Why the hype of FM tuners on devices?

[Reggie]

Ok, I've been reading through Clinton Fitch's coverage of the annual invitaion-only Microsoft Mobius conference and he mentions the following:

"Next up was Brian Holt who discuss devices other than Windows Mobile. I know, sounds strange but it was actually very insightful. Brian discussed several of the key competitors to Windows Mobile such as RIM and Nokia. Brian showed us the new RIM Blackberry that sports a color display and a 300MHz processor. The device looked great but the traditional Blackberry users isn't going to be thrilled about the severely diminished battery life. He also made an interesting comment about Nokia: They will have no less than 14 devices in 2006 that come with built in FM tuners. Clearly Nokia feels this is a big part of the market now and it will be interesting to see if Windows Mobile devices follow suit."

Nokia releasing not less than 14 devices with FM tuners? What is it with FM tuners?

Read Day 2: http://www.clintonfitch.com/mobius/

[Jeffgrado]

I don't think I have ever seen anyone use a portable FM tuner. Maybe only on joggers, but now I see mostly flash based mp3 players. You have to think about how many clocks are used as radios, and how many radios are used as clocks. Does anyone really use their clock radio for listening to a radio station througout the day?

[Hedgecore]

I don't listen to music you'd find on the radio... but my mp3 player has an FM tuner. I listened to Noam Chomsky being re-aired at a local university radio station once but that was it.

They're so easy to implement and take up such a small amount of space I guess manufacturers figure it's an easy low cost extra that might sway a few people.