14 DAY TRIAL // Griffin Technology, a company mostly known for its sleek protective case designs, is present at Macworld 2009 with some new announcements. One of those includes the Navigate inline controller and iFM app for iPhone and iPod touch.
The company reveals that, while Navigate delivers FM stereo radio plus remote control functionality, the iFM app acts as a sidekick to any FM radio station, to display song titles and other information about the current program.
Since the iFM app works as a touchscreen interface for Navigate’s FM radio tuner displaying detailed song information, Griffin’s duo provides an unparalleled FM radio experience. Nevertheless, the company claims that either of the two products works well as a standalone accessory, so you needn't buy the whole set.
“We are presenting broadcast radio to our users in an entirely new way,” Paul Griffin, founder of Griffin Technology, said. “Furthermore, by leveraging Mediaguide’s airplay metadata, people can easily attain info for all their favorite audio content.”
“We are pleased to provide Griffin Technology with real-time information within the iFM app,” Michael Morin, SVP Sales and Business Development for Mediaguide, Inc, added. “Users can now accurately see on their iPhone or iPod the content playing around the country on 2,550 stations in 150 U.S. markets.”
The iFM application (available from the iTunes App Store in March '09) identifies a listener’s geographic location to deliver a tuning menu with local radio stations, Griffin reveals. Alternately, the user may select their city from a list. Listeners can also bookmark songs for purchase on the iTunes Store. Navigate, for its part, will deliver Play, Stop, Pause, Forward, Backward, and Scan controls, as well as access to album and artist listings, playlists, shuffle modes, and even custom EQ settings.
Navigate can be acquired immediately from major retailers and Griffin's website for $59.99. Check back in on the App Store in spring for the iFM app.