Visual radio

Visual radio is a generic term for adding visuals to normal audio radio broadcasts. Visual Radio is also a trademark for a Nokia solution for interactive radio with FM radio over a data connection.

Visual Radio

Visual Radio is a technology developed by Nokia to make it easier for audiences to interact with radio programs. Visual Radio is built-in functionality available in an increasing number of phones that are already equipped with analog FM radio.

Workings

Nokia's Visual Radio is not radio streaming – the audio is received via a regular analog FM radio embedded in the phone. A presentation of graphics and text, synchronized to the audio programming, is being streamed to the phone over a data connection; the FM transmission chain is unaffected by the addition of Visual Radio.

Limitations

On phones with built-in Wi-Fi (tested on Nokia E51, E63, E66, E71, and N95 8GB), the Nokia application does not allow a Wi-Fi access point to be used for the data connection, only GPRS access points are allowed, allowing the possibility of revenue sharing between Nokia, the Radio stations and GPRS network operators.