Apple about to activate FM radio on the iPhone?

Apple is reportedly developing an FM radio application for the iPhone and iPod touch, with similar functions now available to iPod nano users.

According to Apple rumour website 9to5Mac, the FM radio would work in the background, like listening to music via iTunes, while users check email and surf the Internet.

Last month Apple added an FM radio tuner to the popular iPod nano with the ability to pause and rewind your favourite radio stations and shows while on the go.

The radio supports tagging in the US, with listeners able to buy songs they hear on air via iTunes.

According to 9to5Mac: "The holdup on this app is that Apple is trying to integrate the Mobile iTunes Store purchases into the functionality of the program."

The website suggests Apple could could add some Shazam technology to help with those stations that don't support tagging, which appears to be the majority of them.

Apple's iPhones and iPods are already able to receive FM radio signals but the function has only be used for the Nike+ ecosystem until now according to 9to5Mac.

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