HD Radio, gli apparecchi scendono sotto i 100 dollari

I prezzi degli apparecchi HD Radio sono in picchiata. iLuv ha appena annunciato una radiosveglia Ibiquity per 129.99 dollari, in offerta in molti negozi a meno di cento dollari. Secondo me può essere un fattore non trascurabile. L'elettronica di consumo è una strana bestia, oltre a una certa soglia di acquirenti scattano meccanismi di reazione a catena del tutto non lineari. La cosa vale soprattutto se un prodotto o un servizio sono convincenti. Diciamo la verità, in FM HD Radio ha molti vantaggi, anche se la ricezione non è poi così agevole come vogliono far credere.
Ma anche se una parte della popolazione americana fa più fatica ad agganciare un segnale digitale, il pubblico potenziale è sicuramente superiore al numero di persone che fino a questo momento hanno acquistato un apparecchio compatibile. I margini di crescita ci sono ancora e non è possibile escludere che a un certo punto le curve diventeranno molto ripide. E se negli USA IBOC dovesse avere successo, perché non dovrebbe crescere la voglia di sperimentarlo in Europa, nelle nazioni dotate di spettro RF compatibile.
Intanto ecco un articolo che illustra le novità del mercato.

HD Radio Receivers Bust the $100 Barrier Creating Even More Value for Consumers

Affordable Home, Office and Automotive Units Now Available from Coby, iLuv, JVC, Pioneer, Radiosophy and Sony

July 9, 2008

COLUMBIA, Md., July 9, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- iBiquity Digital Corporation, the developer of digital HD Radio(TM) technology for AM and FM broadcasting, today announced that the all-important $100 price point for HD Radio receivers has been smashed. The new under $100 HD Radio devices from Coby, iLuv, JVC, Pioneer, Radiosophy and Sony will see home, office and automotive uses. The latest prices represent a 30 percent reduction compared to a year ago. In that same time frame, HD Radio receivers have added a spate of new and exclusive features, including iTunes(R) Tagging, providing consumers with a unique radio experience.
"This price point brings the superior performance of HD Radio receivers with attractive functionality to a much broader audience," said Bob Struble, President and CEO of iBiquity Digital. "Having world-class device manufacturers throw their support behind HD Radio broadcasting, and bring devices of this outstanding quality to the retail market at such an affordable price is yet another signal of the mainstream interest in the technology."
Just as impressive, many of the same top manufacturers are offering home, office and automotive units for under $200. Coby, Dual, iLuv, Insignia, Jensen and Sony have new receivers between the compelling prices of $119 and $179.95, some of which include iTunes Tagging, iPod docks and iPhone compatibility. With the marriage of a reasonable price tag and a multitude of functions/services, the value proposition for consumers just keeps getting better!
Developed by iBiquity and supported by the leaders of the broadcasting, consumer electronics, retail and automotive industries, HD Radio technology is a significant advance in radio broadcasting. HD Radio broadcasts are available to 83 percent of Americans and more than 1,700 HD Radio stations are already on the air with over 800 new FM multicast channels (HD2/HD3) that are exclusive to HD Radio listeners -- all subscription free.
Beyond additional free channels, high-quality sound, and premium location-based services, iBiquity, Apple(R) iTunes(R) and radio broadcasting groups have joined forces to create the newest mass-consumer service enabled by and exclusive to HD Radio technology called "iTunes Tagging." iTunes Tagging allows consumers to "Tag" songs heard on the radio with the touch of a button. The song information is transferred and stored in an iPod when cradled to an HD Radio receiver. The next time the iPod is synced to iTunes, the tagged songs will appear as a list, which can be previewed, purchased and downloaded. Hear it. Tag it. Download it. Never forget it!
The abovementioned component tuners, along with other HD Radio receivers for the home, office, and car, are conveniently listed in a buyer's guide . The selection for HD Radio units has been growing at a rapid pace, with more than 60 unique models now available from manufacturers that include Polk Audio, Dual, JBL, Alpine, Kenwood, Jensen, JVC, and many more. Program selection has also been increasing at a steady rate, with multicast formats that can only be heard with an HD Radio device, spanning formats from "Local Rock" to "Chick Rock," and from "Pre-Beatles Oldies" to "Punk Young Alternative."