The hill in our backyard was a weed infested jungle. We looked into having a lawncare company rescue us, but when our grandkids heard of our dilemma, they volunteered to come over and clean it up.
Our grandkids that did the weeding are ages 12-15, and they did an excellent job and it only took them about three hours.
But that’s not the story I’m writing to tell you about.
Each of them was listening to their favorite music while doing the work. So, were they listening to an AM or FM radio station? Neither. They were streaming their favorite tunes on their smartphone.
Today’s Smartphone Rules
The smartphone has replaced so many of the past’s single use devices. Here’s a partial list:
- Camera
- Cam-recorder
- Radio
- Portable Music Player
- eBook Reader
- Calculator
- Voice Recorder
- GPS
- Flash Light
- Leveler
- Scanner
- Compass
- Portable Gaming Device
- Game Console Controller
- Barcode Scanner
- Credit Card Scanner
- USB Thumb Drive
- Portable Video Player
- Walkie Talkie
- Traditional Landline Phone
- Clock/Alarm Clock
- Wrist Watch
- Timer
- Books
- Calendar
- Notepad/Sketchpad
- Newspaper
- Photo Album
- Contact List/Phone Book
- Board Games
- Watching Movies
- Landline Internet
- Checking eMail
- Surfing Internet
- Video Chatting
- Thermostat
- Measuring Tape
- Guitar Tuner
- Light Meter
- ATM/Debit/Credit Cards
- Airline Tickets
- Business Cards
- Remote Controller
- Car Keys
- Paper Money/Coins
- Cable TV
- Laptops
- Getting an Uber/Lift
- Magazines
- Tourist/Visitor Guides
- Sheet Music
- Paper Tickets for Shows/Events/Movies
- Diaries
- TVs
- Pedometer
- Magnifying Glass
- Compact Mirror
- Cardiac Monitors
- Stopwatch
- Weather Forecasts
- Banking
- Train/Bus/Airline Schedules
- Metal Detector
You probably have some things I’ve missed. Please feel free to add them in the comments section of this blog.
Phones IN, Radio OUT
This isn’t new news. Edison Research reported in 2022 that 88% of Americans over the age of 16 own a smartphone. Moreover, 31% of those smartphone owners were now using their smartphone to listen to audio versus a traditional radio. That was four years ago!
RBR’s Jim Carnegie Predicted Radio’s Future 26 Years Ago
It was in the spring of 2000, that the late publisher of Radio Business Reports (RBR), Jim Carnegie, launched the first streaming radio station operated by a radio trade publication. Carnegie said that changes were happening too fast for radio owner/operators to wait until the morning fax to arrive. In addition to RBR’s website, they would now stream the latest news 24/7.
Jim & Cathy Carnegie devoted their lives to the radio industry and were passionate about pushing for everyone in radio to not be complacent and rest on their laurels. He not only talked the talk but through his publications walked it as well.
I will always remember what Jim Carnegie said about change and his words resonate with me still:
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