Rumors about a relationship between HD Radio and Apple (APPL) have arisen the past, but reached a new level this week when a patent filed by Apple centered on HD Radio. The speculation is running now that this new patent has been revealed with some imagining future iPods including an HD tuner.

This is not the first time that such rumors have made their rounds. Despite the fact that large companies such as Apple often patent many things that never make it to market, if the rumor involves Apple, it will certainly make the news. Apple’s nano already offers an FM tuner, which enables users to discover new music via terrestrial radio and tag those songs for future purchase on iTunes. This new patent would take things a step further by allowing full HD service.

HD Radio is already a staple in Microsofts Zune HD, but Zune devices seem to be having diminishing market share and simply have not made the strides that fans had hoped for, even while leading the way in HD inclusion. As for satellite radio, a full blown relationship with Apple does not yet seem to be in the cards. Sirius XM (SIRI) does have apps that are available for Apple devices and the SkyDock, but that seems to be the extent of the planning at this point.

For now HD Radio seems to have a leg up on satellite, at least in terms of getting built into an Apple device.

[via AppleInsider]

Position – Long Sirius XM Radio, No Position Apple, Microsoft