I used to buy FM jogging radios every few years, hoping they’d finally work while… well… jogging. Or hiking. They never did. Reception was always spotty and full of static. All in all, they were exercises in consumer frustration—broken promises and technological impotence.

With the iPhone’s radio apps, that’s changed. I use NPR’s iPhone app all the time, and Sentient Meat has previously profiled the (very simple) KPCC app version 1. It did only one thing—play KPCC’s live stream—and it did it well. It wasn’t flawless but it did a good job.

KPCC’s new app has hit iTunes App Store, and it looks very good. In version 2.0, KPCC appears to have leapfrogged other radio apps, going from one of the smallest sets of features to one of the richest.

Sleep Timer

When I travel, I sometimes use my phone as a clock radio. Now KPCC does an even better impression of a clock radio with a sleep timer and alarm clock.

Member Benefits, including location sensing

I like KCRW’s app and it used to put KPCC’s to shame. But now KPCC’s has pulled ahead. One way is Member Benefits which shows you KPCC sponsors near you offering special deals.

Here’s some of KPCC’s rundown of their new features:

What’s New in Version 2.0

A completely re-imagined, re-designed KPCC iPhone app that dramatically expands your access to all of KPCC’s news and information. The new app goes way beyond live streaming– here’s a quick list of some of the major new features:

Enhanced Live Streaming

– An interactive program schedule
– Live stream radio bookmarks let you listen to a program once it is available on-demand
– You can now pause the live stream and start from where you left off.

On-Demand Audio

– Access to on-demand audio for all KPCC programs and our partner content. Listen to archived episodes of AirTalk, Marketplace, This American Life… whenever and wherever you want!

News Headlines

– You can now read our latest digital news stories online. Our best content from the web is served up fresh daily; read the latest local news and listen to KPCC at the same time.

KPCC Videos

– Watching the latest KPCC videos inside the app.

Member Benefits Directory

– Quickly find businesses nearby that offer Member Benefits discounts. It only takes a few taps to find a discount nearby, get directions on your phone, or call to make a reservation.

Quick Mobile Pledging

– Tap the Pledge button to become a member and support the KPCC voices you know and trust!.

 

I love public radio. The problem is, it’s hard to take with you on long walks or runs. I’ve tried FM radios for years. (Dating back to Sony Walkman with FM!). Nothing worked. I could tune a station for a few seconds, but every step was a struggle to keep the darn thing from filling with static or dropping out altogether. Or being replaced with loud mariachi music. (That’s how it sounded to my ignorant ears.)

You know how sometimes a stubbed toe can throb – and then ache – for literally weeks? But then when it stops hurting, the relief sort of creeps up on you, and you don’t notice it at first? One day you look back and realize, Hey! My toe stopped hurting!

That’s what happened with me and the radio + jogging problem. I loaded up KPCC’s free iPhone app and it worked. I started taking it on long walks and jogs (4+ miles), with lots of hills and gullies. It worked and I was happy.

And then I remembered! This used to be a pain. The radio never used to work, least of all amid hills and gullies. (FM works by line of sight.) KPCC had solved my problem for months already.

It just took a sudden flash for me to realize that the throbbing had finally stopped.

KPCC's free iPhone app

KPCC app needs on-demand. I do wish KPCC’s app had content available on demand, as KCRW’s app does.

Debs Park wildlife. When we first moved here, we were thrilled to be living next to a large park. Debs Park is slightly run down but utterly charming and chock full of wildlife – rabbits, squirrels, owls, redtail hawks, and coyotes. Lots and lots of coyotes. On one occasion, I started counting the coyotes crossing my path and there were at least 8. Eight coyotes in one group!

Provocative urban coyotes. Mind you, I am thrilled to have coyotes around – in fact I’m a big fan of Canis latrans. But my dogs are not big fans, especially our female terrier mix, Leenah. Whenever she hears the slightest sound which might be coyote-related, she charges around the house or yard, barking and carrying on like 40 pounds of very mad dog.

Canine-induced insomnia. During the day, this is fine. Leenah is just doing her job. But for several nights in a row she would wake us up at 1 AM, then 4 AM, then 6 AM – all in a single night. A gnawing dread began to set in. What if this continued for months on end? I’d surely lose my mind. I was desperate for a good night’s sleep.

Noise to the rescue. And that’s why I’m grateful for noise. White noise, that is. We found that if we tuned the stereo to a station with pure static, that would mask the sounds from the park just enough to let Leenah – and her human companions – sleep through the night without being disturbed by howling (or creeping) coyotes.

Coda to coyote tale. Even better than FM radio static is an iPhone app, Sleepmaker Rain Free. These days, I hook my iPhone up every night to the AUX input of my husband’s circa-1990 stereo receiver. I queue up the Sleepmaker Rain track, Gentle onto forest foliage. Then I adjust the volume just so.

Ahhh. Sleep.