Apple planning HD Radio boom for January?

Efforts by Apple will have a slew of iPod speaker docks with HD Radio debuting at next month's Macworld show, according to one report. The device maker is allegedly very supportive of the iTunes Tagging feature that launched along with the Polk iSonic ES2 in the fall and wants to see it widespread in the accessory market, with many AM/FM radio docks gaining both HD Radio support and the ability to embed tags in the digital stream. The reason behind the maneuver is not explicitly mentioned but is likely an effort to drive iTunes sales through the accessory business, encouraging listeners to tag songs heard on the radio for a future download once an iPod in a radio dock syncs back with its host computer.

Which firms will produce the HD Radio speakers is unknown, though HD Radio inventor iBiquity Digital has made available a generic development kit both to its own partners and anyone involved in Apple's Made for iPod program. Companies such as Creative-owned Cambridge Soundworks, Griffin, and Sony have already committed to iPod audio systems with the enhanced digital radio as a staple feature, though none have yet to say they will adopt iTunes Tagging in their devices.

Filed under: iPod, gadgets, audio, Apple
Other story tags: sony, HD Radio, Griffin, iBiquity, Cambridge, Polk