Visual radio is a generic term for adding visuals to normal audio radio broadcasts. Visual Radio is also a trademark

Trademark

A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...

 for a Nokia

Nokia

Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...

 solution for interactive radio with FM radio over a data connection.

Nokia Visual Radio

Visual Radio is a technology developed by Nokia

Nokia

Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...

 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

Nokia E51

Nokia E51 is a Symbian OS smartphone by Nokia. It's the second Nokia UMTS / HSDPA dual band mobile. The phone is available with a black, silver or bronze-coloured border and backplate.A version without the integrated camera also exists.-Specifications Sheet:...

, E63

Nokia E63

Released late in 2008, the Nokia E63 is marketed as a budget business phone. It is based on Symbian's S60 platform. Although it looks very similar to E71, its body is made of plastic and not aluminium as in E71. Also its keypad is made from a different material and is laid out slightly different...

, E66

Nokia E66

The Nokia E66 is a slider smartphone in the Nokia Eseries range, a S60 platform third edition device with slide action targeting business users. It is a successor to the Nokia E65 with which it shares many features....

, E71

Nokia E71

The Nokia E71 is a smartphone from the Eseries range with a QWERTY keyboard targeting business users worldwide. It runs on Symbian OS v9.2, with a Series 60 3rd Edition, second generation Feature Pack 1. The Nokia E71 succeeded the Nokia E61/61i models, building on the base design and form factor...

 and N95 8GB)

Nokia N95

The Nokia N95 is a smartphone produced by Nokia as part of their Nseries line of portable devices. It was released in 2007. The N95 runs Symbian OS v9.2, with a S60 3rd Edition user interface. The phone has a two-way sliding mechanism, which can be used to access either media playback buttons or...

, the Nokia application does not allow a Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...

 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.

Platform components

The platform is composed of three parts:

• A Visual Radio Tool that can be integrated with the radio station's own legacy playout system, so the interactive visual channel created by the radio station's content producers is synchronized with the audio programming.
• A Visual Radio server that handles the two-way traffic between audience and radio stations;
• A Visual Radio client application on the mobile phone, that displays the interactive visual channel and takes care of user interaction.

The Visual Radio concept was created by Nokia and the platform was originally offered to radio stations and operators globally by HP. However, since October 2007, Nokia has been collaborating instead with RCS Inc., of New York, whose Selector music scheduling system is used by thousands of radio stations around the world. RCS

RCS

RCS may refer to:Clubs and societies*Racing Club de Strasbourg*Radcliffe Choral Society*Royal College of Science*Royal College of Surgeons*Royal Commonwealth SocietyTechnology*Radar cross-section*Radio Computing Services*Reaction control system...

 produces the second-generation version of the Visual Radio platform and also markets a similar product for Internet (and most other digital platforms) under the RCS RadioShow brand.

The interactive visual channel is produced by the radio station. Interactivity options include quizzes, messaging, content download, commerce, etc.

Stations

Kiss FM (Finland) (now defunct) was the first radio station that started using Visual Radio. Other stations supporting Visual Radio include the UK's GWR Bristol, GWR Bath, Virgin Radio

Virgin Radio

Absolute Radio is one of the UK's three Independent National Radio stations. The station rebranded to its current name at 7.45am on 29 September 2008.The station is based in London and plays popular rock music...

, The Voice in Helsinki, Mediacorp

MediaCorp

Media Corporation of Singapore, better known as MediaCorp, is a group of commercial media companies in Singapore, with business interests in television and radio broadcasting, interactive media, and, to a lesser extent, print publishing and film-making....

 stations in Singapore, Radio Mirchi

Radio Mirchi

Radio Mirchi is a nationwide network of private FM radio stations in India. It is owned by the Entertainment Network India Ltd , which is one of the subsidiaries of The Times Group....

 station in New Delhi India , and Los 40 Principales

Los 40 Principales

Los 40 Principales is the main musical radio station in Spain with more than 4,000,000 listeners. The station was founded in 1966 and in 2006 the station celebrated its 40th anniversary...

 in Spain. RAI

RAI

RAI — Radiotelevisione italiana S.p.A. known until 1954 as Radio Audizioni Italiane, is the Italian state owned public service broadcaster controlled by the Ministry of Economic Development. Rai is the biggest television company in Italy...

 has done test transmissions with Visual radio in some selected areas.

Devices supported

Nokia is making the Visual Radio client available to users of other phones, and have announced that they are producing a Java applet to enable this.

Nokia 3110 classic

Nokia 3110 classic

The Nokia 3110 classic is a mobile phone handset, manufactured by Nokia in Hungary and released for sale in 2007. Although the phone bears the same model number as the 1997 Nokia 3110, it was not directly derived from this model.The Nokia 3110 classic is a "candybar" cameraphone which uses the...

, Nokia 3120 classic

Nokia 3120 classic

The Nokia 3120 classic is a quad-band 3G mobile phone from Nokia. It was announced in 2008.Nokia 3120 classic features a QVGA display, a 2 megapixel camera with flash, a video conference camera, a music player with support for most common music formats , support for microSD memory cards up to 8...

, Nokia 3230

Nokia 3230

The Nokia 3230 is a Symbian Series 60 smartphone announced on November 2, 2004. It was billed as the first Series 60 phone aimed at the mass-market rather than the higher-end Series 60 devices....

, Nokia 3250

Nokia 3250

The Nokia 3250 is a cellular phone which features a unique 'twist' design that transforms the traditional phone keypad into a camera and dedicated music control keys . It can store up to 2 gigabytes of music and other data thanks to a microSD memory card slot, and features a two-megapixel camera...

, Nokia 5200

Nokia 5200

The Nokia 5200 is a Nokia Series 40 mobile phone manufactured by Nokia. It's less featured than its counter-part, the Nokia 5300.-5200/5300 Differences:...

, Nokia 5300

Nokia 5300

Nokia 5300 XpressMusic is a Nokia Series 40 3rd Edition FP2 mobile phone by Nokia. It was launched in the third quarter of 2006. Nokia 5300 is the most popular and many units sold in all XpressMusic phones, and among one of the most favorite Nokia unit phones....

, Nokia 5310 XpressMusic

Nokia 5310

The Nokia 5310 is an XpressMusic mobile phone, released in the fourth quarter of 2007. It is less than a centimeter thick and is available with blue, red, purple, pink, orange, silver or black trim, the main body also being available in grey, black or white. It is currently available in the U.S...

, Nokia 5320 XpressMusic, Nokia 5500 Sport, Nokia 5610 XpressMusic, Nokia 5700

Nokia 5700

Nokia 5700 XpressMusic is a music series mobile phone by Nokia. It is a Symbian S60 3rd Edition FP1 smartphone that was sold under the XpressMusic sub-brand, which emphasises music and multimedia playback. The Nokia 5700 XpressMusic is a monoblock twistable phone which weighs 115 g. It has a casing...

, Nokia 6085, Nokia 6086, Nokia 6110

Nokia 6110

The Nokia 6110 was a mobile phone made by Nokia from 1997 to 2001 for the GSM network. It is not to be confused with the Nokia 6110 Navigator....

, Nokia 6111

Nokia 6111

The Nokia 6111 is a mid-level GSM mobile phone released in late 2005. It sold in Asia, Europe, Australia, Brazil and in Mexico, but was not taken by any carriers in the United States....

, Nokia 6120 Classic

Nokia 6120 classic

The Nokia 6120 classic is a Nokia-produced Symbian OS smartphone . It is the first Nokia UMTS / HSDPA dual band mobile which also features quad band GSM.-Interface Changes:...

, Nokia 6121 Classic, Nokia 6125, Nokia 6131

Nokia 6131

The Nokia 6131/Nokia 6133 is a Nokia clamshell phone released in February 2006.The model is part of the Base Band 5 series phones, which are more difficult to unlock compared to previous Nokia phones.-Features:...

, Nokia 6136

Nokia 6136

Nokia 6136 is a mobile telephone handset produced by Nokia. It features Generic Access Network , a technology formerly known as Unlicensed Mobile Access .-Technical specifications:*Quad band GSM / GPRS / EDGE: GSM 850/900/1800/1900...

, Nokia 6151, Nokia 6210 Navigator

Nokia 6210 Navigator

The Nokia 6210 Navigator is a mobile phone made by Nokia that is a successor to Nokia 6110 Navigator. It has been available since July 2008.The Nokia 6210 Navigator is the third GPS Phone in the Navigator series to be released by Nokia...

, Nokia 6220 Classic

Nokia 6220 Classic

Nokia 6220 classic is a Nokia-produced Symbian OS smartphone .-Features:* HSDPA-3.6M/384k / WCDMA-900/2100 / DTM EGPRS-850/900/1800/1900 Class 11A/32B* GPS navigation with Assisted GPS...

, Nokia 6230i, Nokia 6233

Nokia 6233

The Nokia 6233 phone made by Nokia is the successor to the Nokia 6230i. It is a 3G/GSM/WCDMA mobile phone that runs the Series 40 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 1 UI on the Nokia operating system.-Features:...

, Nokia 6233

Nokia 6233

The Nokia 6233 phone made by Nokia is the successor to the Nokia 6230i. It is a 3G/GSM/WCDMA mobile phone that runs the Series 40 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 1 UI on the Nokia operating system.-Features:...

, Nokia 6267, Nokia 6270

Nokia 6270

The Nokia 6270 is a late 2005 quad band mobile phone from Nokia. It is based on the Series 40 third generation platform, and features a 2 megapixel digital camera with 5x digital zoom and a flash, 7 MiB of storage plus the support for up to a two gibibyte miniSD Card, and a 240x320 QVGA screen with...

, Nokia 6280, Nokia 6288, Nokia 6290

Nokia 6290

The Nokia 6290 is a multimedia 3G Smartphone made by Nokia and released in March 2007.- Features :The Nokia 6290 is the first device running off S60 3rd edition platform updated to Feature Pack 1...

, Nokia 6300

Nokia 6300

The Nokia 6300 is a mobile telephone handset produced by Nokia.The Nokia 6300 was assembled in several factories, but is currently assembled in Cluj Plant, Romania, and has been on sale since January 2007....

, Nokia 6301

Nokia 6301

The Nokia 6301, approved by the FCC for the US market in January 2008, is a triband GSM unit. The North American model 6301b is equipped with 850/1800/1900 MHz bands. The European model 6301 is equipped with 900/1800/1900 MHz bands.The 6301 is SMS, MMS 1.2 and instant message capable...

, Nokia 6500 Slide

Nokia 6500 slide

The Nokia 6500 slide is a mobile phone by Nokia. The phone runs the Series 40 platform. The case is made of brushed stainless steel.It is the Slide version of Nokia 6500 classic.-Features:*Communications...

, Nokia 7370

Nokia 7370

- Specification sheet :...

, Nokia 7373, Nokia 7500 Prism, Nokia 7710

Nokia 7710

The Nokia 7710 is a discontinued mobile phone model produced by Nokia.The 7710 is based on the Nokia 7700 which was never released. It is Nokia's first, and so far only smartphone to run the Series 90 GUI atop the Symbian OS...

, Nokia E51

Nokia E51

Nokia E51 is a Symbian OS smartphone by Nokia. It's the second Nokia UMTS / HSDPA dual band mobile. The phone is available with a black, silver or bronze-coloured border and backplate.A version without the integrated camera also exists.-Specifications Sheet:...

, Nokia E63

Nokia E63

Released late in 2008, the Nokia E63 is marketed as a budget business phone. It is based on Symbian's S60 platform. Although it looks very similar to E71, its body is made of plastic and not aluminium as in E71. Also its keypad is made from a different material and is laid out slightly different...

, Nokia E71

Nokia E71

The Nokia E71 is a smartphone from the Eseries range with a QWERTY keyboard targeting business users worldwide. It runs on Symbian OS v9.2, with a Series 60 3rd Edition, second generation Feature Pack 1. The Nokia E71 succeeded the Nokia E61/61i models, building on the base design and form factor...

, Nokia N70

Nokia N70

The Nokia N70 is a multimedia 3G smartphone made by Nokia and launched in Q3 2005. This phone is one of the first phones released for Nokia's line of Multimedia computers, the Nokia Nseries. Nokia N70 is released alongside with Nokia N90 and Nokia N91....

, Nokia N71

Nokia N71

The Nokia N71 is a multimedia 3G clamshell smartphone by Nokia with a 2 megapixel camera, a built-in flash, a front camera to allow real-time video calling, FM radio, Bluetooth, digital music player functionality, comes standard with a full , and has support for 3D Java games.Other features...

, Nokia N72

Nokia N72

The Nokia N72 is one of Nokia's high-end Nseries mobile phones, it is effectively a re-branded Nokia N70 with a reduced feature set. It was launched in May 2006.-Features:...

, Nokia N73

Nokia N73

The Nokia N73 is a smartphone by Nokia officially described as a "multimedia computer". In common with other Nokia 'Nseries' and 'Eseries' phones of its time , the N73 comes loaded with many software applications, including contacts, messaging, picture and video galleries, a music player, a Visual...

, Nokia N76

Nokia N76

The Nokia N76 is a multimedia 3G Smartphone made by Nokia. It was introduced at the Las Vegas CES 2007 in January 2007 and was launched on 5 May 2007 with a sales price of 390 EUR. It is advertised as "The computer done beautifully" and as a "multimedia computer"...

, Nokia N77, Nokia N78

Nokia N78

The Nokia N78 is a multimedia 3G Smartphone made by Nokia, designed by Joeske Schellen. It was first introduced at the Mobile World Congress in February 2008, and was launched on 26 May 2008 for €350 before taxes and subsidies...

, Nokia N79

Nokia N79

Nokia N79 is a smartphone and a member of the Nokia Nseries multimedia smartphone family. It was officially announced by Nokia on 26 August 2008...

, Nokia N80

Nokia N80

The Nokia N80 is a multimedia 3G smartphone made by Nokia with support for high-speed UMTS/WCDMA connections. Features include a 3.1 megapixel camera with built-in flash , another camera for videoconferencing, Wi-Fi , Universal Plug and Play , FM radio, Bluetooth 1.2, digital music player...

, Nokia N81

Nokia N81

The Nokia N81 is a smartphone announced by Nokia on August 29 2007. The phone is compatible with the N-Gage 2.0 mobile gaming service.- Problems :The Nokia N81 suffered from lower sound output due to the release of the new firmware version...

, Nokia N82

Nokia N82

The Nokia N82 is a smartphone produced by Nokia. It is part of the company's Nseries line of smartphones which features the N-Gage gaming platform and the Nokia Music store...

, Nokia N91

Nokia N91

The Nokia N91 is a mobile phone that was released to the public in April of 2006. It is part of the Nokia Nseries range of mobile phones. At the time of release, it was the most advanced music phone ever launched by nokia. N91 also won the 'Most Innovative Product' award in recognition of its true...

, Nokia N92

Nokia N92

The Nokia N92 mobile phone is one of the Nseries mobile phones from Nokia. It is Nokia's first ever dedicated mobile television device.- Specification :*Manufacturer: Nokia*Type: Smartphone...

, Nokia N93

Nokia N93

The Nokia N93 is a smartphone by Nokia especially designed for multimedia use. It was introduced in April 2006 and released in July 2006.The N93 has improved camera capabilities compared with the earlier N90. The phone has a 3.2 megapixel camera, Carl Zeiss optics and 3x optical zoom as well as a...

, Nokia N93i

Nokia N93i

The Nokia N93i is a smartphone produced by Nokia. It is part of the Nokia Nseries line of high-end smartphones and is a redesign of the Nokia N93. The N93i runs on Symbian OS version 9.1, with the Series 60 3rd Edition user interface. The phone is a clamshell design with a camera and landscape...

, Nokia N95

Nokia N95

The Nokia N95 is a smartphone produced by Nokia as part of their Nseries line of portable devices. It was released in 2007. The N95 runs Symbian OS v9.2, with a S60 3rd Edition user interface. The phone has a two-way sliding mechanism, which can be used to access either media playback buttons or...

, Nokia N96

Nokia N96

Nokia N96 is a Nokia smartphone in the Nseries range of products. It is the official successor to Nokia N95.The handset was publicly announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, February 2008, and started shipping in September 2008. Europe, Middle East and Asia-Pacific are the first locations...

, Nokia N97

Nokia N97

Nokia N97 is a touch screen mobile phone in the Nseries of smartphones by Nokia, with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard...

.

Spodtronic

In November 2005, Spodtronic started producing a visual radio service in Germany.

Their version of visual radio uses radio streaming over UMTS, with associated graphics and text sent down the same UMTS connection. A client is available for a user to download and install into their Nokia (series 60) mobile phone.

This product requires no extra infrastructure at the radio station, since it works by using the metatags already present in the internet stream.

DAB Digital Radio

Visual radio applications are also possible over DAB Digital Radio. Using a technique called MOT Slideshow, visuals can be broadcast within the same data spectrum as the audio. Slideshow-enabled stations are already operating in some parts of the world, including Singapore, where they market this as visual radio.

RadioVIS

RadioVIS

RadioVIS

RadioVIS is a protocol for sideband signalling of images and text messages for a broadcast audio service to provide a richer visual experience....

 utilises the RadioDNS

RadioDNS

RadioDNS is a methodology for an hybrid radio receiver, meaning receiving the broadcast radio signal and connected to the Internet, to find the internet address of the interactive service corresponding to the radio station actually tuned...

framework which provides a method to translate the broadcast parameters to an IP-based resource. The visuals which accompany the radio service are delivered independently over IP.

External links

• Nokia Visual Radio
• RCS Inc.
• spodtronic