Compact Flash FM Radio card for your Pocket PC

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.prolink.com.tw/new_web/news/fm201.htm">http://www.prolink.com.tw/new_web/news/fm201.htm</a><br /><br />I've seen requests for a card like this for a few years, and here it is. It is a CF-I card, so all Pocket PC's can use it. The user interface supports scanning, auto memory preset, 18 memory presets, soft mute, volume and more. It claims Windows CE compatability, so I see no reason it wouldn't work with a Handheld PC too, but I would check on that before getting one. No word on pricing or availability.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2002/20020711-cfradio.jpg" /><br /><br />It is a neat idea, but not one that makes sense to me. I rarely listen to the radio though, much preferring Audible content or MP3/WMA files. If this is a $100 card, I would rather spend that on a 256MB CF card which will get close to 8 hours of music, but that is me. How many of you would want FM radio on your Pocket PC? <br /><br />They also have a PCMCIA-II radio card for your laptop, though you could just use the CF card with a PCMCIA-CF adapter. Source: Pino Paparone

[PPCRules]

http://www.prolink.com.tw/new_web/news/fm201.htm
It is a CF-I card, so all Pocket PC's can use it.
We can only wish all PocketPCs had CF slots.

I'm one who has been looking for something like this ever since I've had a PPC. Loading content gets old, and having a radio that small, since you already have the user interface bulk, makes a lot of sense to me.

[butch]

Hummm.... Windows CE compatibility, but I think there is only ARM-based devices listed.... what about older CPU????

[madmaxmedia]

I would just buy a small walkman type radio for $15.

I can see the benefit of integrating a radio in a PDA, but for $100? Is there anyone here that really intends to buy this thing?

Even if I was rich there are other things I would do than buy a $100 AM/FM radio. Now if you could listen to satellite radio or streaming web audio that might be interesting...

[Paul P]

I'm one who has been looking for something like this ever since I've had a PPC. Loading content gets old, and having a radio that small, since you already have the user interface bulk, makes a lot of sense to me.

Agreed. Always nice to have when you want something new to listen to. Also nice for when you want to check out the news on the radio or listen morning talk radio (switch to SD during the commercials, of course).

I would buy it, but not at that price. ($30-40 sounds reasonable to me)

Wonder what will be the effect on the battery life?

[dcharles18]

FM I could care less about. If it were AM, it would be a different story. (I'm a talk radio junkie :wink: )

[[Cruzer]]

just point me a place to buy this... I want one....

[heyday]

If it were $40 and did AM then I would get one. Also it would be cool if there was some way to record programs like talk radio shows on a storage card.... for playback at a later time.

Kind of like a Tivo for your radio....

heyday

[mhynek]

This might be nice for some, but not for me. I use a Sony stereo radio headset with an input port. I use the port on the headset with a male/male line to my Ipaq for digital music. The headset was only fifty bucks.

[Sven Johannsen]

....No word on pricing or availability.

If this is a $100 card....

You guys got caught up on price pretty quick. Note there is no price mentioned, or any source, or any time frame. Ed made an offhand comment about how he would spend his $100.

I don't think this is a technological marvel. I have a headset FM radio that is 15 years old that is smaller in volume than that bulge in the pictures, and that is only because the battery is in there, and they needed volume and station knobs. The question on deciding to produce one of these is 'how many can we sell, and at what price.' Hope it makes business sense to sell a zillion at a decent price, cuz I'll get one.

[Sven Johannsen]

I use a Sony stereo radio headset with an input port. I use the port on the headset

You wouldn't have the model # on that would you? Sounds like a neat item.

[Dave Conger]

This would be something simple and cool to have....if the price was right of course. It is nice to have everything built in to one product (at least that is my opinion).

Hummm.... Windows CE compatibility, but I think there is only ARM-based devices listed.... what about older CPU????

Probably only ARM since their is required software that goes with it and the only list ARM devices.

[Inventor]

I was waiting for something like this since the Velo1 CE1.0 but:

1) There are other types of radio (Satelite Radio) that have come out that are much more robust. I know that they are expensive right now but they will come down in price. Also once we find a viable wireless internet, streaming over the internet radio would be a better choice.

2) Some radio stations transmit the song information and data with the music (eg. Song Name, Radio Station ID, Time Left, Artists web site, Images etc.) this data doesn't look like its supported on this player :cry: .

3) The previous post about recording what you hear is a great idea. If you could have a "instant" record button then you could make clips. Even better the abilty to record Mp3 files.

4) Why not AM? Most people would want this device for news, weather updates. In Canada FM is for music and AM for news and info.

5) Why not a slot so you can place your "Real CF Card into". I need my CF card in at all times. Why not have a place to put your CF card into the device so you dont loose the ONLY CF card slot.

[RickP in AZ]

FM I could care less about. If it were AM, it would be a different story. (I'm a talk radio junkie :wink: )

Thank goodness I'm not the only one. Give me an AM CF card at a resonable price and my hand would be a blur of green and black leather as I looked for a place to throw the money.

RickP in AZ

[kagayaki1]

I really like this idea. I too am a talk radio junkie, so the AM would be a must. But I can see how the entertainment-oriented (i.e. the ones who listen to FM stations more) PPC users would think this was great.

But the price has to be right, doesn't it?

If it had AM, and the price was right (whatever that means to you), it is nice to know you could travel around without having to carry multiple items. And that is exactly why paying $30-$40 for this card would be better than any $15 walkman.

[Ed Hansberry]

Well, there is some interest. Cool. To each his own. As Sven correctly pointed out, my $100 remark was speculation. For all I know, it could be $25 or $200. Let me know if anyone finds a source and I'll post on it.

[normaldude]

FM I could care less about. If it were AM, it would be a different story. (I'm a talk radio junkie :wink: )

I agree 100%. I'd like to listen to news, traffic reports.. AM radio stuff!

btw, a Secure Digital card would be even better.. I have a Toshiba e310.

[T-Will]

AM is definately a must and the price needs to be near the price of high end AM/FM portable radios.

[sundown]

I want one if the price is right and I am an FM news junkie - NPR, specifically. Someday it would be cool if we could get satellite radio. Especially if my XM Radio subscription covered me in my car (Jeep) and my pocket PC.

[madmaxmedia]

You guys got caught up on price pretty quick. Note there is no price mentioned, or any source, or any time frame. Ed made an offhand comment about how he would spend his $100.

Oops. I would imagine it will be far cheaper than that. I mean it's basically a radio the size of CF card, minus the speaker. Of course there's more but you know what I mean. If there's too much more to it then I don't think they would've bothered making it.

Unfortunately, I think the device will give you a trick eye-

http://www.prolink.com.tw/new_web/image/product_image/n&c/image/fm1%2B1_r1_c1.jpg

[Kirk Stephens]

PPC Newbies have been asking about a product like this for years on the various forums...While this product may not be perfect, I am very glad to see the recent surge in hardware development for the Pocket PC.

What would make this product better: AM Capability, XM Capability (maybe a little too far fetched :lol: ), TV Tuning Capability, Record Function.

While those features seem like a lot to pack into a small CF card, I think people would be a lot more willing to pay for a card that received TV and Radio signals. Also, a software application that allowed users to record songs off of the radio into .wav or .mp3 format would make this product much more useful.

[jngold_me]

To heck with news and traffic! One reason to have AM....to listen to the ball games! :D Come on vendors, get us an AM unit! I have one of those mini AM/FM radios, but it would be nice just to carry one device.

Cheers!

[jerrytroll]

I have to agree with EdH on this one and say that I'd rather spend the $ on a 256mb CF card, and carry around not just music but whatever else, instead of a tuner. However, the concept is cool.

My question is this: Since FM tuners are now so very small, and use little power, why don't some PPC manufacturers (or Palm for that matter) just throw one in with their units, kinda like a lot of CD player makers are now putting them in the lids of their units

[thenikjones]

I'm sure that certain mobile phones (Nokias) require the use of handphones with their radio function as the lead acts as an aerial. Would this card require the same? If so I'd find it much less useful as I use the bulit-in speaker to listen to music.

[dhpss]

Would that be a neat idea to have the FM/AM radio built in the hardware of PPC. (I want the radio but not in CF format, I am having the microdrive in my PPC all the time. The idea of swapping CF cards scares me off (I will certainly lose my Microdrive,....)

Another idea, I am using the tiny iRock $30 device that broadcast any audio source in FM so all the MP3 files stored on the CF card (PPC) can be heard on my stereo or my car stereo. I wish that the PPC hardware could have this built in as well. I look inside of these device there is very little electronics.

[CR]

Now, I would definitely buy this if it had AM/FM AND a linein/mic in port(s). I'm still not sure why PPC manufacturers don't give us an external jack along with the builtin mic.

[Terry]

AM radio is more difficult to embody in a small device since AM needs a big antenna (FM can often get away without one at all). Even CF might just be a bit too small for AM & FM electronics (although TV sound should be pretty easy to add). I suspect that the electronics for AM are significantly different from FM since neither my Ham radio or digtal scanner receive AM (but will receive virtually everything in the FM range...except cellular). I'm thinking of getting the FM add-on for my Motorola V60 telephone for 40 bucks, so I'd consider about the same price for a CF card instead.

[Kre]

I think its a pretty cool idea. Although I wonder since we have Gps units in CF form, why cant they stick satellite radio into this device. Id give anything to be able to receive Sirius radio on a handheld. Although it would be even better if hp could integrate this capability into the Ipaq. Hey, I can dream cant I?

I wonder though, why someone hasnt come out with a CF TV tuner. I have a small Casio color TV and it doesnt seem like their are many components left when you take away the LCD, the speaker, the slot for the batteries, jacks, button and wheel assemblies, and the whole casing itself. I often wonder why they cant stuff the remaining components into a CF card with maybe a small housing on top for the antenna and anything else. A device like this could use a handhelds display, speaker, batteries, and everything else, so why doesnt someone try to make it happen :?: Id buy one. And better yet, a combo TV, satellite radio card would be the best, but I suppose this is pie in the sky.

[rlitchfield]

I would love to have one, for around the $40 or less range. It would be great for the train commute I do everyday here in Montreal.

Robert

[Sven Johannsen]

Id give anything to be able to receive Sirius radio on a handheld

Anything? :twisted: :wicked laugh:

[Kre]

Id give anything to be able to receive Sirius radio on a handheld

Anything? :twisted: :wicked laugh:

OK, dude, yer startin to creep me out now :lol:
***Begins to draw line in sand with stick***

[Dave Conger]

Just for those who are wondering, I was informed the retail price is to be $29. So, that seems to be around what most would be willing to pay for it.

But...any 3970 users might not be able to use this. Prolink says they aren't supporting the 3970.

[Terry]

I received a catalog today that has an AM/FM Stereo mini radio for $7.95 including ear buds. Can't vouch for the quality, but sorta makes 29 bucks for a CF FM-only (sans IPAQ 39xx) hardly worthwhile...

[Dave Conger]

...including ear buds...

The in the package with the CF card will be headphones (ear buds) as well. :lol: I know, that made all the difference right?

[Terry]

...including ear buds...

The in the package with the CF card will be headphones (ear buds) as well. :lol: I know, that made all the difference right? hehehe...yep...all the difference! :D

[ECOslin]

I'm curious if anyone has seen either a PDA with native TV tuner capabilities or a compact flash card to add it in?

I had already found the CF radio site at the beginning of this thread.
and I found http://www.papyrus.co.il/Products/compact_flash_voyager_vga.htm
video out from a compact flash card.

Or a CF adapter to a PCMCIA TV tuner card, though someone would have to write their own capture driver to make it work.

Just because I haven't seen it doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.

Edward

[Dave Conger]

Hasn't happened yet. There was a Korean (I think) iPAQ TV Tuner sleeve, but it has gone by the wayside. The CF FM card is a step in that direction, but until then you will just have to use SnapStream and record your shows.

[Pony99CA]

Just for those who are wondering, I was informed the retail price is to be $29. So, that seems to be around what most would be willing to pay for it.
Yes, this was a dead thread, but I happened to come across it while searching for CF radio information, so I thought I'd update it.

I've found CF FM radio cards three places, but not at $29:

Expansys (http://www.expansys.us/product.asp?code=FM201) -- The real ProLink CF FM radio; $46.55
iBiz Technology (http://ibizpda.com/pocketradio.html) -- these guys may be the U.S. distributor; $49.99
Convergent Technology (http://stores.comunion.com/clients/ConvergentTech/index.cfm?action=cat.productOptions&productID=73566&categoryid=3355) -- these guys sell a bunch of things; $37.99

I don't know if the last two versions are the ProLink; they look identical except for the color, but who knows?

Interestingly, iBiz is taking pre-orders for an SD version (http://store.yahoo.com/ibizpda/sdppo.html). Unfortunately, they're only claiming Palm support for now. :-(

Steve