Got a radio fan on your holiday gift list? Here are a few ideas to keep him or her happy. (And I won't say a word if the only person on your gift list is you.)
An iPhone or iPod touch
I've been a fan of Apple products since the early Pleistocene era, also known as the 1980s, so I'm perhaps a bit biased. But there's no denying that the iPhone and its phoneless sister, the iPod touch, are great gifts for anyone who likes radio, especially someone who's tired of the limited selection on the local dial.
The key is their versatility. Most radio stations broadcast online, so you can pick up those feeds. But thanks to software programs known as "apps," you can easily tune in to stations from other cities, plus many that are Internet-only.
Clear Channel, for example, offers more than 350 radio streams through its iheartradio app, including some devoted to music by ---- and programmed by ---- Christina Aguilera, the Eagles and Weezer. You can also listen via the Internet and through your Blackberry.
You can also use your iPhone to listen to commercial-free HD radio and podcasts of radio shows (all free) and even to satellite radio. But you have to be a current Sirius XM satellite subscriber, and the app doesn't include some popular programming, such as Howard Stern's show.
There's another option, although it's a weird one: You can buy a $119 doohickey (available through the Apple Store) that allows you to listen to satellite radio in your car ---- including Howard Stern ---- through your iPod touch or iPhone.
The Sirius XM SkyDock connects your device to your cigarette lighter, for power, and to an antenna to pull in the satellite signal. You've still got to pay for the satellite service, but the good thing appears to be that you can move this from car to car.
A fancy NPR radio
If you like National Public Radio and would like the freedom to hear more than KPBS-FM, go to the store at npr.org and check out the NPR Radio by a company called Livio. It's $199 and connects to your home's high-speed Internet connection system to provide access to 16,000 Internet stations. It is specially programmed to find NPR stations and programs, allowing you to listen to your favorite shows whenever you want.
You can do the same thing with your computer, of course, but this radio may save you a bit of fiddling around. And you'll look more intelligent by having one of these things sitting around the house.
As you know, outward displays of NPR listenership, such as British accents, automatically make people appear smarter than they actually are.
An HD radio
For the first time, it won't cost you a bundle to listen to listen to HD radio through a receiver. One portable HD radio model now costs just $49.99, although it's only available at Best Buy.
But buyer beware, especially if you live in North County. Here's the deal. The radio industry touts HD Radio ---- the HD doesn't stand for anything, by the way ---- as providing static-free programming. You can hear regular local stations and their "subchannel" secondary stations, which are currently commercial-free.
The idea is that you'll be so excited by all this extra free programming that you won't listen to anything else. The problem: Reception can stink, especially in areas like North County.
My advice: Keep your receipt.
Quickie
Run for your lives! Christmas music is here! Yes, soft-rock station KyXy is now playing holiday tunes 24 hours a day. Other stations, like soft-jazz KIFM and Star 94.1, have added holiday tunes to their playlists.
According to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (better known as ASCAP), the most popular Christmas song of the past decade, judging by radio play and sales of singles, is "Winter Wonderland." Which version is most popular on the radio? It's not the one by Jewel or by Air Supply, although those are popular. The version by the Eurythmics (!) is No. 1. Here are the other songs in the top 10, listed with the artist or group who gets the biggest amount of play singing it on the radio:
10. "Little Drummer Boy," The Harry Simeone Chorale & Orchestra
9. "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," Gene Autry
8. "Jingle Bell Rock," Hall & Oates
7. "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" Michael Buble
6. "White Christmas," Bing Crosby
5. "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," Bruce Springsteen
4. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," The Pretenders
3. "Sleigh Ride," The Ronettes
2. " The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)," Nat "King" Cole
In case you're wondering, there's no mention of that song about Grandma and the unfortunate incident involving the reindeer. It didn't make the top 25 on the ASCAP list.
Randy Dotinga is the only person who actually looks dumber while listening to NPR. E-mail him at NCTimesRadio@aol.com.
