Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Applications
    • Applications

    Podcasting: Is It Just Noise?

    Written by

    David Coursey
    Published October 12, 2004
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      The newest thing in the RSS universe is something called “Podcasting,” which is, when you think about it, just what it sounds like: distributing audio programming to peoples iPods (and other devices) for on-demand playback.

      At one level, this is blogging for people with even larger egos, folks who think they need to be heard as well as read. On another level, RSS feeds are a good way for commercial audio producers to make their programming widely available via automated downloads for offline listening.

      For example, XM Radio has a new program featuring former NPR host Bob Edwards. But its on at inconvenient times for me to listen. Wouldnt it be great to have the program automatically loaded onto a portable player each day?

      This functionality is already possible for customers of the Audible service, which offers its audio book customers paid subscriptions to NPR and other radio programs. Audible provides desktop client software capable of automatically downloading content from the companys servers and loading it onto customers portable devices. The software also offers optional automated disk space management capabilities that store only the most current edition of specific programs on the portable.

      While Audible is clearly a “pay for play” content provider, Podcasting opens the door to a much larger universe of content offerings, available from the producers own servers. Podcasting seems particularly well-suited to free content downloads, and I look forward to a day in the near future when I might subscribe to my favorite BBC programming rather than being forced to listen to it live over the air or on the Internet.

      Speaking of over-the-air broadcasting, Podcasting could also compete with devices like Pogo! Products “Radio Your Way,” a small AM/FM receiver with a built-in MP3 recorder and a USB connection for connecting to a PC. Best described as “TiVo for radio,” the device automates off-the-air recording and allows playback either on the device or a PC. Griffin Technologies offers a similar, though non-portable, product for Mac users called the Radio Shark.

      Next page: The downsides.

      Page 2

      While Podcasting isnt entirely new, it does have the potential to make audio downloads much easier for both the provider and listener. But its not without potentially significant downsides.

      Its not clear, for example, what the bandwidth implications of Podcasting will be, although I suspect the much larger file sizes (when compared with RSS text message feeds) will cause some significant headaches.

      Another downside is that Podcasting could encourage or improve the distribution of anti-American and other hate programming commonly distributed on audiocassettes. This was a major communications tool for both the Iranian revolution and our home-grown Neo-Nazis and other extremists.

      Its not that this programming isnt already being distributed; its just that RSS audio distribution has the potential to make the process much easier and, hence, more effective. Thats not a reason to try to stop the technology, as if that were possible; its just something to be aware of.

      For more insights from David Coursey, check out his Weblog.

      For corporations, Podcasting and audio RSS feeds offer a potential new method of communicating with customers and employees. Again, its not that it hasnt been possible to create and distribute audio programming; its just that RSS could make distribution easier and the content more attractive to potential listeners.

      After Podcasting its only a hop, skip and a jump to video RSS feeds, targeting the portable video players Microsoft and others are promoting. But if audio RSS feeds are bandwidth hogs, video could make the problems dramatically worse.

      Some people think Podcasting is really silly, and if you limit your imagination to audio versions of peoples egomaniacal blogs, that seems perfectly reasonable. But if you look at is as a better distribution tool for commercial content, it becomes really interesting.

      Check out eWEEK.coms Messaging & Collaboration Center for more on IM and other collaboration technologies.

      Be sure to add our eWEEK.com messaging and collaboration news feed to your RSS newsreader or My Yahoo page

      David Coursey
      David Coursey
      One of technology's most recognized bylines, David Coursey is Special Correspondent for eWeek.com, where he writes a daily Blog (blog.ziffdavis.com/coursey) and twice-weekly column. He is also Editor/Publisher of the Technology Insights newsletter and President of DCC, Inc., a professional services and consulting firm.Former Executive Editor of ZDNet AnchorDesk, Coursey has also been Executive Producer of a number of industry conferences, including DEMO, Showcase, and Digital Living Room. Coursey's columns have been quoted by both Bill Gates and Steve Jobs and he has appeared on ABC News Nightline, CNN, CBS News, and other broadcasts as an expert on computing and the Internet. He has also written for InfoWorld, USA Today, PC World, Computerworld, and a number of other publications. His Web site is www.coursey.com.

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×