The technology explosion continually challenges broadcast radio in homes, at work, and now, in cars. We've seen evidence of this in our Technology Polls, conducted among radio's most loyal listeners. At work, computers are far more ubiquitous than radios. At home, there's no shortage of gadgets and media, from the Internet, games, and television. And in the car – the former bastion of AM/FM radio – iPod connectivity is becoming more common, and the Internet is not far behind.
But the competitive issues facing radio go well beyond technology – they are also aesthetic in nature. While we were busy consolidating and going public in the '90s, elegant gadgets started flying out of Apple and other manufacturers, captivating consumers with their looks, feel, and functionality.
Remember the Billy Crystal parody of Fernando Lamas on SNL? My favorite line was "It's not how you feel but how you look." To consumers, the way a gadget looks and feels has become a critical factor. The elegance of an iPhone or a Nano says a great deal about how consumers perceive a product or a brand. The vibe of the Apple store is captivating. Walking around a Best Buy, and checking out all the cool new toys is a fun shopping experience, but where does broadcast radio fit into that scene?
This was one of the key findings that we took out of "The Bedroom Project" more than two years ago. Our respondents fawned over their iPods and cool phones, but when the discussion turned to radio, we heard lines like:
"I have a radio in my radio clock… that's in the top of my closet."
"This radio doesn't work."
"My roommate has a clock radio."
"We have one in the bathroom… a boombox."
A boombox? A clock radio on the nightstand? Those are typical of the radios that many people still have in their homes. Most are decades old, and they look that way. If you're one of those people who doesn't understand why radio is so frequently disrespected by the media, one of the reasons has to be that physical radios have not aesthetically or technically kept up with the times. While the myriad of content choices from new media outlets are obvious challenges, appearance counts. Most radios look old, antiquated, and Jurassic. Radios from the '30s and '40s are cool and nostalgic. Radios from the '80s and '90s are just dated and old.
I visited the HD Radio site, just to see what those radios are all about, and many look pretty good. They're not necessarily cheap, but they do look better. And now the presence of HD Radio in Zune mp3 players should help.
But standalone HD Radios and satelitte radio are also competing against all these other gadgets that do a whole lot more. I recently happened across the new VTech (yes, the people who make the landline phones that are in many of our homes) IS91981 (yes, a lame name) – an Internet radio. It's an incredible device that looks good, and is loaded with incredible features that can change how consumers listen to radio – streaming and FM – at home and in the office.
The video link below provides a great walk-through of this VTech's Internet capabilities. Among its cool features is the ability to listen to streaming audio via your wireless Internet at home, connecting your MP3 player, and yes, listening to FM radio as well. And for $200, it's in the same ballpark as many HD radios and similar devices.
<Click here for the new VTech IS9181 Demo>
While I suppose we should be thankful there's an FM radio in this cool VTech Internet radio, it's another reminder about how cool gadgetry can change minds, and can also generate new purchases, even in a horrible economy. It should also tell us about the importance of aesthetics and radio's future.
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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