Can we please get FM radio support on at least some of the Verizon smart phones? Many of the same smart phones on Sprint have FM radio, and they offer the NextRadio app on these phones. Previous phones on Verizon supported this, but none of the newer phones support it.
Yes, I know there are streaming apps, but it's not the same and requires a cell signal to function. Some might think FM radio use is declining, but those users can leave it turned off. I think it would be a nice option to have with Verizon service.
bratch we want you to fully enjoy your device! We appreciate your feedback as we're continously offering new features for our customers to enjoy. In the mean time, as you mentioned, I would recommend checking Google Play http://bit.ly/1uBDuNb for an available app.
AshleyS_VZW
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As much as I'd like to see a Verizon phone with an FM radio that was not disabled, it's never going to happen! Verizon would rather you stream radio (or audio) and use your precious data, so you can go over your plan's data limit and they can charge you more.
The FM radio feature was included two of my previous Verizon smart phones, the Samsung Omnia and the Motorola Droid X, and I used it daily. Instead of offering a new feature to enjoy, this particular feature has been removed and/or disabled from all new smart phones on Verizon, but other carriers still offer the feature, even on the same model phones.
An app like iHeart, TuneIn, Pandora, or any other is NOT the same as an FM tuner. An FM tuner receives radio stations without a cellular or Wi-Fi signal. Search the forums or Google for "Verizon FM Radio" for more information, and to read about what others think of this. The latest I've heard is that the HTC One M8 has built-in tuner hardware, but the app to operate the tuner must be found and installed separately.
These phones contain advanced computer and communications technology. It should be nearly trivial to include an FM radio, preferable HD, and even easier to leave it enabled for use.
I agree - turn on the FM tuner! As a Verizon customer I request that you activate the FM chips in all smartphones you sell. This is more than just a matter of music convenience but a matter of public safety as well. Think of disaster warnings like earthquakes, tornadoes, etc. Cell towers were not up during the last large earthquake in Los Angeles but a lot of the radio stations were. In an emergency, the first thing people grab after their loved ones is the cellphone! So please, turn on the FM tuner!
Also, in a day where carriers & cable companies are being pressured to open up more services & being accused of 'monopolistic actions,' Verizon could take a good step towards showing a consumer-friendly service at little cost to Verizon. I can't believe Internet music streaming is more than an insignificant part of your data bandwidth anyway - not with all the cat-videos being downloaded. So Please, turn on the FM tuner!
Thank you!
There was another forum user that had the APK file to activate on the HTC. You would have to search the forum for the link to activate the radio. The other carriers I believe have the FM Radio operational at time of purchase. Why Verizon has it disabled I cannot even guess.
Good Luck
Only one reason to deactivate it...to force you to use your data plan. Tune In Radio will give you local stations, but at the cost of your precious data. Using the FM tuner does not use any data, therefore no gain for Verizon.
It's unfortunate that Verizon blocks the FM Radio function and Bloats up the software on their phones..... or should I say OUR PHONES! There is no doubt at this point in time that Verizon has the best overall network coverage, but they are also fast becoming one of the worst offenders at bleeding their customers of precious purchased data. As the coverage of other providers continues to increase and the data plans offer more data at a lower cost, I expect to see folks move their service to a more economically affordable service. As soon as I have met all of my obligations to Verizon, I plan to check to see if any others have coverage in my remote area, and take a close look to see what they offer. I have a Hotspot,a home phone and 2 mobile phones. My bill is $200/mo as long as we stay under a 10 GB/mo data use. One of the Data Hogs turned out to be the Automatic Updates to 2 computers and 2 mobile phones!
RushFan2112 wrote:
Only one reason to deactivate it...to force you to use your data plan. Tune In Radio will give you local stations, but at the cost of your precious data. Using the FM tuner does not use any data, therefore no gain for Verizon.
this. rushfan2112 is right, in my opinion. why give you free content when they can block it on their devices so you have to use your data? my suggestion would be to see if any of the devices sold directly by google or motorola, but that would work on verizon, have a radio. i haven't worried about it since i had the htc thunderbolt because i thought it would be a great feature until i realized that these phones with radios can only utilize them with the headphones plugged in and i'm not much of a headphone guy. however.....if there's any unlocked phones out there with an fm tuner on google play or motorola, you could always get that and activate it on verizon. i know you'd have to pay retail price, but with the newer bring your own device type of discounts, you don't pay much more (sometimes less). with a 10 gig plan, if you bring your own device, you get a $25/month discount. over 2 years you could use that $25 to buy a $600 phone from a third party. i honestly don't know if any of these phones with radios are sold unlocked by a 3rd party, but if so, that's an option.
I was a little surprised by this as well. On Sprint I had the NextRadio app to use the built in Radio to get local stations. It uses the headphones wire as an antennae and was better than the phones I used to have that had it built in. The "phone" I am using now has the ability. If I go into the hardware test it will ask me to plug in the headphones and when I do the test is performed successfully. I would say based on that the hardware isn't deactivated. However, NextRadio app says that, "FM Radio is unavailable. We'd Love to bring you local FM radio, but NextRadio doesn't have access to the FM radio receiver in your device. Let your wireless carrier know that you'd like to listen to free FM radio on your phone with NextRadio!". To me that doesn't make sense. A few attempts have been made to pass laws requiring mobile devices have a radio. I can only assume that has failed. Still if the hardware is there why not make it available.
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