Galaxy S4 doesn't come with FM radio

Samsung explains why Galaxy S4 doesn't come with FM radio

 April 19, 2013

Samsung Galaxy S4 was unveiled by the company on 14 March. While the phone boasts high-end specs like a 5-inch full-HD screen with 441 pixels per inch, a 1.6GHz Exynos octa-core processor in some regions and a 1.9GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor in others, and 2GB of RAM, it received criticism in some quarters for missing out on a rather basic feature: FM radio.

The omission of FM was indeed a strange one from Samsung. While Apple has never shipped an iPhone with built-in FM radio - despite receiving its share of criticism - Samsung's first three flagship devices, and indeed, most other phones, come with FM radio. In that sense, Samsung customers are used to enjoying the feature. There have been complaints since the omission was confirmed after Galaxy S4 was officially unveiled but Samsung was mum on the subject - until now.

Samsung's Facebook page in Russia has made the following announcement on the subject, which was picked up by GSM Arena via Hi-Tech.Mail.Ru.

Our studies show a trend shift of interest to digital broadcasting, specifically - focus on listening to music content in social networks or on the channel YouTube. The flagship model of our products are focused on customers who use digital content, which use modern formats and channels of information consumption. (translated from Russian).

While Samsung may be right in believing that flagship customers tend to be focused on digital content, the fact is, if you take something away from people after they become used to it (in other Galaxy flagships), they are far more likely to complain, than if they never enjoyed the feature in the first place.

Something tells us we haven't heard the last on the Samsung Galaxy S4 FM radio debate. What do you think us of Samsung's decision? Will your decision to buy the Galaxy S4 be impacted by it? Let us know via the comments.

Samsung Galaxy S4 key specifications

• 5-inch full-HD (1080x1920) Super AMOLED display (441 ppi)
• 1.9GHz quad-core processor/ 1.6GHz octa-core processor (Depending upon region)
• 2GB RAM
• 16/32/64 GB Storage (expandable by 64GB via microSD slot)
• 13-megapixel rear camera, 2-megapixel front camera
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, GPS/ GLONASS, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, IR LED, MHL 2.0
• Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
• 2,600 mAh battery
• 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9mm
• 130 grams

Android was originally designed for cameras

Android was originally designed for cameras, reveals Andy Rubin

Surbhi Chawla, April 17, 2013

It is hard to imagine the smartphone space without Android right now, but as per Android Inc. co-founder Andy Rubin, the operating system was originally built for cameras.

While speaking at Japan New Economic Summit in Tokyo, Rubin said "The exact same platform, the exact same operating system we built for cameras, that became Android for cellphones." According toPC World, Rubin even disclosed slides that he had used to pitch to investors way back in April 2004, when the now widely popular mobile OS was under development.

However, he states that the plan was dropped because they felt that there was not enough potential in the digital camera market. "We decided digital cameras wasn't actually a big enough market. I was worried about Microsoft and I was worried about Symbian, I wasn't worried about iPhone yet."

Furthermore, Rubin also explained their thinking behind keeping the operating system free of cost. He says, "We wanted as many cellphones to use Android as possible. So instead of charging $99, or $59, or $69, to Android, we gave it away for free, because we knew the industry was price sensitive."

Android was acquired by Google in 2005. It is now the world's leading mobile phone OS, with more than 750 million mobile devices featuring Android in use across the world. According to Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of Google, in the coming six to nine months there will be more than a billion smartphones using Android operating system. 

Just last month, Andy Rubin stepped down as the executive in charge of Google's Android operating system for smartphones and tablet computers, after being associated with the company for seven years. He has been replaced by Sundar Pichai, who is also in charge of the Google's Chrome Web browser and operating system for lightweight laptop computers.

Currently, Samsung and Nikon are offering smart cameras running on Android operating system in the form of Samsung Galaxy Camera and Nikon Coolpix S800C.