhaps to a car radio..."

"Also included is an 802.11n capability on the 5GHz band."

[RAMd®d]

First, all the tear-downs would have mentioned if there were FM radios in the 'Phones. I don't remember any mention of that.

I don't know when the 'Phone started supporting the Nike+ unit. That *could* be in the FM band as we think of it, and Apple *could* have plans to activate.

An FM transmitter sounds like a stretch to me. That was one of the original rumored features of the 3GS.

And about the n capability, the article references its own previous rumor, and not any article that *shows* the Broadcom chip in the phone. Google shows a ton of articles speculating that Broadcom will be used in the 'Phone, but I may have missed one that shows an FM radio "in iPhone and iPods for some time".

None of this to say they're wrong, I'd like to see some solid info before I got my hopes up. FM would be nice, but not necessary for me. 802.11n in the 5GHz band would be great! I wouldn't need to get a new router.

[ztirffritz]

It would be nice. I have multiple FM transmitters. All work sporadically with the iPhone/Touch. They work fine on older iPods.

[Silencio]

True. I think the chipsets Apple has used for WiFi and Bluetooth in the iPhones have long held the ability to tune in FM radio.

Interesting that the 3GS has a Broadcom chip that supports 5GHz 802.11n WiFi connections, as well. Wonder when we'll see that enabled, and how much that will drain the battery in comparison to 802.11g.

[RAMd®d]

True. I think the chipsets Apple has used for WiFi and Bluetooth in the iPhones have long held the ability to tune in FM radio.

Do you have a link that shows it's true or that Apple has had FM radio in older gear?

I ask because all the references seem to be guessing or speculation, but none I've seen have absolutely shown this to be true.

As for the n, I *think* that if it's already on board, that Apple is indeed concerned about battery drain, as am I.

[ztirffritz]

The new iPod Nano has an FM receiver built into it, so I think that it is possible that the Touch and iPhone might have a receiver also. I doubt the transmitter part, but that would sure be nice.

[space-time]

didn't iPod Touch (2nd gen) have bluetooth built in and Apple activaed that with iPhone OS 3? (I have not updated mine, but I remember some discussion about that). Did any website report the chip for BlueTooth before Apple's announcement?

[RAMd®d]

didn't iPod Touch (2nd gen) have bluetooth built in and Apple activaed that with iPhone OS 3?

Correct.

I think Apple charged an $9.95 for that activation/3.0 Update.

[macphanatic]

According to this post, the 3G and 3GS have FM receiver and transmitter hardware:

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Apple-iPhone...-4855.html

I can't find it now, but there was an article that covered the various hardware in each iPhone. The wi-fi/bluetooth chip used also has fm transmitter and receiver capabilities built in.

[testcase]

My Palm Treo 650 would routinely last 3~5 days on a replaceable LiIon battery. I'm lucky to go one full day on my iPhone. Until better batteries are available, Apple probably doesn't have much choice in down playing iPhone / iTouch capabilities.