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 « February 2005 | Main | April 2005 » March 31, 2005Real Public Media Intros Clickcaster, Turnkey Podcasting SolutionReal Public Media has introduced ClickCaster, a tool that gives anyone the ability to create, license, publish and promote their own podcast. ClickCaster is a website that anyone can use to create an on-demand radio show/Podcast by clicking, recording and listing on the ClickCaster directory service. Once a show is created, listeners can subscribe to the show via the Internet. Whenever a new recording is created, the show is automatically delivered to the listener's computer or MP3 player. Basic ClickCaster service is a flat $34.95 a year, which includes the web software to create your podcast, and hosting service. An enhanced package is available for $99, which includes a stand-alone ClickCast creation application, along with a library of royalty-freee sounds and music. A "pro" version is also available for $399. This includes a USB capable 8-channel mixer, 4 professional-quality microphones and cables, the enhanced ClickCast creation software and the sound and music library. The initial beta period, starting in April, will be free of charge. Posted by jlewin at 07:54 AM | Comments (0) Yahoo Introduces Creative Commons Search EngineYahoo! has introduced Yahoo! Search for Creative Commons, a search designed to help find content on the Web that is free to share or build upon. Options are available to limit the scope to content that can be used for commercial purposes, or that can be modified, adapted or built upon. The search engine helps you quickly find those authors and the work they have marked as free to use with only "some rights reserved." If you respect the rights they have reserved, then you can use the work without having to contact them and ask. In some cases, you may even find work in the public domain -- that is, free for any use with "no rights reserved." Why is this important? Copyright applies fully and automatically to any work - a photograph, a song, a web page, an article, pretty much any form of expression - the moment it is created. This means that if you want to copy and re-use a creative work you find online, you usually have to ask the author's permission. This "all rights reserved" protection is good thing for many authors and artists. But what about those who want you to use their work freely without permission -- but on certain conditions? Yahoo! Search for Creative Commons Posted by jlewin at 06:04 AM | Comments (0) New Podcast App Targets Radio MarketLoyal Ears, a "media rewards" company, has announced a podcasting platform that is designed to marry radio's huge audience penetration with the rapidly emerging download technology. In an effort with Los Angeles based Bridge Ratings, Loyal Ears has designed a turn-key application to facilitate free or revenue download podcasts for listener consumption. Loyal Ears President Jimmy Risk remarked, "Clear Channel's entry last week into podcasting underscores the urgency for radio to connect beyond the dial. Fortunately our technology makes sure that Clear Channel stations won't be having all the fun. At low cost, we'll arm their competitors with everything they'll need to spread brand and revenue by podcast and beat them to the punch in most markets. Biggest is never fastest." "This technology will give us several opportunities including the ability to compete directly with satellite radio. Our revenue model is based on research that indicates podcasting fans don't want business as usual." notes Glen Gardner, President Mid-West Family Broadcast. "We think people are willing to pay for many pods including edgy programming. Sirius is banking half-a-billion dollars on that premise. It will cost us pennies on the dollar." The technology provides radio stations with a platform for free podcasts with sponsorship opportunities or an on-demand model with download revenue. Loyal Ears also will offer an advisory service offering ways to advance commercial podcast efforts. Loyal Ears will roll out their client stations in April 2005. Posted by jlewin at 05:49 AM | Comments (0) March 30, 2005DrizzleCast Optimizes Podcast DownloadsNuParadigm DrizzleCast is a new tool for easily downloading podcasts while preserving network bandwidth. DrizzleCast is currently available as a free download on NuParadigm.com. Using Microsoft BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) technology, DrizzleCast works with idle bandwidth to download digital multimedia files, providing continuous file transfers without disrupting access to other network-based applications. “DrizzleCast is just what you need to add the latest podcasts to your portable device or Media Center PC,” says Shawn Miller, Software Engineer Lead at NuParadigm. “It’s automatic and easy to use. Simply tell it which podcasts you’re interested in and where to download the data. DrizzleCast unobtrusively downloads files in the background when you’re not actively using your network connection.”
With mamy podcast clients, network usage is limited during file transfers, as the large files require significant bandwidth to download. Thanks to Microsoft BITS technology, DrizzleCast counters this problem by using only idle or “leftover” network space to download files. DrizzleCast suspends activity when network space is needed for another application and automatically resumes where it left off when bandwidth becomes available. New files are continuously “drizzled” to the users, eliminating the need to schedule downloads during off-peak network use. DrizzleCast also allows users to choose where to store their downloaded files. Rather than using one global location for all files, users can create separate storage folders depending on their downloaded content. Posted by jlewin at 08:51 PM | Comments (0) March 29, 2005Podcasting News Announces iPod mini Giveaway
Podcasting News is giving away a 4 GB iPod mini to thank people for contributing to the Podcast Directory, the only major podcast directory that lets you add and edit your own links. To participate, podcasters and podcast fans just add a podcast to the Podcast Directory between now and April 30th, 2005. Up to ten podcasts per user will qualify. Podcasters that have added their podcast previously can enter by becoming a featured podcast. The winner will be selected randomly from podcast links and featured podcasts added between March 29th & April 30th, 2005. Free iPod mini Contest Details Posted by jlewin at 03:24 AM | Comments (2) AudioShell 1.0 Offers Free Windows MP3 Tag EditingAudioShell is a freeware MS Windows Explorer shell extension plug-in that lets you view and edit music files tags directly in Windows Explorer. AudioShell adds tag editor and viewer tabs to music files properties page:
System requirements: AudioShell is designed for Windows 2000/XP and higher. Supported files and tags formats: mp3 (all ID3v2 tag versions), wma, asf and wmv, Apple iTunes aac (m4a and m4p) and mp4 files, ogg, flac (vorbis comment tags), mpc , mp+, monkey's audio, wav pack, optim frog ( APE and APEv2 tags). AudioShell include full Unicode support. Posted by jlewin at 03:06 AM | Comments (0) Corante Announces Podcast Hotel
Corante's goal is to create a place "where people come to learn and share how these content creation tools can be used in any way they want, be it for their personal use, their business or their community." Experts will be on hand to share and show how the tools can be used. There will be "how to," discussions, "think tank," talks and demonstrations. According to Corante's Alex Williams, "Our goal is to create art, be observers, create new works, new styles that reflect society and the world. As Mary Hodder said to me: we'll be hackers, experimenters. In a way, we'll be having our own podcast and videoblog rave." When: July 15-17, 2005 Where: Portland, Oregon. Hotel TBA. About Podcast Hotel For a few days in July, a funky, retro hotel will become a podcast and videoblog studio. Rooms will be for recording, editing and producing. The court yard will be a media lounge. The underground club will be for podcast concerts. And the city of Portland, along with the rest of the world, will become our stage. Additional information is available at the Corante site. Posted by jlewin at 02:52 AM | Comments (0) Marina Motivates with Fitness Podcasts
"I hate working out!" quips Marina. "There were no workout programs that I enjoyed doing on a regular basis so I created my own". Marina has created 3 different workout podcasts, based on the type of workouts needed for total fitness, taking care of your mind as well as your body. Marina writes and produces original NRG Dance Music CDs and Workout Videos, and has produced workout shows airing on local cable TV channels around the country. MARINA has been featured nationally on Discovery Health Network, PBS, in The New York Times and Family Circle Magazine. Marina’s Podcast website premiers with 3 - 10 minute Cardio Aerobic workout podcasts (enough for a 1/2 hour workout of walking, running and aerobics), a Body Sculpting Podcast workout (stretching, body sculpting and circuit training), and a "Confessions of a Food-A-Holic" Podcast. Posted by jlewin at 02:00 AM | Comments (0) PodcasterCon Offers Alternative to Commercial Podcast ConferencesPlanning is underway for PodcasterCon, a free users conference about podcasting. The catalyst for the conference is AudioActivism's Brian Russell. According to Russell, "The focus will be on learning. In effect, it is an anti-expo without swag, without product promotion, and a way to keep podcasting fun!" He adds, "My battle cry about podcasting for months now has been KEEP PODCASTING FUN!" PodcasterCon Goals: Unlike most conferences, PodcasterCon is being planned communally, using a Wiki. Details on the conference are just beginning to be hammered out. It will be held at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. No date has been set. PodcasterCon Features: Anyone that is interested in contributing ideas or participating can contribute at the PodcasterCon Wiki. Posted by jlewin at 01:32 AM | Comments (0) Vegas Buzz Radio Plans 24-Hour Vegas PodcastVegas Buzz Radio plans to launch a 24-hour a day Centennial Radio Celebration network Mid-April 2005 and is looking for program contributors. According to Vegas Buzz Radio's Jerry Wilson, "With the high-profile of Las Vegas, the Centennial Year Celebrations...building up to the 100th birthday of the world' most fascinating city, this new radio community will afford unprecedented exposure for podcasters of all stripes!" Vegas Buzz Radio is looking for podcasts relating to the city's history, events, and partying in Vegas. Wilson notes that there are many benefits for podcasters: * Being part of a broadcasting community; Interested podcasters can contact Wilson at wilpro@cox.net. Posted by jlewin at 01:17 AM | Comments (0) March 26, 2005Blog of Death Introduces PodcastsThe Blog of Death, a Weblog of daily obituaries, recently debuted its own podcasting service. Audio Obit features condensed, spoken word versions of the obituaries that appear on The Blog of Death. Each broadcast is less than 5 minutes long, and available through an RSS feed. The Blog of Death and Audio Obit are written and produced by Jade Walker, a Seattle-based author who has always had a passion for obituaries. As the overnight editor/producer of The New York Times on the Web, she published the site's Obits section and spent a year working on the Portraits of Grief, a collection of obits for the victims of the Sept. 11th terror attacks. When she edited Inscriptions Magazine, Walker compiled the hugely popular R.I.P. section of writer obits. "Each night as I write my obituaries, I strive to highlight the lives people led and the amazing things they accomplished," Walker said. "Death comes to us all, but each obit inspires me to live with passion and purpose." Since its debut in 2003, The Blog of Death has published 1,300+ obituaries and 10,000+ tributes. The site has also been featured in The Sacramento Bee, USA Today, the Philadelphia Inquirer, The Miami Herald, MSNBC, the Houston Chronicle, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Poynter Online, Quietpoly Magazine, Yahoo! Picks and CBSMarketwatch.com. Posted by jlewin at 11:38 PM | Comments (0) Music and Video Downloading Moves Beyond P2P27% of internet users say they download either music or video files, and about half of them have found ways outside of traditional peer-to-peer networks or paid online services to swap their files, according to the most recent survey of the Pew Internet & American Life Project. The Project’s national survey of 1,421 adult Internet users conducted between January 13 and February 9, 2005 shows that 19% of current music and video downloaders, or about 7 million adults, say they have downloaded files from someone else’s iPod or MP3 player. About 28%, or 10 million people, say they get music and video files via email and instant messages. In all, 48% of current downloaders have used sources other than peer-to-peer networks or paid music and movie services to get music or video files. Beyond MP3 players, email and instant messaging, these alternative sources include music and movie websites, blogs and online review sites. Highlights: * Current file downloaders are now more likely to say they use online music services like iTunes than they are to report using p2p services. The percentage of music downloaders who have tried paid services has grown from 24% in 2004 to 43% in our most recent survey. * The percentage of internet users who say they download music files has increased from 18% (measured in a February 2004 survey) to 22% in our latest survey from January 2005. Still, this number continues to rest well-below the peak level (32%) registered in October 2002. Posted by jlewin at 07:28 AM | Comments (0) March 24, 2005EarthCore First Sci-Fi Novel Podcast
"You can listen to them on your iPod or MP3 player, letting you enjoy the story while driving, at the gym, walking -- anywhere you want to listen," Sigler said. "You listen whenever you want." According to Sigler, the novel features "killer robots, dismemberments, decapitations, machine guns, actual science, blood, blood & more blood, and a super-hot villainess who dabbles in S&M." Synopsis of EarthCore Deep below a desolate Utah mountain lies the largest platinum deposit ever discovered. A billion-dollar find, it waits for any company that can drill a world's record mine shaft, three miles under the surface. EarthCore is the company with the technology, the resources and the guts to go after the mother lode. Young executive Connell Kirkland is the company's driving force, pushing himself and those around him to uncover the massive treasure. But at three miles below the surface, where the rocks are so hot they burn bare skin, something has been waiting for centuries. Waiting ... and guarding. Kirkland and EarthCore are about to find out first-hand why this treasure has never been unearthed. The free podcast feed is available at http://www.scottsigler.net/earthcore , and will run for 20 episodes. Posted by jlewin at 09:00 PM | Comments (0) Skinny on Sports Presents First Sports Awards PodcastThe Skinny on Sports has posted a special episode of their podcast entitled The Skinnies. While the normal format of The Skinny on Sports is a 10 minute weekly audio program discussing the latest topics and opinions in the world of sports, this episode is the first ever podcasted sports awards show. The show features some popular names from the podcasting world, as well as some stars from the music world, presenting the awards. Presenters include Hootie and the Blowfish, Adam Curry, Dawn and Drew, Michael Geoghegan, Michael Butler, Dave Slusher, Tim Bourquin, Brad Sucks, and Funtime Ben. "We were pleased to be able to work with such great people and the support and cooperation that they showed was vital to the show's success. We had a blast recording the show and we hope that others will enjoy listening," said The Skinny on Sports' Andy Skinn. The categories for the awards range from athlete of the year to best theatrical performance by an athlete and everything in between. "Part of the reason why we wanted to do the show is as a summary of some of our top stories since we started podcasting and to have fun giving out awards that no other award show ever would," said Skinn. iPodlounge sponsored the show in the form of a prize give-away. After listening to the show, a visit to the site will let visitors enter a draw with the chance to win a 1 Gig iPod Shuffle or Etymotic 6i earphones valued at $150. Details are available at the site. Posted by jlewin at 08:22 AM | Comments (0) SmartFeed Announces Free Smart Phone Podcast ClientSmartFeed is a free podcast client for MS Smart Phones. The client lets you browse your feed list, select and update feeds, and download new podcasts.
Smart Feed automatically fetches Podcasts at a time that you specify. When downloading new podcasts, a progress bar provides feedback. Smart Feed also supports resumable downloading. Features: Information is available at the SmartFeed site. Posted by jlewin at 08:07 AM | Comments (1) MyRSSCreator Adds Podcasting SupportMyRSSCreator, a web-based RSS tool, has added full podcasting support. The application is wizard-driven, making it easy to use, and requires no software install, so it can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection. Features: The service is $27/month. A 14-day free trial is available. Posted by jlewin at 06:36 AM | Comments (1) March 23, 2005BlogMatrix Sparks! Offers One-Stop Podcasting SolutionBlogMatrix has announced an update to its integrated podcasting/podcatching application – BlogMatrix Sparks! 2.0. “Sparks! is a one-stop solution that makes podcasting easy and affordable”, says founder David Janes. “It is the easiest way record, share, store and listen to podcasts. Now everybody can podcast.” With BlogMatrix Sparks!, podcasters can: * Record podcasts directly on their computer “Podcasting, like blogging, creates online communities where people can share their views, experiences and interests. The problem is that access to the community has been made difficult by technical and financial barriers”, explains Janes. “BlogMatrix Sparks! removes the barriers; it is no longer the domain of the technophile.” Features: * Subscribe to podcasts being published on the BlogMatrix site or any other site. Sparks! is available in three packages: BaseCaster * Price: $5 one time activation/software fee, with a 4 week free trial MasterCaster * Price: $5/month or $50/year (activation/software fee included) BlasterCaster * Price: $10/month or $100/year (activation/software fee included) Posted by jlewin at 05:49 PM | Comments (1) Rice Podcast Gets UsedClickz is reporting that the Eric Rice Show will being airing content from the band "The Used" as part of a sponsorship deal with Warner Brothers. Warner Brothers becomes the first major label to experiment with "advertainment" through podcasting. The Eric Rice Show features Rice and three colleagues, and is described like this: "Everything from entertainment, technology, and culture, this show from California is led by Silicon Valley's Eric Rice and joined by a cast of millions." Progress or Payola? The bold move by Warner Brothers opens up new opportunities for podcasters interested in generating revenue. Podcasts with substantial audiences could offer an attractive channel for record labels wanting to create a buzz around new bands. The deal was brokered by Bill Flitter of Pheedo, an RSS marketing firm. Flitter describes the sponsorship as "paid placement." The sponsorship raises the possibility that podcasters may soon have a strong financial incentive to air similar commercial content. Rice plans to disclose ths show's financial relationship when he plays the paid content, but there's no rule that says that he or other podcasters have to do so. Free of FCC rules, podcasting offers labels an opportunity to use "grassroots" media in ways that would not be allowed in the broadcast world. Posted by jlewin at 12:10 PM | Comments (0) OurMedia Offers Free Storage and Bandwidth for PodcastersOurMedia.org has announced that it is offering free permanent storage, and free bandwidth, for videos, audio files, photos, text or software. The site is described as "a global community and learning center where you can gain visibility for your works of personal media." The site provides free tools for publishing media files and creating blogs. Ourmedia is: * An open-source project built and staffed by volunteers About the Project The Ourmedia project was started by members of the creative and technology communities in the summer of 2004. Partners in the effort are the Internet Archive, Bryght, Creative Commons and Wikipedia. Leading the effort are J.D. Lasica, a writer, editor with the Online Journalism Review, and evangelist for participatory media, and Marc Canter, a well-known technologist and open standards advocate who co-founded the company that became software giant Macromedia. It is purely an open-source, all-volunteer effort. “We’re living in a time of fundamental change in the media landscape,” said Lasica, a blogger and author of an upcoming book on the personal media revolution. “We’ve been taught that only a trained professional elite can create media. But people are now realizing that there are alternatives to top-down, passive consumer culture. “Some of the most startling forms of new expression can be found online in the works ordinary people are creating every day,” he said. “Ourmedia is about spotlighting those works and creating a place where people can come together, learn how to create do-it-yourself media, and discover these creative jewels that are now hidden away.” “The biggest hurdle people face today after creating a really cool movie or taking some really amazing photos is: What now? Where do I put it? How do I share it?” Lasica said. “We say: Put it here and we’ll store it, safeguard it, and let you show it off. Free. Forever.” Ourmedia agrees to host such works as long as the authors or artists are willing to share their works with the global community. Podcasters and videobloggers like the service because they can upload their media without being hit by hundreds of dollars in bandwidth bills, as sometimes happens when a file they host becomes widely popular. Ourmedia will also test the boundaries of fair use, permitting inventive or educational mash-ups or “remix” works that contain small snippets of copyrighted work — but drawing the line against infringement and illegal misappropriation of others’ content. Advisors include Lawrence Lessig, a Stanford University professor and chairman of Creative Commons; James Boyle, co-director of the Center for the Study of the Public Domain at Duke Law School; David Bollier, co-founder of the public interest group Public Knowledge; Angela Beesley of Wikipedia; authors Howard Rheingold and Dan Gillmor, and 10 others. The next step for Ourmedia is to expand beyond a single repository and allow other organizations to link together under a common open-standards registry, said Canter, a multimedia pioneer who founded the company that became software giant Macromedia. “Imagine being able to tap into the richest repositories of freely shareable works in the world and create image albums, slide shows, video jukeboxes and media libraries with a few mouse clicks,” Canter said. “We’re on our way there. But we need others to pitch in and help.” Ourmedia will take advantage of the latest publishing technologies to offer RSS feeds that let anyone subscribe to a channel, such as music videos or animations; peer-to-peer technologies such as BitTorrent, which allows people to easily and legally share their own creations; and search tools that will allow anyone to legally remix or build upon others’ works. Posted by jlewin at 07:51 AM | Comments (3) John Edwards Podcast Goes Live
The podcast features Edwards discussing his work on poverty. Edwards also answers questions submitted to the One America Committee site. The topics discussed range from possible FEC proposals to regulate blogging, to drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge, to how to increase the youth vote. It also features Elizabeth Edwards, who has been dealing with breast cancer. She's using her high profile to help to raise awareness of breast cancer issues. "As Democrats, it is essential that we use the most cutting edge tools at our disposal to fight for the causes near and dear to our hearts," said Edwards. "Podcasting is an amazing new medium that has given a voice -- literally -- to people all across America. That is why I am inviting people everywhere to visit my website, listen to this podcast, and subscribe to future podcasts." The podcast is surprisingly direct and personal. The show is recorded at the Edwards' home, and offers an intimite view into the mind of a prominent politician and his family. As Edwards describes in the podcast, "Elisabeth and I are both sitting here at our kitchen table. The microphones are sitting on my four-year old Jack's blanket that he sleeps with every night, so we feel very much at home, and I hope you enjoy this discussion!" John Edwards' podcast is available via the One America Committee site, and can be directly downloaded or subscribed to using a news feed (http://www.oneamericacommittee.com/podcast.xml). Posted by jlewin at 07:05 AM | Comments (3) March 22, 2005PodGuides Offer Free Audio Tours
A PodGuide is the combination of a map (PDF) of a certain place and a series of audio tracks (mp3) which you can download for your iPod or other media player. Stops on the map are marked with a dot indicating the related audio track. As the site describes them, "Think of an audio tour in a museum, but not limited to just that. You could have a PodGuide about the 10 coolest pubs in London for example, or a PodGuide which shows you the most well-known historic buildings in Bruges." PodGuides is a free service, and the site is looking for podcasters to contribute guides. Information is provided at the site to help interested podcasters. Posted by jlewin at 01:04 PM | Comments (1) Podcasting Featured at GnomeDex 5Chris Pirillo has announced the Gnomedex 5.0 keynote speaker - seminal podcaster Adam Curry. Curry is expected to discuss podcasting and the views of a Net entrepreneur. Gnomedex is a relatively small IT convention, but it consistently attracts an interesting collection of speakers, presenters and attendees. The theme of this year's convention is "Producing, Consuming, & Monetizing Technology." Gnomedex 5.0 is being held in downtown Seattle, June 23-25, and is limited to 300 registrants. Topics of focus will be Grassroots of RSS, Blogging, Podcasting, BitTorrent, & Media. Posted by jlewin at 02:47 AM | Comments (0) NASA Podcast Explores the Universe
Science@NASA has been providing audio recordings of science news stories for years. Last December, the site began podcasting those stories. By February, Science@NASA was the #1 most popular podcast among users of the Podcasting News website. "We're pleasantly surprised to get a number one ranking so quickly. The Science@NASA podcast has existed for such a short time. Rising to number one after only about two months is pretty amazing," says Ron Koczor, manager of Science@NASA at the Marshall Space Flight Center. "I think it shows that lots of people out there are interested in NASA science," Koczor says. Between its December launch and the end of February, listeners accessed the Science@NASA podcast more than 360,000 times. Bryan Walls, curator of the Science@NASA web site and the architect of its podcasting service, explains how to access a podcast: "Connect your MP3 player to your computer, then connect your computer to the Internet. Podcasting software lets you 'subscribe' to a particular podcast like Science@NASA. Whenever that podcast is updated with a new installment, the software downloads the update and sticks it on your MP3 player." The most popular podcasting software is a free program called iPodder, but other programs for podcasting are available as well. With these programs, users can find podcasts, create lists of their favorites, and automatically download new material to their MP3 player. ("And for those without an MP3 player," notes Walls, "podcasts play fine from the computer, too.") "To get the Science@NASA podcast, point your podcasting software to http://science.nasa.gov/podcast.xml," says Walls. "People are free to put Science@NASA stories on their own websites or other publications, as long as they give us proper credit," adds Koczor. Likewise, people are free to use the Science@NASA podcast, sharing it with friends, or perhaps including audio excerpts from an article in their own, personal podcast. Currently the podcast is available only in English, though Koczor says they're planning a Spanish version in the near future. "We're always looking for new ways to make Science@NASA available to people," says Walls. "You can get our stories on your MP3 player, your Palm or Pocket PC, and even on some cell phones." "Thanks to these cutting-edge technologies," says Koczor, "more people than ever before are tuning into the fascinating world of NASA science." Original Article Courtesy of NASA Posted by jlewin at 02:30 AM | Comments (1) Linkroll Adds Podcast SupportLinkroll.com, a free link blogging service, has added support for personal podcast channels. The site lets users bookmark, categorize and comment on pages or files you have or find on the web. Your bookmarks are available, by category, in the form of an RSS feed. Users can now add links to media files, include MP3 files, in Linkroll posts. These media links will then appear in RSS feeds as enclosures. Posts can be tagged for categorization, letting users create as many custom podcast channels as they like. Groups can also create a collaborative podcast channel, just by using the same tag. More information is available at the Linkroll.com site. Posted by jlewin at 02:04 AM | Comments (0) March 18, 2005SportPodcasts Offers Free Podcast PlayerSportPodcasts.com, a growing topical directory of sports-related podcasts, has introduced a custom podcast player. The player is available for podcasters to use on their sites, free of charge. The site's custom player lets you play any podcast on the site by clicking the player's "Listen" button, instead of downloading files. Interested podcasters can get additional information at the SportPodcast site. SportPodcasts lists 65 podcasts and is adding new ones regularly. The site went live on Jan 7th, 2005, and is the biggest directory of sports-related podcasts. "Our next podcast will be DFWsports.com. It will be a podcast about sports in the Dallas Ft Worth area of Texas. It will cover the Cowboys Football, Stars Hockey, Texas Rangers Baseball and other area teams," notes SportPodcasts' Gary Leland. "Our mission is to list every sports related podcast known." Posted by jlewin at 06:27 PM | Comments (0) March 17, 2005BlogMatrix Announces Sparks! 2.0 BetaBlogMatrix has announced Sparks! 2.0 in a limited beta release. Sparks! is an application for recording, sharing and listening to podcasts. New Features: * An integrated multi-track recorder and mixer designed for podcasters. * The ability to create accounts and upload podcasts to the BlogMatrix server. * On the server, your podcasts are automatically converted into a blog with an RSS feed and the podcasts are converted into torrents. * Sparks! can download podcasts via podcast subscription or by dragging torrents directly into Sparks!. Sparks! 2.0 is in soft release to the podcasting community, to test server capacity and solicit feedback. The official release date is expected to be Wednesday, March 23, 2005. Sparks! is available at the Blogmatrix site. Posted by jlewin at 06:19 PM | Comments (1) Microcaster Declares Podcasting Dead On ArrivalRhythmic Pulsar Media, a microcasting production company, has declared podcasting dead on arrival. “Podcasting has had its day, and must make way for Microcasting," says RPM's Renny Manne. "I’m pleased to say that all of us at Rhythmic Pulsar Media celebrate the change.” “To totally misquote Marshall MacLuhan, the medium is the message …not the device”, adds Manne, producer and host of RPM's Screen Gems microcast. Posted by jlewin at 05:39 PM | Comments (7) Podcasting Alliance Announces Five City TourGuerrilla Marketing International and Jackstreet Media have announced that they will sponsor five conferences aimed at bringing together the business, marketing and media expertise required to use podcasting as a profitable business channel. "For all the interest that podcasting has generated, it is largely a non-commercial form of expression dominated by a wide cast of not-for-profit characters that make up the world of bloggers," says Jackstreet Media's Errol Smith. "We're having fun with Internet radio, too, but our focus is on business models, revenue models and identifying clear paths to profitability," said Smith. The conference is part of the Guerrilla Marketing Business University Tour. Sessions will be held in Orlando, Las Vegas, San Francisco New Orleans and Vancouver. Each event will focus on podcasting's possibilities as a media business, a brand building tool, a marketing and business development tool and a sales channel. One approach that will be explored is called nanocasting, a form of Internet radio that encompasses podcasting, but is profit-driven, e-commerce enabled and uses multiple approaches to hyper-target the right commercial audience. Presenters will include Jay Conrad Levinson, the founder of Guerrilla Marketing and author of the best-selling marketing series, Guerrilla Marketing and Smith, Emmy Award winning reporter at KTLA, radio talk show host and founder of Jackstreet Media. Other speakers will discuss key business and financial issues. "With the right knowhow, podcasting can be the quintessential Guerrilla Marketing channel," said Jay Conrad Levinson. Each conference will have capacity for 200 people, and will last two and a half days. Dates have already been booked for Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, The Ritz Carlton in New Orleans and the Peabody Hotel in Orlando. The program aims to attract guerrilla media entrepreneurs and to identify promising new media models and partners for possible co-ventures. For more information on the session, contact Jeannette Bernstien at Jackstreet Media, 818-245-1601, or by email at info@readersradionetwork.com. Posted by jlewin at 08:43 AM | Comments (0) phpBB Blog System Adds Podcasting SupportDeveloper Anthony Boyd has updated phpBB Blog to 2.2. The phpBB Blog system turns a phpBB forum into a blog. The update adds podcasting support. The system comes with a sample template, and can be embedded in a home page. It also provides an RSS feed.
The optional phpBB Podcast mod adds podcasting support. This release featured new stylesheets, more GEO meta tags, and admin edits for trackbacks. It uses Google's nofollow attribute for trackback links, no longer requires PHP to have short_open_tags enabled, and comes with revamped documentation. A phpBB forum is required. Posted by jlewin at 08:36 AM | Comments (0) March 16, 2005iPodder Version 2.0 Released
iPodder lets users to capture and listen to Internet audio programs anytime, anywhere. It allows users to select and download shows and music and to play whenever they want on their iPods, portable digital media players, or computers automatically, after specifying which music or shows they want to listen to. iPodder has been downloaded over 125,000 times since it was introduced last August, letting users tap into the growing popularity of podcasts. iPodder continues to be free and cross-platform, available on Windows, Macintosh and Linux platforms. Changes in Version 2.0: iPodder Features: To Download Posted by jlewin at 05:52 PM | Comments (1) March 15, 2005Picostation Intros Smartphone Publishing ApplicationPicostation demo'd the new release of PicoBlogger 2 at the Nokia Pro Developer showcase in CTIA. The new release of the mobile blogging software is an end-to-end solution that enables wireless carriers to build dynamic mobile communities. The new release lets users publish pictures, videos and audio podcasts from their mobile cameraphone. Picostation offers its software to wireless carriers as a white label solution. Wireless carriers can license the software or use Picostation's managed service, which allows for rapid deployment and a quick to market solution. * Integration with carrier billing system Picostation allows users to post to their own blog system whether it's in the enterprise or hosted by service provider. A free download of Picoblogger 2 is available. Posted by jlewin at 04:15 PM | Comments (0) John Edwards Announces Podcast
He made the announcement via his site, JohnEdwards.com, where interested listeners can submit questions for the likely 2008 presidential candidate. Senator Edwards plans to use the podcast to answer questions and provide an update on his family and projects. Details on the podcast will be announced next week. About Podcasting Podcasts are audio shows that can be automatically downloaded to a computer or digital audio player. There are many software tools for subscribing to podcasts, most of which are free. Podcasting News has a directory of podcasting software, and a tutorial on Getting Started with Podcasts. Posted by jlewin at 12:20 PM | Comments (4) Taiwanese Company Clones iPod Shuffle
According to reports, Apple asked LuxPro to remove its Super Shuffle digital music player from its display case. The Super Shuffle looks strikingly similar to Apple's iPod shuffle. Unlike the shuffle, though, it does not support the AAC format. Instead, the LuxPro clone uses Windows Media format. The Super Shuffle offers specs similar to the iPod shuffle:
The Super Shuffle adds several features not found on the Apple shuffle, including a built-in FM tuner and a voice recorder. Details are available at the LuxPro site. Posted by jlewin at 11:45 AM | Comments (0) Podcasting News Adds Free News Service for Podcast Community
Three Javascript options are provided, providing flexibility for integrating the latest news. For podcasters that want deeper integration, a PHP-based news feed include system is also available at no charge. "Podcasting News features information about the podcasting revolution, from the perspective of the growing community of podcasters," notes Podcasting News' Elle Webb. "Our free syndication options let anybody painlessly add news to their site. This gives visitors information that is more accurate and timely than they are likely to see in the mainstream media." Javascript Feed Options Podcasting News provides three options for Javascript includes: The headline news can be incorporated into a site by adding one line of Javascript to a site's page templates or the HTML of an individual page. The "look" of the unformatted versions can be customized by using Cascading Style Sheets. PHP Option A PHP-based option is available, also. The PHP option offers additional flexibilty to site owners. "This option is for sites that want complete control over how the information is integrated into their layouts," adds Webb. "It's more powerful, but requires PHP support on your site, and a little more work from the site owner." The Podcasting News site has additional information on the Podcasting News syndication options. Posted by jlewin at 11:09 AM | Comments (0) March 14, 2005Blogs Reach Rich, Educated Audience
According to the report, blog readers do not reflect the general population, but represent "opinion makers", a subset of people that tend to set the agenda and steer the opinions of others. According to BlogAds' Henry Copeland, "the blogosphere is crawling with certified grade A opinion makers." Highlights of the Results While blog readers do not represent the general population, they represent an attractive demographic for advertisers. Posted by jlewin at 09:08 AM | Comments (1) March 13, 2005PodLot Intros Unlimited Bandwidth Podcast HostingPodlot.com has introduced podcast hosting that features unlimited bandwidth, and prices based on maximum storage requirements. The service is provided by Houston, Texas based Infostructure Solutions, with prices starting at $4.00/month. Two basic packages are available. The Standard Lot package offers 150 megabytes of storage for $4.00/month. The Double-Wide Lot package offers 300 megabytes for $6.00/month. Podlot is also offering a plan for podcasters that are looking for complete domain hosting, the Special Spot package, for $20/month. It features: * 1000 megabytes of storage Posted by jlewin at 10:39 PM | Comments (0) PodDate - The Future of Singles' Ads?
"Because Ireland is such a small country, I think the concept works if people communicate with each other and follow on by swapping email or phone numbers, they then have the chance to travel to meet the person," says PodDate's Liam Burke. "If this was in America, the site would have to be divided up for different states, so hopefully this will get more people involved and give it a try." How it Works Single people use their mobile phones to record a sound clip and then email it to the PodDate email account. From there, it's converted from AMR format to MP3 and screened for content. PodDate has three feeds set up: one for each sex, and one which gets all the MP3's (so people can see what the competition is like). Subscribers listen to audio messages, at their convenience, on a computer or portable MP3 player. Burke adds "The use of the blog comes in very handy. If people like the sound of a person they can leave a comment and the person can reply back to and start a discussion, or reply back with another recording so the person can listen to the recordings to see if their name is mentioned." For more information, or to hook up with Irish singles with iPods, visit the PodDate site. Posted by jlewin at 09:10 PM | Comments (0) March 12, 2005Apple Wins Trade Secrets Legal Dispute; Loses Web CredA California judge ruled Friday that three independent online reporters may have to divulge their confidential sources, ruling that there is no legal protection for journalists that publish a company's trade secrets. Apple seeks to force three news sites, PowerPage, Apple Insider and Think Secret, to reveal sources of leaked confidential information. The sites published inside information on a proposed Apple Firewire audio interface for GarageBand. The case pits the interests of businesses against those of online journalists and publishers. "What underlies this decision is the publishing of information that at this early stage of the litigation fits squarely within the definition of trade secret," wrote Kleinberg. "The right to keep and maintain proprietary information as such is a right which the California Legislature and courts have long affirmed and which is essential to the future of technology and innovation generally." Apple Winning or Losing? Apple's moves are generating a tremendous outpouring of ill will from bloggers and online publications. India's New Kerala notes that "Apple's lawsuits create ill will." Web Pro News argues that Apple has lost far more than the bloggers. According to WPN's Nick Wilson, "Apple hasn't won a damn thing, but they've lost a great, great deal." "The judge’s tentative decision is wrong," says Information Week's Eric Chabrow. "Strict constructionists, those interpreters of the U.S. Constitution who claim to understand its literal meaning, should join civil libertarians in extending journalistic protections to bloggers. Simply, it’s the process and not the medium that defines a journalist. Coverage in mainstream publications also shows signs of concern over the California ruling. The Washington Post coverage headlines the story with "Web Reporters Denied Shield." CNet notes that "The real subtext is this: Apple is directed by a collection of control freaks who would have found themselves at home in the Nixon White House." Mercury News' Mike Langberg says "The lawsuits pose an imminent threat to Apple's most precious asset: the company's reputation as a hip underdog, a cool alternative to bigger and blander competitors such as Microsoft, Dell and Hewlett-Packard." Posted by jlewin at 05:50 PM | Comments (3) Nintendo President "Podcasts" His Vision for Video Game Industry
Nintendo's next-generation gaming system, code-named Revolution, will let users play each other through high-speed wireless Internet connections. The new platform supports the WiFi standard. Nintendo plans to support WiFi on it's DS portable game device, also. While it's being called a podcast, only a download URL has been provided at this time. The full speech is available for download. Iwata demonstrated several software titles using the new features of the Nintendo DS, including voice recognition, touch-screen control and wireless connectivity. "This is Nintendo’s plan: make our existing game world better," Iwata said. "For us, this is a passion. This is a mission of adventure." Iwata announced that Revolution will feature built-in Wi-Fi protocols, which will allow users around the world to connect with one another wirelessly. Revolution’s technological heart, a processing chip developed with IBM and code-named "Broadway," and a graphics chip set from ATI code-named "Hollywood," are being designed to deliver game experiences not possible to date. "We’re excited to be developing the graphics chip set for Revolution, which continues our longstanding relationship with Nintendo," says Dave Orton, ATI Technologies Inc.’s president and chief executive officer. "As the leading graphics provider, ATI is committed to delivering exceptional visual performance that enables consumers to interact with new and visually compelling digital worlds. ATI is proud to support Nintendo’s innovative contributions to gaming." Nintendo DS Iwata announced that the Wi-Fi protocol for Nintendo DS will provide users with a link to other players across the country or around the world. Once the service begins later this year, Nintendo DS users will be able to connect to the service wirelessly at Wi-Fi hot spots, whether they’re at home, in a hotel or at a coffee shop. As one of several Wi-Fi games, Nintendo’s in-house development team is creating a new Animal Crossing game for global Wi-Fi play. On the keynote stage, Iwata also took part in a spontaneous eight-player wireless contest of Mario Kart DS to demonstrate the local area network capabilities of Nintendo DS. He added that shipments of the DS game system have now surpassed 4 million units to North America and Japan in the 16 weeks since launch. With the system set to debut in thousands of stores across Europe within hours of his address, that number will approach 6 million units shipped by the end of March. The speech featured a live demonstration of two Nintendo DS software titles that Iwata said represented types of entertainment that go beyond the traditionally accepted definitions of "video games." One, Nintendogs, asks owners to nurture and interact with a variety of breeds of digital puppies. Puppy owners can issue voice commands, play games and train their puppies while developing real emotional bonds with them. Nintendogs is set to launch later this year in North America. The second title, Electroplankton, offers an otherworldly array of sights and sounds aimed to soothe or stimulate players with the innovative use of both the touch screen and voice interaction. "This is designed to produce harmony, not adrenaline," Iwata said. Posted by jlewin at 05:27 PM | Comments (0) InternetDJ Podcast-Enables DJ MixesInternetDJ has announced that it has iPod-enabled its member-created DJ mixes. The site lets members podcast their favorite independent underground electronic music tracks. Visitors can use iPodder to download free music from emerging artists from around the the world. iPodder, and other podcast clients, will sync the MyDJmixes music files to a local computer, so iTunes can sync an iPod with the latest files from the mixes. When InternetDJ members update their mixes, the new tracks in their mix playlists will be updated on subscribed clients automatically. Posted by jlewin at 05:10 PM | Comments (0) CommonBits Distributing Alternative Media with BitTorrentCommonBits is a new site, still in beta mode, that is providing a directory and BitTorrent distribution of progressive political media. The site provides a search for audio, video, photos, reports, transcripts and other files. The site is user-built and requests that visitors "Submit content links and files that benefit lefty-political work or just makes us laugh." The site provides content feeds that can be used with blog readers. It's also using BitTorrent to enable activists and political groups to share and exchange large media files. CommonBits lets you upload media files, and they will create and host them as BitTorrents. Posted by jlewin at 04:58 PM | Comments (0) IBM Using iPods to Rescue PCs
At IBM's recent PartnerWorld conference, they demonstrated IBM Rescue & Recovery On Linux, iPod software that was used to save a crashed ThinkPad. The application can rebuild a hard drive in about an hour, and provides instant access to timely data, such as e-mail. "I think it's cool because we are packaging all this functionality into personal devices that people won't find a chore to carry around, and in many cases, already carry around," notes IBM's Amit Singhk. "Moreover, the original purpose of the personal device is unaltered. For example, if it's an MP3 player, it will remain so." The Linux-based technology turns the iPod or other portable device into a tool that supports: Posted by jlewin at 06:10 AM | Comments (0) March 09, 2005Sci Fi Channel Podcasting Battlestar GalacticaSCIFI.COM, the site of the Sci Fi Channel, is offering fans of its new series Battlestar Galactica an unprecedented "podcast." This DVD-style audio commentary from Battlestar executive producer and writer Ronald D. Moore is available for weekly download at SCIFI.COM. The five-week event feeds fans scoops straight from series creator Moore, and gives viewers an insider look into the final five episodes leading up the season conclusion on April 1. Battlestar Galactica is currently the highest-rated series on SCI FI Channel. Moore's downloadable audiocast is available now on SCIFI.COM and is meant to be experienced while simultaneously watching season one's final five episodes. Executive Producer and chief writer of the series, Ronald D. Moore was formerly an executive producer and writer for the HBO series Carnivale. Moore's career also includes an award-winning stretch as a writer/producer on Star Trek franchise shows The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine. Posted by jlewin at 06:21 PM | Comments (1) NASA Show Top Podcast in FebruaryScience@NASA was the most popular podcast in February 2005. The podcast discusses everything from the weather on Saturn to going to the bathroom in space. The NASA podcast led What's on Tonight?, a look at the future of media, and the Firesign Theatre Podcast, a comedy show, to get the top spot. Top 10 Podcasts for February 1. Science@NASA Current Stories About the Podcasting News Top 10 Podcasting News ranks the popularity of podcasts based on the activity of visitors to the site's podcast directory. "The Podcasting News Top 10 is based on the number of requests each podcast in our directory receives, rather than votes or other mechanism," said Podcasting News' Elle Webb. "As a result, it is a good measure of the interest in various podcasts." "The Top 10 is designed to reflect real listener activity, rather than votes or rankings," adds Webb. "Podcasters should focus on creating great podcasts, rather than worry about winning a popularity contest." Webb offered a few suggestions for podcasters wanting to improve their ranking: 1. "Give your podcast an interesting name, so people will be intrigued by it, and be able to remember it. Posted by jlewin at 03:20 AM | Comments (0) March 08, 2005DrizzleCast: New Free Podcast ClientNuParadigm has introduced DrizzleCast, a free podcast client for Windows. NuParadigm DrizzleCast is a podcast client for Windows that uses Microsoft BITS technology to download RSS enclosures using idle bandwith.
The software must be purchased if it is to be used in commercial endeavors, but may be used free-of-charge for other purposes. Posted by jlewin at 06:40 PM | Comments (1) Apple Takes Bloggers to CourtApple is taking three blog publishers to court in a case that may help determine the roles and responsibilities of online journalists. Apple seeks to force three news sites, PowerPage, Apple Insider and Think Secret, to reveal sources of leaked confidential information. The sites published information about an Firewire audio interface for Apple's Garageband music application. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge James Kleinberg has tentatively ruled that Apple can force the publishers to reveal their sources. The publishers are being represented by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. According to EFF, "If Apple's subpoenas to Apple Insider, PowerPage and Think Secret are allowed to proceed, and the Apple news sites EFF is representing are forced to disclose the confidences gained by their reporters, potential confidential sources will be deterred from providing information to the online media, and the public will lose a vital outlet for independent news, analysis, and commentary. We can't let that happen." Dan Gillmor, a well-known on and off-line journalist, notes "It is not the medium, but the nature of the content and the process resulting in that content that are decisive. Both print magazines and online magazines share the essential characteristics of journalism." Posted by jlewin at 08:07 AM | Comments (0) March 06, 2005Shifting Time, Place and Media: Seeing the Wood from the TreesBreakthroo, an innovation/marketing consulting group, has released a report on Broadcast TV and Broadband Video, Collision and Disruption. The report specifically discusses time shifting, place shifting and media shifting technologies. Time Shifting Such a scenario would indicate that DVRs are a further ‘sustaining’ opportunity to existing broadcasters. DVRs engender a – discontinuous – step-change in technology and usage, they may not disrupt service provider incumbency, from which incumbents would need to either fight or take flight (towards more premium customers). DVR features can easily be developed by any software house, since they already exists in open source form. Many providers will attempt to leverage its capabilities, from set top box OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to retail brands, from online VoD providers to start-ups. This rush to diffuse DVRs across market sectors by multiple competing value players will accelerate the commoditisation of basic DVR features. This will force players towards more evolved features, premium customer markets, and modularisation of previously interdependent DVR technology interfaces.
Whether such a solution is in the form of transfers from PC to mobile (or nomadic) device, file download to mobile device or streaming from a web or home server, each variation will benefit users wishing to access their favourite content while away from their homes, be they commuters, travelling business people, travellers or the general public. Place shifting services will have different adoption and usage characteristics to other media services that confer mobility, such as iTunes / iPod, because the latter doesn’t require users total attention; users can listen on an iPod while simultaneously working or playing, whereas consumption of video requires a user’s ears, eyes and passivity. This will likely limit video place shifting to a pattern of nomadic consumption, for instance, when users are buying or killing time, while queuing, waiting for transport, chilling-out in a café, relaxing during work breaks, and so on. A manifestation of nomadic behaviour could be that short – bite size – clips are desirable, rather than longer form movies or TV shows (in which case, it could reflect mobile entertainment usage). Reasons why some place shifting services won’t achieve the radical diffusion of iTunes/iPod: Media Shifting P2P presages an era of user-generated content, which in combination with video blogs and syndication media such as RSS, will enable more mainstream acceptance of de-centralised video, as well as catalyse de-centralised creators/distributors. As eBay extracts profits from a huge volume of tiny transactions, so too could video aggregator services firms find profit in the ‘long tail’. Creators of original video materials, be they amateurs or firms, can take advantage of far lower costs of distribution, with a globally accessible customer base, around which they can find – and be found by – niche customers. The complete report is available as a free download from the Breakthroo site. Posted by jlewin at 09:06 AM | Comments (0) March 05, 2005Grassroots Expands PodcastingGrassroots Enterprise has announced that it has launched a regular podcasting series focusing on grassroots innovation. "With legions of activists choosing to get their news updates via the Internet, and with the explosion of portable media devices, it makes perfect sense to take advantage of these two trends to reach people via this rapidly expanding distribution network," said Michael Panetta, Director of Public Affairs with Grassroots Enterprise. "Innovators such as Adam Curry, Dave Winer, and the hundreds of home-grown podcast creators have shown the impact this medium can have in general, and we look forward to showing its impact on the public affairs front specifically." Grassroots Podcasting Series Launches Grassroots Enterprise also unveiled the first in a regular series of podcasts focusing on grassroots activism and innovation. Co-hosted by Panetta and John Hlinko, the inaugural podcast features an interview with Kevin McCann, founder of "FairDealForNewfoundland.com," one of the most successful online efforts in Canadian history. Future podcasts will feature guests including grassroots activists, issue campaign directors, candidates for public office, and those breaking new ground on the corporate grassroots front as well. Posted by jlewin at 11:11 PM | Comments (0) March 04, 2005Primetime Podcast Receiver Adds New FeaturesPrimetime Podcast Receiver, a Windows podcast client, has been updated. The update adds auto-conversion to AAC format and bookmarking support for iTunes/iPod users, along with integrated podcast archiving. New Neatures: * Automatically convert mp3 downloads to AAC format. For more information, visit the Primetime Podcast site. Posted by jlewin at 01:02 PM | Comments (0) March 03, 2005UndergroundMedia Releases Podcasting Search Plugins for FirefoxUndergroundMedia has given Internet Explorer users one more reason to consider switching to Firefox: podcast search plug-ins! The free Firefox web browser offers many benefits over Internet Explorer. It's available on all major platforms, including Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It's independent from your operating system, unlike Internet Explorer, which means that browser bugs are much less likely to allow hackers to compromise your system. It also has many features, such as tabbed browsing, RSS support, and extensions, that IE doesn't offer. For podcasters that still haven't made the switch to Firefox, though, UndergroundMedia's search plugins offer a new temptation. "Thanks to Jascha Dub over at UndergroundMedia, Podcasting News and Podcast Alley are now right up there with Yahoo, Amazon & eBay," notes Podcasting News' Elle Webb. "At least....when it comes to searching in FireFox!" The plugins are free and easy-to-install. Installation: Visit UndergroundMedia.org Firefox plugins page. Click on the Podcasting News link and a confirmation window will pop up:
This adds a search option for Podcasting News:
A search plugin for Podcast Alley is provided also. UndergroundMedia.org is an outlet for information to help empower the average person to take an active role in media. Posted by jlewin at 11:23 PM | Comments (0) Voiceover Services for PodcastsRon Harper, an established voice talent, has announced that he is offering special rates specifically for podcast voiceover services. “I’m astounded at how podcasting has taken off in such a short period of time,” Harper said, “For those who want to ‘dress up’ their shows, I’ll record and produce up to five image pieces for $30.00.” Broadcast stations normally pay four or five times that amount for intros and sweepers. Harper has produced radio and television commercials for clients around the world. He also writes and produces the syndicated feature BeatleBreak, which is heard on stations around the U.S. More information is available at the Ron Harper website. Posted by jlewin at 05:59 PM | Comments (2) IAS Intros iPodcast ProducerIndustrial Audio Software has announced the introduction of iPodcast Producer, an integrated software package combining recording, editing, RSS feed creation, and FTP uploading.
iPodcast Producer will record, edit, create RSS tags and upload podcasts within one interface. Features: * Easy to use all-in-one tool for podcasters System Requirements iPodcast Producer requires a PC running Windows 2000 or Windows XP with a working Soundblaster compatible sound card and speakers/headphones. A CD drive is required for CD features; a CD recorder (CD-R or CD-RW) is required for CD recording. Internet connection for uploading of podcast, ordering, and support. More information is available at the Industrial Audio Software site. Posted by jlewin at 05:43 PM | Comments (0) March 02, 2005Magnatune: Podcasting Great Way to Expose Music
"Podcasting allows anyone to become a radio broadcaster, thus increasing diversity and customer choice," notes Buckman. "The other advantage of podcasting is that it is a great way for a open-music oriented record label, like Magnatune, to gain exposure for its artists." Magnatune has emerged as a leading open music record label. It licenses hundreds of albums with a Creative Commons license, and it lets you listen to them online. According to Buckman, using CC licensed tracks offers many benefits for podcasters. "A non-commercial podcast can be built from CC licensed music without asking anyone for permission, without lawyers getting involved, without breaking the law. Since the musician's goal is to be heard, to gain an audience, and eventually find buyers for their music, the CC license is a great, free, low-effort way to achieve those goals." Interview: Magnatune Embraces Podcasting Posted by jlewin at 01:46 AM | Comments (1) March 01, 2005Sony Intros Walkman Phone
”We looked carefully at what people want from a mobile digital music player and have designed a product that fits the bill,” says Rikko Sakaguchi, Senior Vice President, Product and Application Planning of Sony Ericsson. “The W800 has great sound quality, is easy to use, has superb battery life and can store a large amount of music. It’s an attractive, desirable device that combines high quality phone, camera, music and games player.” The Sony Ericsson W800 is the first product to combine a mobile phone, a high quality digital music player with up to 30 hours’ battery life, and a 2 Megapixel camera. The W800 is supplied with quality stereo headphones and it is compatible with the MP3 and AAC music file formats. The supplied .5GB Memory Stick Duo provides capacity for around 150 music tracks, or 10-12 full length CDs. The supplied Disk2Phone software enables quick transfer of music CD’s onto the phone via a PC. The software makes it easy to browse, sort, find, transfer and delete music files. The music player is operated with just one Direct Music button that plays, pauses and stops tracks, and player and phone can be used independently of each other, so users can switch the phone off for a plane journey while still enjoying the music player. The W800’s battery will play for 15 hours’ if the phone is switched on, or up to 30 hours if it isn’t. The W800 also offers a 2 Megapixel camera complete with autofocus, picture light, active lens cover and digital still camera interface. The W800 will come in the following variants: W800i Triple Band 900/1800/1900 MHz Posted by jlewin at 08:26 PM | Comments (2) You Subscribe: RSS Adds Podcast Support
New features: * Add and manage feeds and subscriptions with an Enhanced Internet Explorer Toolbar. The new toolbar displays news feed headlines in a pull-down menu. Headlines can be marked read, deleted or flagged. Every action performed using the IE toolbar is immediately synchronized in Outlook. You Subscribe: RSS uses an software engine that works in the background to gather, process, organize and store RSS feeds whether Outlook is online, offline or completely closed. With background processing, news feeds are instantly pulled into Outlook. The engine keeps track of RSS subscription preferences and data and keeps RSS accounts synchronized and up to date. Preview users can stay up to date with new features through an RSS news feed from You Software. You Software is planning to release You Subscribe: RSS 1.0 in the second quarter of 2005. Pricing has not been finalized. You can download You Subscribe: RSS 0.83 by visiting http://www.yousoftware.com/subscribe. Posted by jlewin at 07:31 PM | Comments (2) |
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Copyright 2004-5 Podcasting News
Podcast News has announced that it is offering podcasters and podcast listeners a unique opportunity to win an iPod shuffle.
Corante has announced plans for Podcast Hotel, a podcasting event that will transform a hotel in Portland, Oregon, into a podcast and videoblog studio.
Kamen Entertainment Group has launched Marina's Podcast, offering free fitness programs by fitness motivator and recording artist Marina.
Fiction author Scott Sigler today released EarthCore as the world's first "podcast-only" novel. EarthCore is the first "podcast novel" because it is not available in any other format. Listeners can't buy the book and peek at the last page, they have to wait each week for a new episode.
The One America Committee site has announced the first podcast from John Edwards. The podcast is the first from a major political figure, and makes Edwards one of the prominent public figures podcasting. 
PodGuides.net is a new site that offers free PodGuides, spoken audio tour guides, that you can listen to on a portable MP3 player. 
Using an iPod or any portable MP3 player, you can explore the Universe from anywhere, with the Science@NASA podcast.
The iPodder Lemon team has released iPodder Version 2.0. The application has evolved from its basic beginnings as the world's first podcasting software to a mature, fully featured application. 
Top of the "Who Will Apple Sue Next?" list has to be LuxPro Corporation, a Taiwanese manufacture that introduced a clone of the iPod shuffle at CeBIT.
Podcasting News, a leading source of information from the podcast community, has introduced several free options that make it easy for podcasters to feature current podcasting news on their sites.
BlogAds has published the results of the firm's second study of blog readership. The study has few surprises, but instead builds on the results of last year's study. 
PodDate is a new Irish dating site which delivers personal singles' audio ads via podcasts. By combining cell phones with podcasts, PodDate is using state-of-the-art tools to help geographically dispersed singles meet. 
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata outlined his vision for the future of the video game industry at this week's Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco. Iwata's announcements are being made available as a downloadable audio file. 
In case podcasting isn't innovative enough for you, the gurus at IBM Research are using iPods to combat the "Blue Screen of Death" on PCs. 
In a recent 
Sony Ericsson announced its entry into the mobile music market with the W800, the first Walkman branded mobile phone. The W800 lets users listen to music, handle phone calls and take pictures and video, all with one device. 
You Software has released an update to You Subscribe: RSS, an RSS aggregator that brings up-to-the-minute news from Websites and blogs directly into Microsoft Outlook. The update adds features that make it easy to add and manage subscriptions, search for feeds, and easily access enclosures and attachments, including audio files used for Podcasts.