CES 2009: iBiquity: HD Radio Portables Due In ’09

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, January 7, 2009

Las Vegas — HD Radio developer iBiquity expects a handful of portable radios and a growing selection of personal navigation devices (PNDs) to be available this year with HD Radio reception.

 The portables will include an MP3 player with embedded HD Radio and an antenna embedded in the headset, said iBiquity COO Jeffrey Jury. Another will be a stand-alone AM/FM headset portable, and a third will be an HD Radio accessory that attaches to MP3 players. They’re on display along with PNDs without visible brand names in iBiquity’s booth.

 With HD Radio receivers built in, PNDs receive high-speed, frequently updated, live traffic information, currently available through broadcaster Clear Channel on its HD Radio stations. Dual already offers one such PND.

 The portables are made possible by new chipsets available from Samsung and Siport. Battery-life targets are four to six hours, Jury said.