Allow access to smartphones’ hidden radios

When Hurricane Irma wiped out power and cell phone service, a hidden feature in our smartphones could have helped Floridians stay informed.

But Apple refuses to flip the switch that would let the iPhone work like an FM radio.

Other tech companies have resisted, too, preferring we use their apps, downloads and streaming services instead. Still, the makers of Android and Samsung phones have relented, even if the feature remains unknown to many.

As a result, many smartphone users in the nation’s third most-populous state couldn’t hear the emergency alerts, storm updates and other critical information communicated after Hurricane Irma knocked out power to millions.

Instead, we were advised to buy batteryoperated radios in advance. Even if you could find and afford one, good luck finding the batteries to run them.

A better answer resides in the palm of our hand.

Smartphones contain an inner switch that lets them receive over-the-air analog signals from local radio stations. In other countries, including Cuba, manufacturers are required to flip the switch on. But in this country, Apple rules. And it prefers to sell the iPhone with the FM radio button switched off.

Apple’s resistance is unacceptable. No company’s bottom line should stand in the way of Floridians receiving life-saving information. Given our nation’s dependence on cell phones, the smartphone’s FM switch is a public safety issue. If Cuba can make manufacturers flip the switch, surely we can.

For years, the National Association of Broadcasters has called for smartphone manufacturers and mobile service providers to enable the FM radio chip. In the face of resistance, it helped develop a free app — called NextRadio — that lets you access FM radio on your phones, either through WiFi in streaming mode or without WiFi in FM mode.

For the FM mode to work, the chip must be activated and the mobile company provider must allow its use.

Android, Samsung, Sprint, AT&T, TMobile and other telecommunication companies have come onboard. Verizon supports the feature on some, but not all, of its smartphones, according to the broadcasters’ association.

But Apple, the industry’s big dog, stands opposed.

FEMA, the nation’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, says the switch could greatly improve communications during disasters. Cell phones going dark was a big problem during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, then-FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said in 2014.

“I don’t think people realize how vulnerable they get,” said Fugate, who once led Florida’s emergency management team. “When the cell systems went down or the data was overloaded, they couldn’t get information.”

In February, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai urged mobile phone companies to activate the FM radio chip in smartphones, but said the FCC doesn’t have the authority to require it, the Washington Post reported.

The telecommunications industry shouldn’t need a new law or regulation to do the right thing.

But companies don’t always act in people’s best interests. If they did, we wouldn’t need to regulate what someone may put in our water, add to our food or broadcast over the air, for example.

If Apple refuses to switch, Congress must act. And given the communications black hole created by Irma, Florida’s congressional delegation should take the lead.

On Tuesday, as victims of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey tried to salvage homes amid lingering flood damage and power outages, Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled a new line of iPhones, including a model that costs $1,000.

Cook took a moment to acknowledge the storm victims and pledge his fundraising support.

“You are in our thoughts,” he said. “We send you our strength. You are in our prayers.”

Beyond prayers, Floridians need our iPhones to receive FM broadcasts.

Do the right thing, Mr. Cook. Flip the switch. Lives depend on it.

Our app and streaming addictions won’t disappear if we have the option of listening to FM radio. That’s why our earbuds are plugged into an iPhone, not a Walkman.

We paid for these radio chips when we bought our pricey Apple phones. It’s time to let us turn them on.