The news that Microsoft Zunes will contain HD Radio coming this fall is one of those "good news/bad news" situations. As a radio friend of mine notes, this may be akin to radio supporting Betamax.
No doubt about it, had the news been about HD Radio becoming standard equipment in Apple iPods, we'd all be thinking much differently. The Zune – like much of what has come out of Microsoft in recent years – is a "me, too" device that has low awareness and minimal penetration in the marketplace. Does it enhance radio's position to be included in these devices or is it yet another reminder that radio has fallen out of step with the consumer and favored gadgets? It is, nonetheless, a mini-tipping point for HD Radio – a far better story than the one about the technology being adopted in Panama.
It was also telling that many of radio's CEOs jumped on the bandwagon, and praised everyone from Microsoft to the HD Radio Alliance to iBiquity for this accomplishment. That's all well and good, but the reality is that the commitment level to this technology – and the programming and investment in HD2 stations – has been steadily eroding.
For radio, the Zune relationship is symbolic of the larger problem that to many we're a medium that is out-of-sync with where tastes and technology are going. Despite Microsoft's heft in the software world, the Zune lacks awareness, cache, and buzz. For many, this development will only reinforce the notion that radio's track record for picking partners and brands is questionable. We continue to look and act minor league.
One of my least favorite phrases is "baby steps." In this point in time, movement has to be rapid, precise, and laser-sharp. For HD Radio, it's a step, but far from a big one.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Excellent headline!
It doesn’t matter where HD radio goes – Zunes, cell phones, toasters – nobody wants it or even cares. It’s a service in search of a customer and aside from a few hard-care cases (very few) it’s gone and going nowhere.
“New Zune To Include HD Radio”
“Bob Struble, President/CEO of iBiquity Digital Corporation, commented, We are very excited about the launch of HD Radio technology on Microsoft’s Zune HD. We are planning with the HD Radio Alliance to promote Zune HD to consumers.”
https://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=1342290
“Are Ford and HD Radio in Sync?”
“The radio industry will, of course, promote Ford for free in exchange for this development as part of the presumably soon-to-expire pledge of airtime to the HD radio effort.”
https://www.hear2.com/2007/09/are-ford-and-hd.html
Ford dealer-installed HD Radio never materialized. This is simply the same strategy taken with everyone else – it’s all about the promotion of those that are willing to include HD Radio. Tit-for-tat – nothing that consumers actually demanded. The HD chipset is still very power-hungry (500mW) and Struble is shooting for battery life of 4 to 6 hours. This is very doubtful, as SiPort duped CES 2009 claiming 110mW, but that was for HD Radio Playback Mode only, which does not include live HD Radio. 160,000,000 iPods have sold, while only 2.5 million Zunes. Apple will never directly include HD Radio in its products. Micrsoft is hoping for free publicity to save their dying product. And, good-luck with reception, with those earbud antennas – most listeners have problems with dipole antennas.
As far as Panama, it’s funny that out of over 20,000 hits on my blog from 91 countries, I never once got a hit from Panama – something smells.