Touch Screen Radio cometh

The next generation of DAB Radio will be known as Advanced DAB, featuring touch screens with slide shows, traffic news and tagging ability.

That's what a major supplier of DAB radio solutions Frontier Silicon is working on.

The company, which already provides technology to manufacturers including Pure, Roberts, Sony and many others, has developed a unique touch screen, full-colour audio-visual system that marks a major step forward in digital radio capabilities.

Once fully launched, "Touch Radio" will enable users to:

access a media-rich electronic program guide,

view a slideshow depicting station ID and imagery,

tag and store information on featured products via interactive advertising,

tag and store information on favourite music tracks for purchase,

watch real-time traffic information and receive updates on public transport.

Details of the “Touch Radio” systems release coincide with a government study – Digital Britain – that is expected to recommend the eventual migration of UK radio broadcasting to fully digital distribution.

Anthony Sethill, Chief Executive of Frontier Silicon, said: “Touch screen radio is the next step in digital radio platforms and visual experience. The technology and enhanced user functionality is just as big a leap as that from analogue to digital radio, if not bigger, and allows us to truly map out the future of DAB radio”.