NAB President and CEO David K. Rehr has written a letter to Apple COO Timothy Cook, encouraging the electronics manufacturer to begin including FM radios in iPhones and iPods. Rehr stressed the fact that radio is still the number one method by which consumers discover new music, and he described the many benefits FM radio reception would provide to Apple, including additional revenue through the technology of song-tagging.

"NAB would like to encourage Apple, as a recognized leader in both the mobile phone and portable music player arenas, to include FM radio as a feature in future iPhone and iPod products," wrote Rehr. "Providing FM broadcast reception capability in mobile phones and portable music players creates multiple benefits for consumers as well as for the broadcasting, music and personal device manufacturing industries."

Rehr added, "I am taking the liberty to share my letter to you with the 9,346 FM radio stations across America. I am certain they will eagerly support positive indications from Apple on the inclusion of built-in FM radio in future Apple products."

Meanwhile, the Motorola ROKR EM35, the first mobile phone with an integrated FM antenna in the U.S., will be featured during the 2009 NAB Show next week. A 2008 NAB FASTROAD report outlined the potential benefits that could result from an increase of FM radio receivers in mobile phones, and the study concluded that mobile phone service providers, radio broadcasters and handset manufacturers all stand to benefit from the expansion of FM-capable cell phones.