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> except as a cost cutting feature how much does that save?!? I've literally built AM radios by accident.

• panic 4y ago
  Complete tangent, but why don't they put simple AM radio receivers (or even low power transmitters) in cell phones? Imagine the cool stuff you could do with an AM radio API!
  • mh- 4y ago
    Some phones did. FM too. Sony I think? Early-mid 2000s I'm thinking.
    • toyg 4y ago
      My Nokia N900 had an FM receiver and transmitter, I used it a few times to stream music to my old car.
      • pcdoodle 4y ago
        That TX feature is awesome as someone who enjoys older cars.
        • olyjohn 4y ago
          Yeah that's so cool. I mean Bluetooth was crap back then, if it was even a thing at all. Only way you could listen to music on your existing home / car stereo without any wires.
    • IronWolve 4y ago
      My cellphone has FM built in also, I just have to plug in headphones. Wish I had AM, I normally just stream AM over data. Many still do. https://www.kimovil.com/en/best-smartphones-fm-radio https://www.kimovil.com/en/best-smartphones-fm-radio
  • kkylin 4y ago
    I recall an HN thread in which it was claimed that in fact most phones can, but to enable it means more FCC certifications etc. Can't find it offhand; someone more knowledgeble should jump in. (I'd love such a feature myself.)
  • TulliusCicero 4y ago
    Because 0.01% of people would actually use this.
  • oblio 4y ago
    For the same reason they took out the FM radio on phone, those devices with a million antennas in them: It makes it harder for them to sell you Apple Music, Google Music, Spotify, etc.
  • JohnFen 4y ago
    They used to! But you had to use wired earphones for it, because they'd use the earphone wire as the antenna.
  • weberer 4y ago
    Some phones do. I had a Motorolla G5 Plus a couple years ago, and used it often to listen to the radio on walks.