iTunes HD

Clear Channel Radio says it is now offering more than 340 of its primary HD stations with the iTunes "tagging" function, capable of transferring a song heard on the radio to an Apple iPod (after purchase). "Radio continues to be the number one way that people discover new music, and the HD Radio iTunes tagging capability lets listeners add songs to their iPod playlists with just a push of the button," said John Hogan, president and CEO of Clear Channel Radio. "With the vast majority of our HD primary stations now offering this exciting feature, we're demonstrating how radio's collaboration with the iPod benefits consumers."

Clear Channel Radio originally announced last September its intentions to offer broadcasts compatible with Apple's implementation of the HD Radio tagging feature. Currently, the company offers over 440 HD stations and more than 340 HD2 stations.

Device manufacturers have recently begun offering a slew of HD Radio-compatible iPod speaker docks. JBL's On Time 400IHD system, for instance, allows users to listen to static-free reception on HD Radio stations with no subscription fee. The device tunes in to FM stations with CD-quality sound, and stores 'live' song information from select HD Radio stations with the push of a 'Tag' button.

Sony also introduced two new HD Radio clock systems, the XDR-F1HD and S10HDiP. Beyond charging and playing iPods, the latter radio supports iTunes Tagging, which copies track information from HD Radio to an iPod, and then later identifies the tracks so they can be bought through the iTunes Store.

by MacNN Staff