Need FM Radio

[AZFox]

The conjecture is that Slate is investing cycles in optimizing any kind of audio system for the Blank Slate. To me, it’s highly unlikely.

That's reasonable.

If they do it'll add a lot of value, particularly the Premium Audio Option could.

You're never going to get "wide and deep sound stage with excellent instrument separation [yadda yadda audiophile word salad]" type of audio out of something like that. It just need to be something people will enjoy listening to and not be fatiguing or something like that.

 

[cvollers]

That's reasonable.

If they do it'll add a lot of value, particularly the Premium Audio Option could.

You're never going to get "wide and deep sound stage with excellent instrument separation [yadda yadda audiophile word salad]" type of audio out of something like that. It just need to be something people will enjoy listening to and not be fatiguing or something like that.

Agreed. I think the general expectation for audio quality in the Slate is relatively low. That said, throw enough after market dollars at an audio solution and you can get something fairly spectacular. People will vote with their dollars.

 

[AZFox]

“Company that does not include radio or speakers as a cost saving measure invests in state of the art audio engineering” would be a headline

Haha good point.

Including Premium Audio in every truck would be wasteful. So would including low-end audio, for that matter. You can't please everyone... or can you?

What they're proposing is offering a Premium Audio Option for enjoyable music content if you want that. It doesn't need to be state of the art to sound good. See also: Bose

Just want to listen to your sportsball games, podcasts, or maybe the "news" on the way to work? The unit that goes under the HVAC knobs should get that done.

The company is chock-full of experienced engineers from the CEO on down, so that's something.

So I'm gonna double down and say the Premium Audio Option might sound pretty good. Not state of the art Bang-&-Olufsen good, perhaps, but good enough so you'll be able to get a kick out of listening to your playlist.

 

[Letas]

Haha good point.

Including Premium Audio in every truck would be wasteful. So would including low-end audio, for that matter. You can't please everyone... or can you?

What they're proposing is offering a Premium Audio Option for enjoyable music content if you want that. It doesn't need to be state of the art to sound good. See also: Bose

Just want to listen to your sportsball games, podcasts, or maybe the "news" on the way to work? The unit that goes under the HVAC knobs should get that done.

The company is chock-full of experienced engineers from the CEO on down, so that's something.

So I'm gonna double down and say the Premium Audio Option might sound pretty good. Not state of the art Bang-&-Olufsen good, perhaps, but good enough so you'll be able to get a kick out of listening to your playlist.

True, and honestly this is one of those spots where I think Slate can really win the customization aspect. Make it easy to upgrade to aftermarket audio, offer a “fine” option for most. People that deeply care will always upgrade the audio, why not offer a bare bones option if it’s gonna Get ripped out!

 

[Luxrage]

Agreed. I think the general expectation for audio quality in the Slate is relatively low.

My mother's former 2011 F150 was a fleet spec 2-door F150 with only the two door speakers. It was fairly middling by car audio standards then. Nothing will sink as low as my Geo's terrible 4'' dash speakers and afterthought 4'' rear speakers GM hung in a cavity just to say it had 4 of 'em.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

If those were Android phones chances are they had an FM chip inside, but it wasn't activated.

True, sometimes if you just download the FM radio app, you will discover that it is there.. Worth a try. I have a Chromebook with an SDR program, but no available driver for it! Frustration!