Now THIS is usability! Encoding coded instructions within FM radio signals to keep tabs on energy consumption of our appliances. Further, using the national radio network – in this case, the CBC – as a broadcast medium. No need to build an entirely new network and no need to rely on the Internet.
- Content strategy and creation
Broadcast FM radio has room in the signal format to squeeze in a data channel. I do not want to get overly technical here but this is a low bit rate (slow) unidirectoinal, (one way) data channel (see wikipedia ). Some FM stations broadcast their ID and playlist on this channel. This can be seen on some car radios and some home receivers. Embedding receivers, perhaps as small as coin, in applicances to make use of this capability is certainly an innovative idea.