Visual Radio via your Mobile Phone

Nokia has once again proved to be ahead of the rest with the capability of “visual radio.” Select Nokia phones are integrated with the visual radio application as it is not a downloadable feature. However, according to the Visual Radio website, it is becoming more readily available in an increasing number of phones that are already equipped with analog FM radio (such as the Nokia 3230, Nokia 6230i, Nokia 7710, N70, N80 and N91).

But what exactly is visual radio and how does it work?

Let’s start with the technical specs. Nokia's Visual Radio is not streaming - the audio is received via a normal analog FM radio embedded in the phone. The graphics and text, synchronized to the audio programming, is sent through the phone through the data connection. According to Wikipedia, Visual Radio can be broken down into three parts:

1. A Visual Radio Tool that can be integrated with the radio station's own format, so the interactive visual channel created by the radio station's content producers is synchronized with the audio programming.
2. A Visual Radio server that handles the two-way traffic between audience and radio stations and;
3. A Visual Radio application on the mobile phone which actually displays the interactive components that provide for user interaction

Where the meat of the subject lies however is in how the listener/user will interact with the Visual Radio. Besides music/artist quizzes, station messaging, and content download, Visual Radio displays artist information, local tour dates, song lyrics, and artist websites. In addition, direct interaction with the radio station will be easily accessible. Users will be able to participate in audience poles, opinion sessions, and contests. This direct connection between radio station and listener is a smart move because the target market is so diverse that assuming what content the majority of people want to hear is no longer applicable (just ask the record companies…if they will admit to it that is).

Jump on board record companies!!! It is possible to monetize such a venture!!

Record companies could make money with this IF they can keep the user listening. The way mobile phone companies make money is by charging for interactive portions of the broadcast and keeping the FM transmission free. Users are charged by the amount of data transfer (i.e. the more time a user spends using the interactive features, the higher the charges on the consumer’s next phone bill).

A connection between consumer and company is greatly appreciated. Record companies can possibly score some exclusive deals with Visual Radio and therefore reaching people on the gadget they trust most. In turn, radio can possibly return as the dominant force it once was, making everyone happy and pocket books healthy.

Given a good quality phone and quality content (not a weekly rotation of the 10 most popular pop songs), users would probably show interest in mobile’s version of the radio.



Wikipedia-Visual Radio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_Radio

Visual Radio-See What You Hear
http://www.visualradio.com/vr/about.htm