Conventional wisdom suggests that iPod owners are swimming in their own collections, and leaving programmed radio stations behind.
That certainly sounds like the typical iPod owner, though fresh research indicates that a large number of portable music fans want terrestrial radio receptivity. According to a recent internet-based poll conducted by Jacobs Media, 33 percent of respondents expressed a preference for FM radio in their next portable media device. And among iPod owners, the number was a more substantial 41 percent. In both cases, the preference for radio receptivity outweighed demand for increased capacity, a larger screen, and video playback. “It’s a no-brainer,”said Fred Jacobs, head of the research group. “If Apple truly wishes to make the most versatile, user-friendly personal MP3 devices, an FM tuner should be standard equipment.”
Currently, iPod owners can grab FM receptivity by purchasing an add-on from a large number of companies. But off-the-shelf, the iPod does not contain terrestrial radio reception, an approach that Jacobs disagreed with. But tempering the opinion is a potentially heavy skew in the results, which were compiled by a company that focuses its expertise on rock radio. In fact, the survey pool of 25,000 was pulled from nearly 70 rock radio stations across the United States, a selection process that offers a less-balanced consumer picture. Meanwhile, Apple is most likely reviewing sales data on add-ons like FM receivers, and weighing its product decisions on actual buying information. A number of iPod rivals, including the Microsoft Zune and a range of SanDisk players, currently offer FM receptivity.