Podcasts have become more mainstream over the last few years. Whether you want some random entertainment, to learn a new skill, keep up with breaking news or even if you are trying to stay up-to-date on what’s new in your chosen career, there is a podcast to help.
First things first, where did the name podcast originate? It is a combination of the name of the player where you could first listen to them, the Apple iPod, and the term “broadcast.” With the merging of those two words, we gained a group of new names, including podcaster and podcasting.
Next, what exactly IS a podcast? It is an audio or video file that you can listen to or view online using your computer, or download to your phone, tablet or another device to consume when it is most convenient for you. They are an alternative to traditional radio and television shows allowing you to enjoy them where and when it is most convenient for you. Find a few shows you are interested in, and you can take them with you while you workout, or during your commute to and from work, while you work in your yard or around your house or virtually anytime you can listen or watch them.
You can download the various podcasts from each of their websites, but that can become so time-consuming that you give up on podcasts altogether. It is much easier for you to use a podcasting application (commonly referred to as a podcatcher), which should allow you to do two things: search and find podcast titles you are interested in, along with that, the program should make it easy to keep track of your shows.
Whether you are using a smartphone or a tablet (either Android or Apple iOS), there are several different applications from which to choose. With prices ranging anywhere from free to a one-time charge of just a few dollars, with some having a monthly fee, you can find one that fits your tastes and budget. Many of the programs will have both an android and iOS options, so even if you use both types of devices you can use the same software, no matter which one is currently at your disposal.
Apple has its own podcasts app baked right into its devices. Using iTunes, you can subscribe to a podcast, copy it to your device of choice, and it will automatically update and remove itself once you have finished it. Unfortunately, many people complain that the interface of the app is confusing to navigate, which, in turn, makes the creation of playlists and deleting old episodes a bit of a hassle. The program is always undergoing changes and updates so that these issues could become negated in the future.
Google has an application called Google Play Music that, similar to iTunes, is built into and part of the core functionality of most Android devices, allowing you to search for other podcasts based on the shows you are already enjoying. You can search for podcasts by either a title or subject and add it to your subscriptions. Again, this application doesn’t always get the best of reviews from users, but everyone has different criteria for the chosen app, so be sure to at least check it out.
After you consider the default podcast application built into your device, your choices become numerous. Various options are Castbox, Pocket Casts, Stitcher Radio and too many more to mention. No matter which application you choose, you should easily be able to keep track of your podcasts, retrieve new episodes automatically, remove shows as you complete them and combine your different shows into a variety of playlists that give you the opportunity to listen or watch the shows most appropriate for your current environment. If you are driving, you should be able to make a list of shows that are audio only. When working out, you can have another playlist of just video shows that you can watch. Further, the application should keep track of where you are in an episode, allowing you to stop listening when you need to and resume right from that point when you are again able.
Another feature you may want to be sure is available would be the ability to also watch or listen to your shows from a web player. Visit the application’s website, and it should also keep tabs on your various shows. Ideally, you should be able to listen to your shows on your commute to work. If your job allows it, you can then bring up the website and continue where you left off. At the end of your day, you hop back into your car, and your device knows the EXACT moment of the show and which episode you are currently at and resume playing from that spot.
Give podcasts a shot; I think you will find it a great way to do all of the tasks I mentioned at the beginning of this article. Try a few different programs out, don’t be afraid to switch to another application if the one you are currently using is lacking a particular feature. If there is something, you wish it would do that it fails to, then I highly recommend doing some research online for features available in other programs. I’m sure you will find one that fits all your requirements, and if you have any trouble or have questions about getting started with podcasts, be sure to email me your questions: info@tekcw.com. QCBN
By Greg Hicks
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