The audio file sharing popularity began with the PTP networks like Napster. The centralized portal where people can find and share their files caused the initial explosion of digital audio files. Most files were music that had been recorded and distributed on CD and then copied and shared. The interesting thing of the podcasting is that new files are being created for the distribution through the web, saved and shared through portable media players. It is no longer a copy of something that existed for other purposes.

From what I have seen/heard the podcasts don’t veer to far away from what we now hear on radio. I did notice that the ability to control playback was an added benefit. Some of the how-to files could be paused if you needed to prepare something or rewind to hear something that may not have been clear. Still there are several layers to be added that will make the experience richer. I think that Apple’s release of the video capable iPod will enable the ability to add a visual complement to the audio broadcast (something essential in this medium). As non-radio podcasters enter the arena and people no longer follow that model, there will be a interesting media created that we have yet been able to conceptualize.

The big drawback I see in the direction is, not in the technology but the company driving the development, Apple. They are creating a proprietary format and they control the largest, most popular libraries of content. This has never been a good direction for a networked technology and as devices become cheaper to produce and better methodology for clearing the rights to content is created, Apple will run into problems with their business model. I think they cannot see the forest past the fruit.

Originally for:

November 1, 2005

MD23: Theories of Electronic Communications II
Sean Carton