iPhone software gets 2.2 update

November 21, 2008

Apple rolled out an upgrade to iPhone software today. Version 2.2 includes some great new features like the ability to access public transit maps on the phone.

The update brings a welcome change, the ability to download podcasts directly to the phone. Unfortunately while this functionality is welcome it is also incomplete. The downloaded episodes are added to the iPod but there is no way to subscribe to a podcast from the phone.

Apple has previously denied applications for podcatcher applications based on this now-released functionality being forthcoming. At the time speculation centered on the likely restriction of Apple's app to WiFi only and not the cellular network. That, however, proved to not be a limitation with today's release. Read more about iPhone software gets 2.2 update

Prevent iPod Podcast updates

July 13, 2006

So I have a setup I like well for keeping the iPod up to date. I don't carry much music on the laptop because I have too little disk space and usually carry the iPod with the laptop so I already have all the music. But when on the road I sometimes want to charge the iPod from the laptop. The problem is that with the iPod set to auto-update the podcasts on the iPod are wiped out.

So the problem is how to charge the iPod from the laptop without having the podcasts stored there wiped out? By launching iPod Updater before plugging in the iPod iTunes is never told that an iPod is attached. The iPod charges and the podcasts are left alone.

Podcasting plunge

May 28, 2006

After months and months of talking about it with friends and thinking I should get around to it, I've finally bitten the bullet and taking the podcasting plunge. The first two Boys' State Podcasts are online. A little rough around the edges to be sure but in the school of jumping in with both feet they are online.

A quick (very quick) survey of Google suggests Nevada Boys' State might be the first Boys' State program in the country to be podcasting. The delegates to this year's program will be participating in the podcasting experiment as well, producing new content each day to share with those back home and the world at large.

Unsubscribe

August 23, 2005

A few months back I wrote about a few podcasts I still listened to. One was Career Opportunities. Until today that is. The show is great and they are short, but when the short 4-5 minute twice-weekly podcast started putting a commercial in the middle I quickly had to find the fast-forward button. Funny thing is I'd listened to bunches of commercials in the podcast at the start and end of the show without complaint. Now that I have to reach for a remote to get through a short podcast it looses its value.

One unfortunate example of indy podcasts trying to do the big media game. If that's what we wanted we'd tune in to big media.