Visual Radio for the United States In the Works

HP and radio giant Infinity Broadcasting are working together to bring Nokia's Visual Radio technology to US listeners. The technology adds FM radio capability to mobile phones that have interactive content and services. The additional features include track information, artist, album artwork, concert dates, and links to purchase ring tones or full albums—all fully synchronized with radio broadcasts. Phones will receive the FM radio broadcast over traditional FM radio airwaves and the additional data through the cellular data network. The new service—which is currently available in Finland and undergoing testing in other places in Europe—is another attempt by traditional radio broadcasters to compete with new Internet-based offerings and satellite radio. Phones that support Visual Radio are expected to hit the US marketplace by mid-2006.