Night mode is an automatic setting which takes advantage of the new wide-angle camera that's in the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro models. It's equipped with a larger sensor that is able to let in more light, allowing for brighter photos when the light is low.
macOS Catalina Now Available
FCC Chairman Encourages Activation of the FM Radio Receiver Built Into Your iPhone
FCC chairman Ajit Pai has advocated for the activation of FM radio receivers built into nearly every smartphone, as part of opening remarks he made at the Future of Radio and Audio Symposium in Washington D.C. yesterday.
Many smartphones sold today, including iPhones, have an FM receiver built into the LTE modem that would allow people to listen to FM radio over the air; however, many carriers and phone makers have not enabled the functionality, forcing users to use an app to stream FM radio over Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Pai cited a NAB study that found only 44% of the top-selling smartphones in the United States had activated FM receivers as of last year. The vast majority—94%—of the non-activated smartphones are iPhones, according to the study.
"We could be doing a lot better," said Pai, who was appointed as FCC chairman last month. "It seems odd that every day we hear about a new smartphone app that lets you do something innovative, yet these modern-day mobile miracles don’t enable a key function offered by a 1982 Sony Walkman."
The activation of FM receivers in iPhones would have several benefits, including battery life savings, less data usage, and most importantly, the ability to receive emergency alerts over radio without service.
"You could make a case for activating chips on public safety grounds alone," added Pai. "The former head of our Federal Emergency Management Administration has spoken out in support of this proposal. The FCC has an expert advisory panel on public safety issues that has also advocated enabling FM radio chips on smartphones."
Pai said that while he will keep speaking out about the benefits of activating FM receivers in smartphones, he is a believer in free markets and the rule of law, and he thereby cannot support a government mandate requiring activation of these chips, nor does he believe the FCC has the power to issue said mandate.
In 2015, an online campaign was launched to "free radio" on smartphones. It calls for U.S. carriers to activate the FM radio receivers in smartphones. AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile now support the functionality, or will soon, on all or select Android-based smartphones. The campaign extends to Canada.
Apple's stance on the activation of FM receivers in iPhones is uncertain. An additional antenna would likely be required for proper FM signal reception. The latest iPod nano, meanwhile, requires connecting headphones to listen to FM radio, as the device uses the headphone cord as an antenna to receive a signal.
Many smartphones sold today, including iPhones, have an FM receiver built into the LTE modem that would allow people to listen to FM radio over the air; however, many carriers and phone makers have not enabled the functionality, forcing users to use an app to stream FM radio over Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Pai cited a NAB study that found only 44% of the top-selling smartphones in the United States had activated FM receivers as of last year. The vast majority—94%—of the non-activated smartphones are iPhones, according to the study.
"We could be doing a lot better," said Pai, who was appointed as FCC chairman last month. "It seems odd that every day we hear about a new smartphone app that lets you do something innovative, yet these modern-day mobile miracles don’t enable a key function offered by a 1982 Sony Walkman."
The activation of FM receivers in iPhones would have several benefits, including battery life savings, less data usage, and most importantly, the ability to receive emergency alerts over radio without service.
"You could make a case for activating chips on public safety grounds alone," added Pai. "The former head of our Federal Emergency Management Administration has spoken out in support of this proposal. The FCC has an expert advisory panel on public safety issues that has also advocated enabling FM radio chips on smartphones."
Pai said that while he will keep speaking out about the benefits of activating FM receivers in smartphones, he is a believer in free markets and the rule of law, and he thereby cannot support a government mandate requiring activation of these chips, nor does he believe the FCC has the power to issue said mandate.
In 2015, an online campaign was launched to "free radio" on smartphones. It calls for U.S. carriers to activate the FM radio receivers in smartphones. AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile now support the functionality, or will soon, on all or select Android-based smartphones. The campaign extends to Canada.
Apple's stance on the activation of FM receivers in iPhones is uncertain. An additional antenna would likely be required for proper FM signal reception. The latest iPod nano, meanwhile, requires connecting headphones to listen to FM radio, as the device uses the headphone cord as an antenna to receive a signal.
[ 321 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
35 months ago
Oh, boy you mean I could get free advertisements over the air?
No, thank you. I have a radio in my car that hasn't been turned on in years.
That's the apple spirit! Because I don't use feature x, it should not be available to anyone!
35 months ago
Why not allow both. Consumer choice. If the hardware is there...! I had no idea.
35 months ago
who listens to FM radio anymore unless they really have to?
Answers: Millions and millions of people. To be precise 147 million from 2015 statistic.
35 months ago
Apple's not going to do it because it'll allow you to listen to radio for free, rather than having to pay them for a monthly subscription.
35 months ago
I haven't listened to FM radio in years, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be an option.
We know why it's not being done... carriers can't monetize FM radio, but they can your data usage.
We know why it's not being done... carriers can't monetize FM radio, but they can your data usage.
35 months ago
Oh, boy you mean I could get free advertisements over the air?
No, thank you. I have a radio in my car that hasn't been turned on in years.
No, thank you. I have a radio in my car that hasn't been turned on in years.
35 months ago
This would be a nice development, especially as Pai says, for the safety aspect. I have few (if any) battery-operated radios in my house and in the case of a power outage I would really like to be able to use any one of my battery-powered cellular devices to keep updated on any emergency broadcasts.
Not to jump too deeply into politics, it's stuff like this that reminds me that partisanship can be set aside in order to hear a good idea and build consensus around it.
Not to jump too deeply into politics, it's stuff like this that reminds me that partisanship can be set aside in order to hear a good idea and build consensus around it.
[ Read All Comments ]
This week saw a new addition to Apple's Beats headphones lineup, while Apple appears to have leaked images of its upcoming 16-inch MacBook Pro in the new macOS 10.15.1 betas.
Other top...
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Plex to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a cord-cutting bundle that includes a lifetime Plex Pass, an antenna, and a TV tuner for...
Google Maps for iOS is gaining a new feature today that's designed to allow people to report crashes, speed traps, and traffic slowdowns right from their iPhones.
Reporting traffic accidents...
Apple this week introduced Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones in a new Camo Collection, available in either Forest Green or Sand Dune.
The Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones in the Camo Collection...
Apple Arcade gained a batch of new games today for the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac.
The latest titles available include real-time player-versus-player baseball game "Ballistic...
Apple today sent out emails for a new Apple Pay promotion, offering a $5 discount on groceries when you spend $35 or more through Instacart. To get the discount, you'll need to use Apple...
Luna Display today introduced a new Mac-to-Mac mode that allows any Mac released within the last decade to be used as a second display for another Mac. This includes any combination of Macs, ranging...
Apple has released a third trailer for the upcoming comedy series "Dickinson" ahead of its November 1 premiere on Apple TV+.
Dickinson is a half-hour comedy series starring...
