Michael Singer's article on the iPod Shuffle demonstrates the bias that a handful of programmers would like to present. The article Apple's iPod Shuffle Stifles Podcasting quotes pundit Doc Searls, co-author of the Cluetrain Manifesto, citing problems moving around inside a podcast. His take is that it is a problem on the regular iPod and instead of fixing the problem Apple eliminated the functionality.
Hopefully the people have tried to set the record straight about the incorrect stories in the tech press, will not ignore this issue because they are on the other side. Here is a bit of the reality for those who stop by. Many are a reprise from my earlier article on what Podcatchers (podcast listeners) want.
- Shorter podcasts are not a bad thing - usually they are in fact better
- Navigating the original iPod interface is not that difficult
- Podcasts that drone on and don't say much won't continue to keep users
- A series of short podcasts, mixed with a listener's choice in music, are superb companions for a walk
Finally it would be wise for the podcasting crowd to understand Apple has spent a whole bunch of cold hard dollars on market research. It is pretty short sighted to continue to believe you and your buddies have it right when many are telling Apple, both in research and in purchases, they have it right.
