Mobile

Why mobile phones have no AM Radio?

Abe Olandres October 15, 2008 · 2 min read

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About a year ago, I asked the guys at Nokia Singapore why they don’t have AM radio tuners to pair with the millions of FM tuner capable phones they develop. I thought the answer was in the north of physics, something that had to do with frequency modulation and amplitude modulation. I guessed wrong.

The truth is, it’s largely got to do with market demand. Who would want to use AM radio on their phones? I told them, AM radio is still hot and raging in the Philippines especially with regular folks that listen to news.

The other day, one of those blind masseurs in the malls told me he’s been waiting this one great feature a mobile phone should have — an AM radio. I agreed and told him about my earlier discussion with the people from Nokia.

I myself very rarely use the FM tuner on my phone. I already have an iPod and a Zune to get my dose of music. More often than not, I tune in to one of the AM radio stations that rebroadcasts TV Patrol or GMA News in my car at around 6:30PM. I think this might also be true to other people as well.

Actually, there are some phones that both have AM radio (e.g. Sony Ericsson R300i, R306i) but if they could put FM tuners on half of the phones sold each year, why not just add AM tuner to it?

Why don’t we ask readers if they’d prefer AM radio or FM radio on their mobile phones?

React to this article:

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Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

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178 Comments

Dr. Joseph Taylor · 17 years ago

I would love to have an AM tuner on my phone! I listen to talk radio here in the US all day long, and think FM is pointless. I like music to sound GOOD, not staticky with poor reception with commercials. With AM I could listen privately and not have to turn down the speakers when colleagues walk in. Would love to know of any phones with this feature! –Joey

robert5556666 · 14 years ago

i totally agree with you my friend

Lance · 18 years ago

yeah, hope they would come up to one.. they could create hundreds of phone models, why can’t they create one that has an AM on it?

hegu · 18 years ago

NOKIA, please manufacture an AM tuner mobile phone!!!!!

Jarod · 18 years ago

I seldom use my FM tuner over the MP3 player. But an AM would surely come handy especially during the months of typhoon when electricity is out.

AM=rich in information & entertainment
FM=rich in only one aspect of entertainment.Music that is.

Herb · 18 years ago

AM Radio for mobile phone… TWO THUMBS UP!

for News, Weather & Traffic Info anytime anywhere.. AM function would serve more during power outages and disaster situation..

Jan · 18 years ago

Well, my iPhone doesnt have both. darn.

kath · 18 years ago

well i dont listen to am or fm actually coz i prefer listening to pure music and the mp3s on my walkman phone are enough. but actually, i do believe a lot of pinoys would want to have both am and fm on their phone especially our parents and grandparents and those who do listen to news when they cant be infornt of the tv.

jong · 18 years ago

i’d love to have an AM tuner in my phone

Andy · 18 years ago

i prefer to have both. Best of both worlds? why not. i had the same question too and i was glad i found the answer here. i hope mobile phone manufacturers will take heed to this call. INGATS!

ryan · 18 years ago

I hate FM stations…bunch of self absorbed DJs who thinks their voice could change the world. I don’t even watch regular and Cable TV (that are also biased). AM radio is the only way to go. Although most of their English sucks (at least in may area) they are at least sincere in telling what it really is..I’m already suspending my breakfasts to grab the R300i. :) Hala Bira Ilonggo!

bing · 18 years ago

I would prefer an AM tuner on my mobile phone. In this country especially in ILOILO, there are many listeners and even followers of programs that are aired in this frequency. The far- flung residents would opt to have their mobile phone equipped with such tuner. This is a better tool of information in times of calamity and disaster.

Nick · 18 years ago

This’ been a mystery to me as well. :)

Alex · 18 years ago

as a blogger, i need to be updated with current events to have something to write in my media blog. i bought a cheap radio transistor and always brings it with me when i’m on the go.

havagut · 18 years ago

now that’s a great feature to have — to really keep us up-to-date with everything that’s going on. an AM radio tuner is definitely more useful than an FM radio, considering that almost all new mobile phones can be loaded with MP3s.

juntar · 18 years ago

Guys & Gals,

The R300 & R306 are both equipped with an AM and FM tuner. It’s very handy and has loud speaker volume. Try it as we already tried it here in Cebu….

earthlingorgeous · 18 years ago

Yup an AM radio in mobile phones will work for me! Actually I have to buy those cheap transistor radios just to be able to listen to the AM news while on the move.

Lope · 18 years ago

It would be nice if both AM and FM are available in the phone.Anyway don’t worry the day will come one day.Rest assured.

mang_go · 18 years ago

ayus din may am radio para naman hindi na lang puro music ang cellphone at may mga balita rin.. hehe!

nikko · 18 years ago

i think the AM radio feature isn’t that expensive to add.

i’ve also wondered before why there’s no AM radio for the mobile phones.

ron · 18 years ago

gusto ko din ng phone na may am tuner.

juntar · 18 years ago

Hi… i’m inviting you to visit one of my profiles in friendster (http://profiles.friendster.com/hitechtabai)which also provide support to my sci-tech radio show “Hi-Tech ‘Ta Bai!”. I have a recent blogpost about radio tuner in cellphones.In the blog, i gave an overview, why mobile phones took a long time to sport an AM radio tuner.I have also made a review on the new SonyEricsson R300 and R306 radio cellphone.
Many of us here in Cebu are now using the R300 or R306 from SE and update ourselves with latest news while mobiling without bringing an extra gadget(an AM monitor).

Rondon · 18 years ago

I’ve been looking for this feature for years and was wondering why ordinary mp3 players don’t have it too. I even wanted to look for that phone and AM to give as a gift for my Dad.

Paul · 18 years ago

tagal ko na din hinihintay AM tuner para sa Nokia, kasi pag brownout wala kaming means para malaman mga balita speacially kung may bagyo:) para din updated kami kung may pasok o wala..:)

Mark Ian · 18 years ago

I still prefer AM on cellphones, not because I’m a fan of afternoon dramas but because I want to listen to the latest local news here in Iloilo and due to the fact that we don’t have radio at home. :P

rene · 18 years ago

thumbs up great observation especially during calamities floods typhoons we need the mighty AM radio for fast news on the hour by the hour

Jay · 18 years ago

as a reader and as a technophile, i believe that putting an AM feature on my phone would be totally useless. i mean being a youth i wouldn’t even dare to listen on those “oldies” stations. screw them!

man! this is a phone, get a radio if you wanna have AM. this is ridiculous.

Leo · 18 years ago

hindi pala ako nag iisa waiting for this very simple feature in a mobile phone.

Kenneth · 18 years ago

You got it right! I myself loves music and uses gadgets such as mp3 players, iPods and other devices that come handy to listen to music. But I wish I had a mobile phone such as those indicated above. Since, AM stations are still a best source of information, especially during rainy days when class suspension would be announced. LOL! :-)

ralph · 18 years ago

kung lalagyan ng a.m. it is in the khz range tas ang circuit na gagamitin sa tingin ko ai magiging bulky na ang mobile phone. since wavelength = speed of light / frequency so kailangan ng antenna that is for ground wave propagation.

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 18 years ago

@BrianB – the provincial term is “hilot”.

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 18 years ago

@Bon – thanks for the tip. Yep, I knew about myPhone (SGI) but haven’t heard they’re coming out with cheap phones with AM tuner. That will be “patok” with regular folks. Will watch out for this.

Lover Boy (Check my Site) · 18 years ago

I admit I follow certain AM radio shows but I still prefer the FM. The trend now is that several FM stations are serving us not only with good music but with news and latest hype as well.

Bon · 18 years ago

Abe,

From Inquirer.Net, 05 Oct 2008: “SGI is also set to launch 10 models of its myPhone mobile phone series. One of these new models will feature an AM radio for as low as P2,000 per unit. SGI will also be introducing four or five dual SIM phones, which will be sold from P3,500 to P8,500.”

(Tried posting the link here but your antispam filter prevented me from doing so – just Google myphone “am radio”

Bon · 18 years ago

Abe,

I recall reading that the Solid Group (who sells the dual-sim MyPhone) will be selling a myPhone-branded budget model with a built-in AM radio for only P2,000, catering specifically to the local market’s preference for AM programming. Check out [url]http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20081005-164734/Filipino-branded-laptops-may-be-out-soon[/url]

JoeyT · 18 years ago

It’s a good thing that Sony Ericsson came up with AM/FM phones. Why? Aside from getting out of the FM chatter, I’d like to listen to news updates on the AM side once in a while esp. if there’s a national emergency, typhoons and the like. Besides, a phone with AM/FM capability completes the cycle of going mobile without bringing an additional device that can monitor AM frequencies.

Nonoy · 18 years ago

Same here, I would love to have AM tuner in my phone instead of FM.

fangli · 18 years ago

I actually prefer AM radio feature for my phone, than FM. :(

butzyzk · 18 years ago

i think there is actually a bigger demand for these kind of phones (with am radio) than the manufacturer’s info.
i purchased my cp last june and if at that time there are cp’s with am radio, i sure have chosen one.

BrianB · 18 years ago

My thoughts exactly Abe. Hindi kasi tayo ang gumagawa eh.

Blind masseuse. For charity? There are a lot of massage joints out there.

lui manansala · 18 years ago

yes, why not AM band TOO! i would usually carry a transistor with me when not home if i want to keep abreast of the latest news.

eric · 18 years ago

I guess AM band should be added as a feature on new mobile units. there are just times that we need to update ourselves with the latest news but cant stay long enough inside the house, or got no time to scan the broadsheets, or browse the news sites.

Rico · 18 years ago

I mean “I think itâ€™s not that pricey” above. Sorry for the typo.

Rico · 18 years ago

Ok. Let me get this straight. With all the hi-tech stuff that surround phone engineers, they can’t make a phone with BOTH FM and AM?

Speaking of the demand, my phones have photo and music editors that I don’t use. Are they saying that there’s a demand for these features?

It would be best if they just put both AM and FM in. I thinks it’s that pricey. Plus it will be nice to have an AM option you know!

cris · 18 years ago

i agree with that. since most cellphones don’t have a tv tuner yet, having an AM radio signal would be very useful in getting news.

joseph · 18 years ago

I just can imagine senior citizens taking the public transport, all their headsets plugged in to their ears. I myself wondered why phones do not have AM tuners. Kinda dyahe to bring a walkman just to listen to AM.

sultanjr · 18 years ago

Having AM radio on a phone is an idea that Nokia and the other phone makers should seriously consider. AM radio is especially helpful during emergency situations like typhoons and other natural disasters, aside from regular news broadcasts. My phones all have FM radios but I don’t really use them. I use the flashlight on one of my phones more often than the FM radio it has.

ACS · 18 years ago

I cannot agree more. I think the feature would be really useful, not just on mobile phones but on mp3 players that have an FM tuner as well. Lord knows I sometimes want to listen to the news during my morning and evening commutes.

eman · 18 years ago

I agree. Personaly, I want this for news. There are times that news is important compare to regular music via FM or mp3 songs.

ricky · 18 years ago

i highly agree with you. AM feature will be so useful here in the Philippines (i dont know with other countries) esp for its wider range of news update and topic discussions (in diff languages/dialects as well, tagalog, english, bisaya, ilocano, chinese..name it.

and for the liking of the old folks, it has radio drama programs, classic songs and kundimans.

it is highly informative and entertaining as well. indeed, a productive way to ‘kill’ time.

so to you, nokia designers and engineers, if you are reading this, i dont think it would be costly for your billion-dollar empire to put that simple feature in your future mobile designs. i dont think its costly nor complicated to add that little piece of hardware in your gadgets.

with this feature, tech-savvy pip aside, those old folks and tech-resistant pips will be a great potential to add up to your more than 65% world mobile market dominion.

Aldrin · 18 years ago

Every once in a while, I ask this question to my peers as well in a joking way. I think it’s a good feature a phone to have, since I rarely see or heard news nowadays.