Nokia postions visual radio against DAB

A TECHNOLOGY WHICH combines GPRS data with standard FM radio has just been launched by Nokia. A prototype of the first handset to boast this new 'visual radio' capability, the 7700, has also been seen by The INQ.

The aim with visual radio is to allow those with GPRS/GSM handsets that also have an FM radio capability built-in to see relevant content in colour via an Opera browser. Although Nokia already ships its 8310 handset with an FM radio capability, upgrading it to visual radio doesn't appear possible. The aptly named Reidar (pronounced Radar) Wasenius, senior project manager with Nokia, claims that between 18 to 24 months from now, there will be "tens of millions of visual radio enabled handsets out there." The 7700 will ship first in June [2004].

Nokia intends to make the technology available to rival handset manufacturers and indeed it has already set a precedent by licensing its Push-To-Talk handset technology to Samsung. One of the most attractive capabilities of visual radio will be the ability to download the ring tone of the current song playing on the radio with just two clicks. The only radio station to have publicly committed to visual radio is Kiss FM in Finland but British radio stations are said to be very interested.

Content is created using XML and sent via HTTP over GPRS to compatible handsets. Editing consoles to create visual radio content will be sold by H-P and slot into its existing server based broadcast systems.

Asked why Nokia has created something new when DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) supplies content for free, Wasenius claimed that DAB chips currently draw too much power for handsets. Constantly view colour visual radio content, listening to the radio and having a live (and expensive) GPRS connexion all running simultaneously will deplete battery life down to around 4 hours. Although Wasenius hopes when the 7700 finally ships this figure will have risen to 8 hours. The other advantage over DAB is that the connexion is bi-directional making participating in competitions much easier than by text (SMS). µ

L'INQ
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