It’s a natural: if you using an iPod for music, wouldn’t you also want to listen to the radio? Many MP3 players have built-in FM radios, but the iPod didn’t – built in or external – for years. That's changed.
Many iPod accessories use the FM radio band to broadcast songs from the iPod to a home or car stereo. Only a handful, though, actually allow you to listen to the radio over your iPod. Here’s a quick round-up of your options.
1. 5th Generation iPod nano
image copyright Apple Inc.
2. iPod Radio Remote, by Apple
This remote plugs into the dock connector of any video iPod or iPod nano. With it installed, you can tune to any FM station using the remote or the clickwheel. In a nice touch, Apple offers two tuning styles: digital or with a "dial," mimicking the tuning experience of classic radios.
As well as working as an FM tuner, the radio remote (which is powered by the iPod) serves as a remote control. This means more cables to potentially get tangled in, though the product’s weight (15.7 grams) is a nice compensation.
The iPod Radio Remote works in the US/Canada, Europe, and Japan.
3. iFM, by Griffin Technologies
The iFM, Griffin’s second entry into this market (the first was scuttled by Apple changing plugs on older iPods), is very much like the iPod Radio Remote. It sits inline with the headphones, connects to the iPod through the dock connector, is powered by the iPod, and supports US, European, and Japanese radio bands.
The primary differences between Apple’s product and Griffin’s are that Griffin’s is a slight bit heavier (it weights in at just over 17 grams) and bigger, and that it’s compatible with more iPods (it works with models from the third generation up, including the iPod photo and mini).
4. FM Xtra 2.0, by Digisette
This product is only available in the UK. That may be OK, as it doesn't seem to elicit many positives.
Though the FM Xtra achieves the same result as Apple and Griffin’s products – getting FM radio to the iPod – it does it in many different ways.
It connects to the iPod’s headphone jack. This makes it compatible with more iPods, but it also means that you’re forced to use the included headphones, rather than ones you choose. It is also battery powered (two AAAs), rather than drawing its power from the iPod, meaning that it’s likely to be heavier than either competitor.
Digisette does not seem to have a website.
