HD Car Radios Go Dutch…

Thursday, August, 14, 2008 by Mel Phillips.

It may be too little, too late but iBiquity Digital Corporation and the Netherlands-based NXP Semiconductors have formed an alliance  to manufacture dedicated single chip software for in-car HD radios.  NXP is the semiconductor company founded by Philips and iBiquity is a company that knows about HD radio, claiming some 1,758 radio stations currently on the air.  These companies know what they’re doing but is it already too late to make a dent in in-car radio listening???

The single chip software supports HD radio technology and can incorporate HD with analog signals.  It can also support iTunes Tagging.  Jeff Jury, COO of iBiquity was last seen doing cartwheels while saying “we’re excited to work with NXP in creating the next generation of HD Radio technology.  Together we are taking multi-standard radio to a whole new level.”  …

Missing in all this excitement is a timetable for manufacture and delivery of these new single chip HD radios.  This is more likely to be the next phase of HD rather than be competitive with current technology…

10 Timeline Memories: 

1. 1935] FDR signs SSA: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act  into law creating unemployment insurance and pension plans for those over 65…
2. 1953] Whiffed: The whiffle ball  is invented providing lots of future major league players with their first taste of hitting a pitched ball…
3. 1973] No more bombs: Bombing in Cambodia comes to an end…
4. 1980] Vote for me: The Democrats choose Jimmy Carter  to run for president at Madison Square Garden…1996] The Republicans opt for Bob Dole  as their presidential candidate…
5. 1980] On strike: Workers go on strike at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk, Poland in a job action that results in the creation of Lech Walesa and the Solidarity labor movement…
6. 1985] Breaking the Beatles bank: Michael Jackson outbids Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono for the ATV Music Publishing  catalog containing the rights to more than 250 songs written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Total price for the catalog: $47.5 million. Paul will regret this day as long as he lives or until he gets the catalog back…
7. 1992] “Happy Trails“: The Platters’ lead singer Tony Williams  dies at 64 from diabetes and emphysema…
8. 1994] Jackal roped: International terrorist ‘Carlos the Jackal’  is captured in Sudan. He’s extradited to France the next day…
9. 1997] Guilty as charged: Timothy McVeigh is sentenced to death for the Oklahoma City bombing…
10. 2003] Lights out: A massive blackout  hits the northeast and parts of Canada with 50 million losing power. Guess who was unaffected on the Cape???

Music Memories:

• 1965] Released on this date: “Hang On Sloopy” - McCoys (with Rick Derringer singing lead)…1971] “Reason To Believe/Maggie May” - Rod Stewart (the ‘A’ side was “Reason” until everyone started flipping the record)…1976] “Rock ‘N Me“ - Steve Miller Band…

Commentary:

It sure is long overdue but welcome news anyway that New York City will have a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame presence here.  Mayor Mike made the announcement yesterday that the HOF annex will be located in SoHo and will include the likes of Bruce Springsteen’s 1957 Chevy, John Lennon’s Record Plant piano and exhibits like a theater, rotating gallery and interactive map titled “New York Rocks” featuring historical music sites throughout the city.  Cleveland may have been the the first major market that Alan Freed worked behind the mic in but the late DJ became known as “The King of Rock ‘n Roll” in New York City for his work mainly on 1010 WINS…

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday“:

Patriot’s linebacker Mike Vrabel (33), Halle Berry (42), Magic Johnson (49), ‘Far Side’ cartoonist Gary Larson (58), Danielle Steel (61), Susan St. James (62), Steve Martin (63), David Crosby (67), Dash Crofts (67), Earl Weaver (78) and Buddy Greco (82)…

Timeline Countdown: 18 days until Labor Day and 21 days until the NFL opener (Washington @ NYG)…

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