Is it still a podcast on your desktop machine?
A survey by Bridge Data, cited by TDG Research, claims the relevance of portability to podcast usage has been overstated. They say more than 80% of podcast downloads don’t make it to a portable player. Instead, people are listening to podcasts on their desktop machines.
So, is it still a podcast? In a word, yes.
What makes a podcast a podcast? To me, a downloadable audio file that one can subscribe to is a podcast. Whether it’s consumed on an iPod, an iRiver, a spanking new Windows box or aging Mac is irrelevant. The user is still controlling when he or she plays the file.
It’s interesting that I saw this item today, because as I was listening to a podcast at the gym this morning, I thought about how rarely I play podcasts in my office. Personally, I need a time of day when my mind is otherwise “free” to tune into a cast. When I fire up iTunes on my Mac and rev up the sound, I invariably find my attention wandering to email and the pile of files on my desk. At the gym, on the other hand, there’s nothing to distract me visually. Believe me, I don’t WANT to look at the spandex-clad marathoner sweating on the treadmill or the freakishly muscled guy curling his biceps. And I’m not interested in the twittering on CNN either, despite the gym’s plethora of TVs. I’d much rather stare out the window and really focus on the content of the podcast.
How about you? Do you prefer listening to podcasts on a portable MP3 player or on a desktop computer? If you use a portable device, what else are you doing while you listen?
Hat tip to Steve Rubel
With an hour commute each way I'm driving and blasting podcasts. I regularly listen to 27 different podcasts. I have a 40 gig iPod and it's half full, half of those are podcasts. I wouldn't be able to listen to marketing/PR podcasts on my PC at work because it would be too distracting.
Posted by: Tac | March 24, 2006 at 05:57 PM
I "prefer" to listen however I want to. You illustrate what really makes podcasting what it is...control & convenience. We can listen how, when and where we want to.
You listen at the gym. I usually listen while I jog, walk, do the dishes/cleaning or ride the subway. Maybe 25% of the time I listen at my computer.
Jason
Posted by: Jason | March 25, 2006 at 10:59 AM
Tac, I'm with you -- can't listen to marketing/PR stuff while I'm working. Maybe we are not true multi-taskers, if there really is such an animal! Thanks for your comment.
Posted by: Donna Papacosta | March 25, 2006 at 03:18 PM
Jason, thanks for the comment.
YES -- control and convenience are the main benefits of podcasts to the listener. You have reminded me that I do sometimes listen while doing stuff in the kitchen or even cleaning the bathroom. Makes the mindless chores go faster!
Posted by: Donna Papacosta | March 25, 2006 at 03:19 PM
iPod all the way. I have a 1 gig nano for my podcasts and a 40 gig for my music. Have you checked out the Podpress app http://www.mightyseek.com/podpress/ for Wordpress? I realize you have typepad running, but there must be something similar.
Posted by: David Jones | March 27, 2006 at 02:51 PM