Apple Informs FCC Boss He Doesn't Know How iPhones Work Last week, FCC boss Ajit Pai published a missive (pdf) proclaiming he was taking a stand for public safety by demanding that Apple "activate the FM chips that are already installed in almost all smartphones sold in the United States." This would, the agency boss insisted, be an immeasurable public safety benefit in times of disaster, such as in the wake of recent hurricanes Harvey, Irma. and Maria.

“Apple is the one major phone manufacturer that has resisted doing so," stated Pai. "But I hope the company will reconsider its position, given the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria," said the agency head. "That’s why I am asking Apple to activate the FM chips that are in its iPhones. It is time for Apple to step up to the plate and put the safety of the American people first." The only problem? Apple says there aren't any FM chipsets in the last few generations of iPhone to activate. "Apple cares deeply about the safety of our users, especially during times of crisis and that’s why we have engineered modern safety solutions into our products," the company said in a statement. "Users can dial emergency services and access Medical ID card information directly from the Lock Screen, and we enable government emergency notifications, ranging from Weather Advisories to AMBER alerts," the company continued. " iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 models do not have FM radio chips in them nor do they have antennas designed to support FM signals , so it is not possible to enable FM reception in these products." With that challenge apparently "fixed," Pai can get back to his primary agenda at the agency: With that challenge apparently "fixed," Pai can get back to his primary agenda at the agency: gutting net neutrality privacy and other protections for the consumers he professes to be so desperately concerned about.







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Most recommended from 45 comments

oldschool

join:2016-12-03

Frederick, MD ·DIRECTV

·Comcast XFINITY

·Callcentric

12 recommendations oldschool Member I think FM radio is a good idea While I don't see any reason for the FCC to single out Apple for not providing FM radio in their phones, I still believe it's a good idea. When disasters happen the internet, cell phone towers and all that infrastructure gets overloaded. Old fashioned radio broadcast is the most reliable way to get information out to the masses. I think they should consider requiring all phones made in the future to provide FM radio, but bitching about current or old phones isn't gonna do any good (for all the technical reasons people have stated above).

pende_tim

Premium Member

join:2004-01-04

Andover, NJ 8 recommendations pende_tim Premium Member Older Phones? Do older iPhones, pre iPhone 7, have FM chips?



If so, how many of then are still in use? Bob61571

join:2008-08-08

Washington, IL 2 edits 8 recommendations Bob61571 Member Heard Radio Ads for this over the last few years?



»freeradioonmyphone.org/



List of smartphones w/FM Radio capability, by phone model and carrier.

»nextradioapp.com/support ··· devices/



NAB has been lobbying for this for years. See this site on their campaign.

»nabpilot.org/work/projec ··· tphones/



Looks like NAB is promoting FM Radio use on smartphones since the latest hurricanes, as a public safety issue. Per one of these, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel has editorialized on the issue. ....

»freeradioonmyphone.org/news/ NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) have run radio ads on contacting your smart phone maker and your provider on activating the FM Chip in your smart phone. Certainly not all smart phones have FM Receiving capability. Many have the capability, but it is not turned on(per the commercial). Per this site, looks like the NAB is targeting Apple as of last week or so.List of smartphones w/FM Radio capability, by phone model and carrier.NAB has been lobbying for this for years. See this site on their campaign.Looks like NAB is promoting FM Radio use on smartphones since the latest hurricanes, as a public safety issue. Per one of these, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel has editorialized on the issue. ....