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http://www.esato.com/phones/index.php?phone=107&cp=97&cp2=87

I wonder why do most smartphones doesn't come with a radio function.
N1, 6600, P900, P800. With the exeption of Siemens X1.

"Why the need of radio when you have an Mp3 player?"
Please answer with reasons other than the one above.
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Posted: 2003-11-10 16:23:09
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Power consumption.

Developers have to remove one or two features when available stand-by/talk time is in question. I would omit the least in-demand feature to bump up the available power.
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Posted: 2003-11-10 16:41:50
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To be fair an inbuilt radio isn't really something that I would consider a deciding feature in a phone. It would be nice if it had it, but I don't really care if it has one or not. I agree with the chap above, the designers will have ommitted a radio because it isn't as popular as other features. You answered your own question wonderfully with the comment about an MP3 player, when it comes down to it, which one would you rather have?
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Posted: 2003-11-10 17:35:39
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Rocky, first of all... a music player of any kind on a mobile phone isn't really essential to have built-in ... even an MP3 player...BUT since most smartphones already have the necessary memory & CPU power, manufacturers throw in an MP3 player just the same.

A radio on the other hand, requires dedicated hardware (for tuning) and usually it's own antenna (FM/AM reception cannot use the GSM antenna since this is tuned for much higher frequencies)

Now, listening to music on your mobile phone speaker sounds...well... crappy... so you resort to using earphone right? Now, given that you need to carry around earphones just to listen to the radio anyway, wouldn't it make more sense to make a radio handsfree instead? You get a much better interface which doesn't interfere with your phone's functions, drains very little power since you can disconnect it all together...plus you get better reception since the antenna is housed away from all the higher powered GSM transmitters and Bluetooth chips found inside the smartphone.

Now if the only reason for wanting a radio...is just to have one... well, then that's kinda dumb. Just like those people who want to stream MP3s over Bluetooth... why??!?! Just so you can say "I can listen to my MP3s wirelessly, even if they sound like crap!"
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Posted: 2003-11-10 17:55:29
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extra hardware = more expencive;)
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Posted: 2003-11-10 18:10:00
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I take exxception to the comment about streaming mp3's over bluetooth. I would like to see that done, but only if a way could be found to improve the quality.
As I mentioned before, SE have a bluetooth MP3 player out at the moment. Its on their website.
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Posted: 2003-11-10 18:15:23
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And next year theres phones with build-in radio's being released along with smartphones with radio and the ability to record radio too. This message was posted from a Nokia
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Posted: 2003-11-10 18:37:11
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Thanks all!!

I am convinced now that a smartphone does not need a radio function...

About the Mp3 streaming, i believe we need to wait for 3G for that maybe

@Scally_cadet
where did you get that info from? About the smartphone with radio.
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Posted: 2003-11-11 13:50:11
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I actully prefer having the radio as a clip on as it doubles as a handsfree. Its not to bulky and less more memory and speed for essential applications.
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Posted: 2003-11-11 14:47:05
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I have four memory sticks duo that I use them to store Mp3 files. Also I like to connect my P800 with TravelSound speaker to listen MP3. I would love to have radio so instead of just listening MP3, I can listen radio also. I would be great feature for me.
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Posted: 2003-11-12 02:47:52
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