And put the safety of the American people first.’” Tom Taylor reported (in his daily industry newsletter Tom Taylor Now) FCC chairman Ajit Pai’s comments mid-week “’I have repeatedly called on the wireless industry to activate FM chips…and I’ve specifically pointed out the public safety benefits.’ He says ‘in my first public speech after I became Chairman, I observed that ‘you could make a case for activating chips on public safety grounds alone.’ Pai says ‘I applaud those companies that have done the right thing…Apple is the one major phone manufacturer that has resisted.’ He says ‘It is time for Apple to step up to the plate. The confusion regarding what appeared originally to be Tesla’s complete deletion of radio reception raised the specter of cars without radios. This directly parallels the ongoing battle between Apple and the broadcast industry. The NAB and FCC continue to “ask” Apple to turn on the FM chips in its phones – something most carriers offering Android phones have already done. if the cost of wireless was not an issue. Streaming limitations: It appears from the customer demo (above) that not all local broadcasts are available via Internet streaming – meaning streaming is not a substitute for free over-the-air broadcasts – i.e.Consumer outrage: There appears to be no avenue for consumers to complain or advocate on behalf of access to broadcast radio in the car. Radio advocacy: The lack of radio industry advocacy on behalf of preserving radio’s position in cars for a wide range of purposes from delivering emergency messages to offering non-distracting entertainment, news and weather information. There is arguably a public interest in ensuring that every car is equipped with radio reception – at least FM – yet there is no requirement. That may be a good thing…or not.Musk’s way: Tesla’s unilateral decision to delete AM radio from the Model 3 reflects the company’s my-way-or-the-highway approach to product decisions. This approach is reflected in everything from Tesla’s adding, removing then restoring automated driving, to the different kinds of streaming or broadcast content in its cars and the lack of smartphone integration – sorry, no Pandora or Spotify. Tesla CEO Musk giveth and Musk taketh away – with software updates or with expensive out-of-reach technology that can be turned on (or off) remotely for a price.The deletion of AM radio in the Tesla Model 3 highlights the crisis confronting the radio broadcast industry. It also casts a spotlight on Tesla’s unique relationship with its customers. In summary: The software and user interface required to deliver the solution is intended to arrive via over-the-air software update - timing unclear.) (Clarification: Indications are that the hardware necessary to support FM reception in Tesla Model 3's is in place. Thankfully, Fred gave a heads up to the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), which reached out to Tesla thereby discovering that broadcast FM radio was available in the Model 3, though AM had been deleted. This is reminiscent of BMW’s similar decision, two years ago, to delete AM reception from its i3 and i8 electric vehicles due to signal interference. “Tesla Model 3 Currently Leaves Drivers without FM Radio, Bluetooth or USB Audio” – “Here’s Our Closest Look at the Model 3 Touchscreen Yet” – This past week followers of Tesla Motors were asking the same question, with equally larcenous implications, as an online video published by The Verge purporting to show a Tesla Model 3 customer orientation appeared to demonstrate that Tesla had left AM/FM radio out of its new cars. Consternation regarding this video was expressed and shared by Fred Jacobs, co-founder of Jacobs Media and a radio industry maven, and seemed to be confirmed by a report in The Drive. There is a soccer chant crafted by Manchester City fans in the United Kingdom seeking to cast shade on fans of Liverpool FC by suggesting that the latter are inclined to criminal behavior. The chant intones “Where’s my car stereo?” to the tune of “La Donna e Mobile.”
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