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Mobile Computing: Portable Podcasts

James A. Martin

Feature: Podcasts for On-the-Go Entertainment

By now, you've probably heard about podcasts, those downloadable MP3 files that are part radio program, part blog. But have you listened to any yet? If not, you're missing out on the dawn of a whole new medium--one that is particularly ideal for mobile professionals.

Many gadget-toting travelers listen to books on their digital audio players, or carry around their portable satellite radios. But podcasts are another thing entirely. First of all, podcasts are usually free. And they can be downloaded to your Apple IPod or other MP3 player for listening anytime. Podcasts can be extremely short (under 2 minutes), highly informative, thought provoking, and vastly entertaining.

On one hand, there are podcasts available on nearly every conceivable topic--sports, politics, news, the arts, health, lifestyle, sex--with more than a few available for, uh, specialized interests, such as "Bubba Bohack's Joke of the Day." On the other hand, some of the amateur podcasts I've heard are pointless at best, excruciatingly self-indulgent at worst. But either way, you've now got another option for entertainment on that next cross-country flight or long commuter train ride. And as I said, podcasts are usually free, people. What's not to love?

Here are some podcasts I've enjoyed, all of which are available for downloading from Apple's ITunes:

  • Ebert and Roeper. This is an audio version of the Chicago film critics' weekly TV program. I never seem to find time to watch their program--even though I have a TiVo season pass, for crying out loud. Instead, I subscribe to their podcast and listen to the two film critics argue while I jog. Best of all, as with most podcasts, there are no commercials (at least for now).
  • CNN News Update. A quick blast of the latest headlines, delivered in under 2 minutes and updated hourly.
  • NPR: Books. National Public Radio's entertaining podcast compiles recent author interviews and book reviews.
  • NPR: All Songs Considered. Download this podcast for a quick update on the current music scene. Also worthwhile are NPR: Story of the Day, NPR: Roundtable, and NPR: Technology.
  • This Week in Tech. Also known as TWiT, this free-wheeling, sometimes rambling, geekfest covers new technology, trends, and other topics of interest to tech fans. It's consistently one of the most popular podcasts on ITunes.
  • FrenchPodClass. A charming guide to French vocabulary, grammar, and culture. It's probably not the most efficient way to learn French; but it's free, and it's fun.

Apple ITunes is but one option; here are some others:

For more on podcasting, read Dan Tynan's "Singing the Blog Electric: Podcast Your Way to Stardom" and Steve Bass's "Podcasts and Screencasts."

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