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New Apple Patent Has Consequences For Radio
January 22, 2014 at 4:34 AM (PT)
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APPLE has patented what they call "automatic station tuning" for broadcast and streaming audio, as well as video content. APPLE INSIDER reports the company, "was awarded a patent for a system that analyzes on-board, broadcast or streamed audio and visual media content to create a custom tailored playlist that can switch between sources to deliver an optimal user experience."
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted APPLE U.S. Patent #8,634,944 "for 'Auto-station tuning,' which can be summarized as an automatic media playlist generator that is able to switch between a variety of sources based on user preferences," notes APPLE INSIDER.
The new technology is a double-edged sword for radio, as it may get terrestrial broadcasts on the iPHONE -- but the cost could be that the user would have the technology to skip commercials. The patent explains that users could program their device to switch stations based on their preferences -- including interruption in music programming.

