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Recasting the Concept of Podcasting
The Diffusion Group, which employs a friend of mine, has launched a short article on Designtechnica entitled "Recasting the Concept of Podcasting." It's getting some buzz, specifically for a figure that's quoted:
"80% of podcast downloads never make it to a portable player or another device"
That statistic, from a recent survey by Bridge Data, confirms a suspicion that I've had for a while. In my personal experience, I listen to most of my podcasts on a computer. Why? Because I spend more time with my computer than any other electronic device (including the TV). And I'm not alone.
Now, the central idea of the article is that podcasting's definition, which has a specific connection to personal audio devices, is wrong. I agree with that. I cringe every time I hear a news report or read an article about podcasting that defines it in this manner.
But change the term? I'm not so sure. In fact, check out the Wikipedia entry on podcasting. In it, you'll see that not everyone refers to the "pod" in "podcasting" as an iPod reference. I'm partial to "pod" standing for "personal on-demand." In the meantime, Apple's not complaining.
Posted on March 24, 2006 | Permalink
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Comments
Are you familiar with the term "backronym?" That's exactly what "Personal On-Demand" for the "Pod" in "Podcasting" is. It was coined relatively recently by Creative. Like it or not, if there had never been an iPod, there never would have been Podcasts. If they weren't named after iPods, they'd be called something different! More here: http://www.37signals.com/svn/archives2/creative_tries_to_redefine_podcast.php
Posted by: Evan | Mar 24, 2006 3:42:13 PM
In fact, Creative calling their broadcasts "Zencasts" gives more credence and weight to the iPod! On your Creative Zen (I don't have one of those, do you? Didn't think so), you listen to Zencasts, but on your iPod, which I know for a fact we both have, you listen to podcasts. In fact, as you now realize, you can listen to Podcasts anywhere - including your PC (through Apple's iTunes, I assume ;)
Posted by: Evan | Mar 24, 2006 3:48:42 PM
Not that it matters, but I have a Zen, and I love it.
Posted by: von | Mar 25, 2006 12:12:19 AM
True, the "pod" in podcasting would not have come about without iPod, but it IS an unfortunate moniker in many ways (although Apple doesn't mind).
I like to think of it as meaning "personal on demand", backronym or not, just because it truly represents what podcasting is about--control and convenience for the listener.
Posted by: Jason | Mar 25, 2006 11:57:06 AM
