Child Item

Site Totals

61365 Questions Answered 267 Categories

Why does Verizon wireless block the activation of the FM chip

I have heard a lot about the FM chips that are in many phones but remain unactivated. It appears that Verizon Wireless is now the only service that continues to block free access to the FM chip in Apple and other phones. Obviously, the only reason is that it would cut down on data usage, not to mention help preserve battery power. I am sick of Verizon and other services gouging as much as they can from consumers.

Comments

smith6612

A lot of the time, the problem stems not with Verizon, but with the actual phone itself. Many phones don't have any circuitry to connect the SoC up to an antenna for FM reception. This could be a Verizon spec, but it also lays on the OEMs to design.

This is the case the iPhone is in. No matter what carrier the iPhone was designed for, while the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi SoC has the FM Radio support, there is electrically no way to receive FM radio. That, and Apple would rather push their paid Apple music service.

Also, do keep in mind that tablets would be better suited to have FM radio antennas due to size. A smartphone will be stuck with a very small antenna that will provide mediocre, at best (unless it's a Motorola designed setup) reception. I reference old Sony Walkman devices and small portable FM auto-tuning radios, as well as modern car head unit antennas.

Child Item