It’s Not Your Average Radio. Have You Made the HD Radio Switch?

When you start your car, chances are as soon as the key enters the ignition it turns on your radio as well. Everyone has his or her favorite stations. It might be anything from top forty to smooth jazz. But, did you know that there are more stations out there that you didn’t even know existed?

These stations are HD stations that are only available on HD radio. An HD radio receives the normal analog broadcasts of AM and FM radio in addition to digital broadcasts. According to the official HD radio website, stations are available in all fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. These stations feature a wide variety of options for listeners of all genres. For example, in Baltimore you can find anything from classical to Country to talk radio. 

You also won’t have to worry about no longer having analog or being forced to switch. A few years ago, television broadcasting went completely digital. However, because of portable radios, you won’t be forced to make the switch any time soon though I would encourage you to do so. If you’re worried about making the switch, it’s very simple. HD radio doesn’t cost anything other than the initial purchase of one. Unlike subscription services such as Sirius or XM, listening to HD radio is completely free. 

Not only is it free, but it also comes with great advanced features: 

-Program Service Data: If you’re listening to a song and you want to know who sings it, you can easily check on an HD radio. Program Service data displays the song title and artist right on the screen as it plays 

-Digital Sound: Sometimes static interferes with you’re listening experience. This is no longer a problem on HD radio. Digital sound features a higher quality and no static interference. 

-iTunes Tagging: Perhaps one of the more advanced features of HD radio. You can easily connect your radio to your iTunes account. If you like a song you here you can “tag” it. It will then make a note in your iTunes account with an option for a future purchase. 

-Artist Experience: Your HD radio will display an album cover or picture of the artist as the song plays, thus mirroring the current iPod experience. 

-Live Pause: If for any reason you need to take a break but you still want to listen later, you have the unique ability to pause the radio even though it is live. 

-Bookmark: This feature saves a song or even ads in a bookmark folder for future reference. 

-Traffic: You’ll never have to worry about being late to work again. The HD radio can display traffic update in real time. 

All of these features make the HD radio not only a radio, but also a unique listening experience. With the ability to listen to more stations than ever before, radio usage may just experience a turnaround. Obviously, it has to compete with listeners who prefer to listen to their iPods or CDs. But for those who truly enjoy the experience of radio, HD is the ultimate solution. 

The Future of Filtering

As I open up one of my favorite websites, these are the first five things I see:

“Everything happens for a reason. #lifemotto”

“)))))):”

“i really want to see the vow when it comes out.... pathetic.”

“Burger King doesn't deliver anymore. What a bummer.”

“just destroyed my nails doing the dishes #homemakerproblems”

             Apart from each other, each snippet appears to be an isolated thought. However, all together, they encompass my up to the minute timeline on Twitter. These 140 character or less updates have become commonplace in today’s web-obsessed society. Yet, some question, “is the constant update of information necessary?” In the article, “Overload #Everything,” journalist Joab Jackson explores such a question. By the end of the article, he comes to the conclusion that when used the right way, Twitter can be a tool for the greater good. However, even in the article, Zeyenep Tufecki, a professor at UMBC, points out that people don’t realize how public these profiles are which can result in a “collapsing of boundaries.”

       

          In an effort to confront these collapsing boundaries, Clay Shirky presents what he calls “Filter Failure” a synopsis of what seems to be the problem with social media and other websites today. Shirky accurately acknowledges that the idea of information overload is nothing new. Even in the article, Mr. Jackson points out that such “micro messages” won’t be going anywhere any time soon. Although the platforms we use may change, the concept won’t. Cleary, the problem isn’t the abundance of information; rather, it is how do we filter it?

             Many may question, “so what?” or “why should I care?” But, as Shirky points out, we no longer have a “personal life.” Almost every thing we do is online, and it can become difficult to filter it from others. Shirky cites the example of a colleague who wanted to privately change her relationship status on Facebook, but unfortunately was unable to do so. He believes that managing privacy feels like “an unnatural act.”

            If it is so unnatural to us, how exactly are we to change it? Shirky does not provide a concrete response he only suggests a possible mental shift of rethinking social norms, but I think a solution is out there. Since this video has been created, more ways of filtering have been brought into the arena of social networks. Facebook now has settings that allow you to hide posts from specific people. For example, if I don’t want my Dad to see some photos, I can easily click a button to change the settings on those photos. Similarly, Google +, a new addition to the social network area, allows people to put their friends into “circles.” This revolutionary idea makes it easier to control who sees what content; it's a great safety feature for younger users.  I can post specifically and separately to family members, close friends, or colleagues with ease. While filtering may have been a problem of the past, such new tools are clearly the solution of the future.