NextRadio app owner TagStation has struck a deal with smartphone maker LG Electronics to unlock the FM chip in all its new phones, plus, LG plans to preload the NextRadio app on some of its phones, pending agreement with wireless carriers.
A release from TagStation called the development “a massive expansion of NextRadio” and noted that LG represents a quarter of the U.S. smartphone market and 12% of the Latin American mobile market.
This isn’t the first partnership between the companies. Sprint customers who purchased the LG G4 received a device that came with NextRadio preloaded, as well as an unlocked FM chip, and currently supported devices include the Fortune, G Flex, G Flex 2, G Stylo, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, Harmony, Realm, Risio, Stylo 2, Stylo 3, Tribute 5, Tribute HD, V20, Volt, Volt 2 and X Power, depending on the carrier.
TagStation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Emmis Communications.