Audio

Do you listen to podcasts?

podcast.gifOver on my LinkedIn network, an interesting question was posed: How often do you listen to podcasts? The author limited his query to non-work-related and non-NPR content. Here’s my response:

I rarely listen to podcasts. So interesting followup questions might be: Where/when/how do people listen? I find I can’t concentrate on a podcast while working on my computer and I don’t listen through my iPod or TV when relaxing.

Generally speaking, I’m more visually oriented and prefer reading or watching video over a purely audio broadcast. If I still regularly commuted (via subway), I might listen to podcasts more frequently. Though I’d just as likely watch some DVRed video clip on my mobile instead.

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iTunes Plus… Email

As promised, iTunes and EMI (partially) delivered on their promise of releasing DRM-free music. However, the initial batch of tracks doesn’t include anything in my collection. The bigger news with the new service seems to be iTunes Plus embedding personally identifiable info, such as name and email, into every file. I don’t have a problem … Read more

Bandwagon iTunes Backup Utility

UNEASYsilence has the scoop on the updated Mac Bandwagon iTunes backup utility. Unlike general file archive widgets like Mozy, Bandwagon is designed specifically for iTunes – including backing up media from multiple computers, syncing multiple computers, and obviously providing iTunes restore. Bandwagon is unique in that you can choose your storage location such as Amazon … Read more

CBS Acquires Last.fm

If you scroll down TechMeme today past all the news about Microsoft’s surface computing concept (way cool), you’ll land on several articles about CBS’s acquisition of Last.fm. I have a very selfish reason for finding this interesting. If Last.fm warrants a buy-out by CBS (to to the tune of $280M), maybe that means Pandora will … Read more

What’s Up with Radio?

The argument I hear about television is that we’ll never move completely to a pay-per-program model because the vast majority of people like being able to sit mindlessly in front of a TV screen and channel surf. I agree because that theory has already so clearly played out in the radio world. As popular as … Read more

Pandora Goes Mobile

While I had been hoping for an agnostic solution, Pandora’s first portable offering (!) is on Sprint. A Power Vision plan plus $2.99/mo gets you mobile access and a web account upgrade (as in no ads). The downloadable J2ME app is currently only available on five phones, including the Samsung A900 (aka “Blade”). Support is … Read more

Meta-Blogging: Dave Visits Verizon

Last week I journeyed into town and lunched with Verizon’s PolicyBlog founder and editor, John Czwartacki. We engaged in some interesting industry and blogosphere discussion. I was also reminded that I don’t miss the old-school DC dress code. Strangely, the PR group was sending out a release of top ten VCast Bee Gees downloads timed … Read more

Pandora Wants To Be Portable

The last time I quizzed my contact at Pandora on making their service portable, I commuted two hours a day and worked out of an office. With a new work-from-home lifestyle, my desire for portable Pandora has diminished… However, I still think this is a great avenue for them to explore (even being geographically challenged). … Read more