There’s news today that Apple has bought a small stake in a company called Imagination Technologies. Why should that concern anyone who reads this blog?

At first glance, as The Register story notes, this seems to be all about taking a stake in a company whose products Apple already uses. In particular, some graphics technology already built into the iPhone and iPod Touch.

But Imagination Technologies has another string to its business. It also owns Pure Digital, the company strongly focused on making DAB digital radios.

Now while we really shouldn’t read too much into a single investment, it is now the case that Apple owns a stake in one of the biggest suppliers of DAB radios in the market. Radio, in all its forms, is something Apple has shunned to date in its iPod products. Even FM radio has always been sold as an add-on, usually via a remote control. Roberts, of course, have their Robi – a DAB digital remote. But a built in radio would be a real market changer.