iPod FM

In a much quicker reaction than I imagined when I wrote about the possibility of a wireless iPod, Gadget Review reports on a patent by Apple that anticipates such technology. The twist is that the patent is based on a VHF/FM/RDS transmitter that would allow the iPod to send information to car stereos (such as song name, artists, etc). A very detailed explanation of the patent application is posted by Macsimum News

I would be surprised if Apple was to spend time trying to find ways to adapt this technology to the iPod just for the sake of displaying a few labels while you listen to songs in your car. Considering how successful they've been at deploying the iPod as a media platform, this would enable some interesting applications:

• if they can figure out how to transmit FM, they surely can figure out how to receive information through the same medium. Once they do it would only be matter of time before we start getting broadcasts of generic content


• the iPod is all about your preferred music, so it wouldn't make sense for them to broadcast music, but since they know exactly which music you like from your iTunes purchases, they could very well give you weekly updates of new music that you're likely to buy


• advertising is surely in their minds as this would enable a direct link to one of the most precious market segments

It seems Apple continues to venture into all the realms of media, finding ways to align other players with its strategy. It should be no different with their incursion into the world of FM radio.