Cell phones will never reach their true potential as “universal wireless devices” without the ability to receive AM radio. That’s according to Mobile Dev&Design editor Louis Frenzel, who puts AM at the top of his list of  “A Dozen New Functions Every Cell Phone Should Have.”

According to Frenzel:  “There’s lots of great content like talk radio, news, weather, traffic, and music on local stations. Silicon Labs makes an AM/FM radio chip, so it’s very possible. AM in the 535- to 1710-kHz range is easy.”

The second item on Frenzel’s list of cell phone must-haves:  HD Radio…