Is Apple getting ready to launch an in-house radio application for the iPhone and iPod touch?
Apple is reportedly prepping an in-house radio application
for the popular iPhone and iPod touch, according to the Apple blog 9to5Mac.
Citing unnamed sources, the blogs publisher and editor Seth Weintraub said Apple is
developing a radio.app to serve as an FM radio similar to that found in current
iPod Nanos, with likely Live Pause functionaliy. The source mentioned that
this application could also be incorporated into the iPod.app before release,
Weintraub wrote. The holdup on this app is that Apple is trying to integrate
the Mobile iTunes Store purchases into the functionality of the program.
Resource Library:
According to the blog, Apple is also working on tagging
capability that allows users to view and download specific music tracks from
the iTunes Website. Currently on Apples App Store users can select a series
of radio-based applications such as ESPN Radio ($2.99) and Pocket Tunes Radio
($6.99), which offers thousands of free stations and uses GPS technology to
find stations in range.
Satellite radio conglomerate Siruis XM announced
in August
the impending release of the SkyDock, which allows users to connect to
satellite radio via the iPhone or iPod touch. The SkyDock acts as a
dock by
plugging into the base of the device, providing power as well as
linking it to
Sirius XMs satellite radio signal.
The SkyDock expands the companys relationship with Apple,
as Sirius XM announced in June the release of an iPhone application that serves
as a mobile extension of a users paid satellite radio service. The
application, which allows users to access more than 120 channels, comes with a
seven-day free trial, at which point a prospective user must subscribe to keep
listening.
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