The iPod technology that will transform road trips

13 April 2012

MP3 players, such as the iPod, are to be turned into mini radio stations with the legalisation of plug-in transmitters by broadcasting watchdogs.

The devices, such as the iTrip, can transmit songs stored on an MP3 player over the FM airwaves to any nearby radio in the car or home. The technology will transform long holiday drives down through France or Florida, where families are currently restricted to local radio output.

For the mini-transmitters effectively allow users to turn their MP3 players into personal radio stations.

People will be able to use radios in cars, hotels or apartments to pick-up their own choice of music and also downloads from the web, such as podcasts from Ricky Gervais or Manchester United.

Users could also listen audio books or downloads of the many BBC radio programmes which are now made available over the web.

These include football phone-ins and film reviews from Radio Five Live, interviews from the Radio 4 Today programme, and Radio 2 shows from Terry Wogan and Steve Wright.

Currently, it is illegal in the UK to broadcast FM signals without a licence.

There are concerns the broadcasts could interfere with existsing commercial and BBC radio stations.

However, the regulator Ofcom announced plans to sweep away the controls by early December.

Ofcom said: "Low power FM radio transmitters such as the 'iTrip' are currently illegal to use in the UK and continental Europe because of the potential to cause interference to broadcast services." "However, Ofcom is responding to consumer demand for the use of these devices and has led negotiations in Europe to develop a harmonised approach which will minimise the risk of interference."

A number of high street and internet retailers, such as PC World, are already selling the devices.

Commercial director at PC World, Bryan Magrath, said: "We're giving our customers a head start on using this exciting and convenient technology on holiday abroad."

"We are advised that there are no health and safety risks associated with the operation of short range FM transmitters."

The company will stock the Belkin Tunecast II, which costs £29.99 is compatible with all iPods and MP3 players.

It also stocks the Griffin iTrip with dock connector for the iPod at £35.

Currently, the transmitters are legal in the USA, Germany, Poland, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Switzerland and Estonia.

It is believed they will be approved in many more countries by the end of the year.

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