Podium software released

Via Podcasting News : RM Education has annouced educational podcasting software, Podium. Podium is designed to simplify the process of creating enhanced podcasts in a classroom environment.

SoundTech Podcasting Kit

Via Podcasting News : creating your first podcast just came one step closer with the release of SoundTech's Podcasting Kit, which contains a microphone, cable and appropriate software. Simple stuff maybe, but it's great to see.

EFF : Line Noise podcast

Just came across the latest podcast from the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation), which takes a look at just a few of the gadgets on show at this year's CES. Definitely one to add to the subscription list.

Maccast podcaster meetup (part 1)

This is a recording of a very interesting roundtable discussion held at San Francisco's largest Apple Store at the beginning of this year's Macworld. Great stuff.

Skullcandy MacGyver MP3 Watch

Want to get your podcast fix even when you've left your shuffle clipped to your other jacket? With up to 1gb just waiting for your favourite audio treats, the Skullcandy MacGyver MP3 Watch may be just what you're after.

Comply Whoomp Earbud Enhancers

About to upgrade your iPod's headphones? Consider the Comply Whoomp Earbud Enhancers. At a little under $20 for a pack of four, these may well be cheaper than those new earbuds you've been eyeing.

7 ways to increase the number of subscribers to your podcast

There are a number of things you can do to increase the number of subscribers to your podcast. Here are just a few of them.

1. Create a dedicated blog, and use the existing methods to market it (take a look at 7 ways to market your blog for suggestions).

2. Add it to iTunes, in the directory where your #1 rival lives. For more information on submitting your podcast to iTunes take a look at Apple's required specs.

3. Cater to dialup users. Whilst you may have a high speed internet connection, many of your potential subscribers are still using dialup. Consider offering low-bitrate or audio-only versions of your podcast.

4. Use theme music. I usually listen to podcasts on an iPod shuffle (to give my eyes a bit of a break), and I suspect I'm not the only one. Starting the podcast with an easily identifiable musical theme is a quick way of ensuring that your listeners have the right podcast playing, the volume is OK and that they can sit back and relax.

5. Keep an eye on your stats, and use them. Using a service such as Feedburner is a great way to help stay on top of things. If the majority of your listeners are downloading your podcasts at a particular time, are grabbing one episode more than the others, are on dialup etc; cater to them.

6. Deliver regularly. By putting your podcast online at the same time each day/week/month you'll encourage people to look for it at that time. There are several ways of doing this automatically (once the podcast itself has been created), so there's no excuse for missing a deadline simply because you're on the road somewhere.

7. Cross promote. Make use of other blogs and podcasts to mention your own. If you have several blogs or podcasts yourself, use them to help each other.

Time Magazine Top 10 Podcasts

From Time Magazine, the top 10 podcasts of 2006 :

1. This American Life
2. The Show with Zefrank
3. BBC | From our Own Correspondent
4. Scientific American 60 Second Science
5. Cool Hunting Video
6. Slate Magazine Daily
7. WFUV's Take Five
8. WSJ's Your Money Matters
9. TWiT (This Week in Tech)
10. Learn Mandarin Chinese

20 tools for your iPod

Got a new iPod for Christmas? Try out some of these.

Record Labels Soften Stance On Podcasting

Via WebProNews :

It seems that the larger record labels have been anti-podcasting from the start. After all, it's a bit difficult to control music when it can be easily chopped out of an unprotected audio file.

Times, however, are finally changing. Sony BMG - demonstrating a level of common-sense not often associated with record labels - is teaming up with Ford and Chrysler for a year-long license of music for their podcast distribution. Not exactly small players, but it's a start.

Mainstream media on a downhill run?

Podshow's Adam Curry has stated that the video of Saddam Hussein's execution - which was posted in numerous places on the internet within 24 hours - is both a highlight for the web, and a 'jump the shark' one for the mainstream media.

I must admit, he does have a point.