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An Open Letter to Apple: Podcasts in the Wi-Fi Store, Please!

financialaidpodcast.com — I have one request: please add podcasting support to the iTunes Wi-Fi Store, as you ’ve done in the main iTunes Store. As you know, podcasts are a great way to extend the power and usefulness of an iPod, and a great way to upsell buyers to larger hard drives, particularly video podcasts.

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  • itchytooth, on 11/12/2007, -3/+49Word.
    • RandomGuySteve, on 11/12/2007, -18/+1Speaking of Word, I hate the word "Podcast".
      Its sole purpose is to take an already established word (recording) and "Apple" it up. It screams "turtlenecked douche".
      Carry on.
      • chad78, on 11/12/2007, -1/+14Thanks for dropping by, Mr. Gates. Can I have some money?
      • luchid, on 11/12/2007, -2/+8Awwww... Aren't you so full of resentment and anger...
        • RandomGuySteve, on 11/12/2007, -7/+0No resentment or Anger. Just disgust at the herd.
          • Aupajo, on 11/12/2007, -1/+3Yeah man, fight the herd!!! Yeah, that's right! We gonna take the fight to the herd! Yeah... the herd... Anybody got any pot?
      • ialan2, on 11/05/2007, -0/+2So what about "Firewire" then?
        Or do you prefer the term "IEEE 1394"?
    • SlpingInsomniac, on 11/12/2007, -2/+8Sentence.
    • ookxtreme, on 11/12/2007, -1/+3How about some bluetooth stereo headphones!!!
    • LeeSoong, on 11/12/2007, -1/+1paragraph
    • toetagger, on 11/06/2007, -1/+1Just subscribe to T-Mobile Hot Spot.
  • z80gamecoder, on 11/12/2007, -2/+12Spiffing idea! Bravo.
    • tomwhughes, on 11/12/2007, -1/+7thumbs up for use of spiffing!
      top shot old fellow!
    • mightymouse, on 11/12/2007, -6/+1top. shot. old. fellow...? wow.
    • bigsteve, on 11/12/2007, -1/+3Capitol! (and who codes for Zilog chips anymore? ;)
  • wtsteamer, on 11/12/2007, -4/+6Oh yeh.
  • Lifespring, on 11/06/2007, -4/+53I was so completely surprised that podcasts were not originally included in the wi-fi iTunes store to begin with. C'mon Apple. Get with it!
    • psilanthropist, on 11/12/2007, -3/+3why don't you get with it ?

      just install the mobilecast (or some name like that) app form the installer.app repos and you can have all the iphone podcasting you want.
      • markosl, on 11/12/2007, -4/+1You don't even have to install anything, just use safari to stream the podcasts you want. You can even bookmark all of your favorite podcasts and put them in folders. You just have to use the regular RSS feed NOT the one formated for itunes. It works for both video and audio podcasts.
    • agarfield2004, on 11/12/2007, -1/+1Heck, I was surprised that the iTunes store didn't come on the phone originally.
  • aknowles5139, on 11/12/2007, -8/+45One thing at a time guys. Yes it world be great to have it now, but if they rushed it and did a bad job then you'd be bitching about it coming out too fast and that you would've waited. It'll come.... just like the pictures section and the Optimus keyboard. :P
  • thinkfuture, on 11/12/2007, -3/+9yes, totaly, but doubt it. Steve used podcasting to draw people to itunes, but will he give back?
    • erwlas, on 11/12/2007, -1/+7You're right, he did and if you extend the logic, implementing podcasting over wi-fi for those with new 'Touch' or 'IPhone' Ipods could draw even more people onto itunes. I think Steve would love that!
  • yarinh1, on 11/12/2007, -1/+12Yup, that's exactly what's missing in the itunes wifi store. Hopefully they ll' add that in an update soon.
  • dartmanx, on 11/06/2007, -8/+11Don't make suggestions for improvements to Apple. They will sue.
  • ketha, on 11/12/2007, -1/+8yeah, ok, maybe but i think wi-fi syncing is the next thing they need on the iphone... and to use the bluetooth module for sending photos.
  • allenb, on 11/04/2007, -0/+21That, and wireless iTunes syncing, would make me a happy man.
    • dagamer34, on 11/12/2007, -5/+1How? And drain the battery while doing so? It just seems pretty lazy to me.
  • thehurricaneuk, on 11/12/2007, -1/+4i use mobilecast on the iphone at the moment. Just stick in a feed and good to go. an official app would be nice. mobilecast shows this is possible.
    • Garafraxa, on 11/14/2007, -0/+0Does mobilecast download and store the podcast on the phone, or does it only work within range of a hotspot or by streaming over the network?
  • ketha, on 11/12/2007, -2/+5Of course wireless 'remote' syncing and sharing and management would negate the need for this, and sweeten the 8gb/16gb pill.
  • htiawe, on 11/12/2007, -6/+2Finally something worth digging.
  • malcam, on 11/12/2007, -4/+2Presumably there's an overhead that's stopping them.
  • mattledger, on 11/04/2007, -0/+11How about enabling links in enhanced podcast's to be clickable on the iPhone/iPod Touch as well?
    They both have the internet now so why not?
    That would be nice!
    • mesoed, on 11/12/2007, -1/+2I didn't realize this was the case. Great idea and much needed.
  • Avaseal, on 11/12/2007, -3/+1yay
  • Boyler360, on 11/03/2007, -1/+1I was shocked this feature wasn't included when the wi-fi store was announced.
    I just loved how apple ignored anything to do with podcasts while they were talking about it so they didnt have to acknowledge that there was no podcast support in the wi-fi store.
  • dhmlco, on 11/12/2007, -3/+10Forget pocasts. Why not audiobooks? I'd be much more likely to get a new book in an airport or elsewhere that a new song.
  • precise, on 11/03/2007, -1/+4Seriously, they need to make everything available through wifi because i got to tell ya, my wife is interested in some of the spiritual podcasts, and she would be sold on the iPod Touch if she could do it over wifi. When I explain to her all the steps that it takes on a daily basis...download, connect, sync..bla bla bla. It's literally a deal killer for her. Thanks for this Digg AmandaGravel.
    • mrjofo, on 11/03/2007, -1/+1You're acting like she'll have to manually shuffle 1's and 0's each time she syncs. What's so hard about dropping a device in a cradle and pulling it out later? It downloads episodes and syncs automatically. the only thing she might have to do is eject (iPhone doesn't need to be ejected before removing but the Touch might)
  • thrasher9898, on 11/03/2007, -1/+2yes. We definetly need this feature.
  • ronmojohny, on 11/12/2007, -7/+0I don't think they will because there is no money in it for them, and it will suck up more bandwidth from AT&T
    • digthedug, on 11/09/2007, -0/+0The iTunes Store cannot run over AT&T's Edge Network, only on a wireless internet connection, so your argument is completely irrelevant.
  • naonao, on 11/12/2007, -1/+2Please add this, its the only thing missing from the otherwise great iTunes WiFi Music Store.
  • OropheR, on 11/12/2007, -12/+1Got no idea what he's talking about. Nerds, Get A Life.
    • luchid, on 11/12/2007, -1/+3...said the guy on digg...

      EDIT: I just saw your diggs. All you do is digg stupid "funny" videos. Please go back to collegehumor...
    • naonao, on 11/12/2007, -1/+1If you have no idea what he is talking about then don't post a comment. Mongo.
      • OropheR, on 11/12/2007, -3/+1You got too spoiled when you was a kid. I'll make you eat your ipod.
        • naonao, on 11/12/2007, -1/+1lol, over the internet? you got dropped on your head too much as a kid.
  • pswansen, on 11/12/2007, -1/+2Yes, indeed. This will assist those who want to make use of utterz.com as a micro-podcasting tool.
  • phoomp, on 11/03/2007, -2/+3No podcasts in the wifi ITMS? Looks like Apple doesn't think they need to deliver free content to people who've bought into one of the most anticipated gadgets of all time.
  • danjal, on 11/03/2007, -0/+1thank god, i thought i was going nutz! honestly i didn't understand and now i still don't why it isn't included, i've love some wifi podcast downloads!
    • phoomp, on 11/03/2007, -0/+2You don't understand why? It's easy; people might download free podcasts rather than pay for music.
  • mightycbu, on 11/03/2007, -1/+4i already don't listen to radio anymore, thanks to podcasting. only thing radio is good for is newscasting.
    LEO LAPORTE FTW!!!!1!1!!
  • markosl, on 11/12/2007, -1/+0You don't need to have the wifi music store to support downloading podcasts. All you have to do is navigate the safari browser to the rss feed of the podcast you want and you can listen to the podcast on the go, without syncing the iphone.
    • phoomp, on 11/03/2007, -0/+1sure, but then you can only listen to the most recent podcast.
      • markosl, on 11/12/2007, -1/+0It depends on the website but you can usually listen to past podcasts. You see a list with a description of each episode and then you can stream the one you want. Just go to http://leoville.tv/podcasts/twit.xml on the iphone to see what i mean. Note: You must use the Regular RSS feed, not the one formated for itunes.
    • GreenAlien, on 11/03/2007, -0/+1Interesting workaround, but hardly practical.
    • LeeSoong, on 11/12/2007, -3/+1the iPhone and iPod Touch do not support true Sun Java RTE - and a lot of web sites have Java features (like music, video, and web apps) that will not work on Safari - the second rate browser.

      Until Apple fixes the Java problem, they are selling happy, shiny paperweights.
      • srg13, on 11/12/2007, -1/+1People still use Java on the internet? Seriously, I don't have it installed on this PC, and I've never come across any sites that I've needed to install it for...

        I'd be more worried about Flash, personally...
        • LeeSoong, on 11/05/2007, -0/+1Adding flash / shockwave / and Real codec would be nice...
  • dimplemonkey, on 11/03/2007, -0/+1I don't want this in my iTunes widget unless you can bring wireless syncing to the table first! I mean, c'mon, even the lowly Zune's got this feature!
    • ECas123, on 11/12/2007, -2/+1So the Zune can wirelessly connect to an online store and download an audio/video podcast?
      • maexus, on 11/12/2007, -1/+1Since you can't pick up and process the subtleties of the above comment, I'll make it easy for you. "wireless syncing" He is talking about the Zune having wireless syncing. Take a minute, reread if needed. :)
  • neowolfwitch, on 11/03/2007, -1/+2As has already been said- there is no money in it for them. I doubt it would really drive that many people to buy a new iPhone or Touch, and in the case of their deal with Starbucks/T-Mobile- they are probably paying for bandwidth. I'm sure they would rather see that going into purchases from ITMS than downloading podcasts. I really doubt it would be difficult to implement, so I'm sure it was intentionally left off, and it wasn't just an oversight on Apple's part. IMHO of-course.
    • LeeSoong, on 11/04/2007, -0/+1If the iPhone / Touch supported reading .pdfs, reading text files, save and open web site archive files from Safari (on the mac), and add real file management, as well as save attachments, make attachments to email - it would be a nice little computer and get more sales.

  • thexder, on 11/12/2007, -1/+5To hell with Open Letters already!
  • zeroflake, on 11/12/2007, -9/+2OPEN LETTERS TO APPLE SUCK DICK (in the bad way - not the good loving gentle way.. you know like your mom does it!!!) anyway, enough is enough!!
  • Rysac1, on 11/12/2007, -6/+3Get a n95 soo much better than the old technology good 'ol Jobs spoon fed all you fanboys. Has everything the iphone has then beefed it up.
    • GreenAlien, on 11/12/2007, -2/+3Must of us read reviews based on expert opinions rather than rely just on Apple keynotes. If the n95 floats your boat then good, but not everyone needs the same feature set so shove your insults where the sun doesn't shine.
    • freudianslipper, on 11/03/2007, -0/+2Yeah, darn old, amazingly innovative touch-screen technology. Get with it apple!
    • LeeSoong, on 11/12/2007, -2/+2Touch screens have been out since the 1980s and earlier,
      the n95 has a lot more power and features and is a better sounding cell phone,
      and http://www.archos.com is STILL 5 years ahead of anything Apple can dish out.
  • freudianslipper, on 11/12/2007, -1/+2Podcasts absolutely! I think this should have already been implemented. But what about iTunes Radio? I think that would be an amazing upgrade to the iPod Touch/iPhone.
  • 1town, on 11/03/2007, -0/+1Things the wi-fi store needs:
    Podcasts
    Video Store
    iTunes Plus section (i don't buy ***** drm, ya hear me apple/RIAA?)
    • kagayaki1, on 11/12/2007, -1/+1I assume you mean a dedicated section to iTunes Plus? You can see the iTunes plus tracks, but I agree it's hard to find them without a section devoted to it. Also, the link to the iTunes Plus section of the store doesn't work on the iPhone, but other Phobos links do.
    • Sun.Surfin, on 11/12/2007, -1/+1Ehh... there's already iTunes Plus in the wi-fi music store.
    • pygmalion, on 11/12/2007, -1/+1iTunes Plus is in there already. I recently bought two iTunes+ albums for 10$ each from my iPod Touch.
  • falken0000, on 11/12/2007, -1/+0I was disappointed when i wasn't able to get webcasts via the wifi itunes store. I also wish I could sync back with my mac via wifi or bluetooth the items i purchased via itunes wifi (i'm super lazy). On the plus side I find the wifi itunes to be more convenient then downloading music via other not so approved methods.
  • kagayaki1, on 11/12/2007, -2/+2I'd much rather see the popularity meters in the store for regular music first. It's hard to know which track on an album is the hit or not. Then we can focus on podcasts.
    • LowRentDiggs, on 11/03/2007, -0/+2Or you could listen to the songs to see which ones you like best rather than rely on someone to tell you what the "hit" is.
  • maldog, on 11/12/2007, -1/+1Spoken Word.
  • danieleran, on 11/12/2007, -3/+2If you don't already know, Apple's iTunes store doesn't host podcasts. It only offers a directory of podcasts, so that iTunes users can manage subscriptions. Trying to manage podcast subscriptions on an iPhone/iPod Touch would be problematic, because they only have 16 GB tops.

    However, if you want to listen to and browse podcasts, all you need to do is click on an RSS feed. Google for the site you want to listen to, then hit their RSS feed and mobile Safari presents a listing of episodes you can select from and listen to "live," directly from the podcaster's servers, over either WiFi or EDGE (not just WiFi, as the WiFi iTunes store is limited to).

    "Putting podcasts in the WiFi store" might sound like a good idea, but it's pretty dumb if you know how things work. Who doesn't understand that the iPods that can run the WiFi Store (only the iPhone and Touch) don't have hard drives (!), and therefore Apple can't "upsell buyers to larger hard drives"? They use Flash, and will likely not ever move to HD because OS X is designed to use Flash, not slow mechanical HDs that can't support running a mobile, extremely low power OS.


    • justinrussell, on 11/05/2007, -0/+0I don't really understand why podcast management on an iPhone would be problematic due to storage capacity. Most audio podcasts run anywhere from 5-50 MB, so there would be plenty of space for them on a 16 GB drive. Video podcasts might take up more space, but they wouldn't compare to the feature-length movies (or even TV shows) that can be stored on the device.

      On top of that, Apple publicizes podcasts - both video and audio - as a key feature to the iPod component of the devices ("Enjoy video podcasts" is on the main features page for the touch.) It would make perfect sense to have all forms of content available through the iPod component available through the WiFi store, just as it is on the desktop app. Clicking on an RSS feed in Safari defeats the whole purpose of podcasts; the appeal of the podcast form is in the automatic delivery as new episodes are created.

      While it's true that iTunes serves as more of a directory than a repository, there's no reason why the WiFi store couldn't serve the same purpose. If management is a big issue, Apple could limit podcast management to within the iTunes desktop app and simply allow basic addition of new podcasts (without allowing delivery preference setting) on the iPhone/touch that would later be synced with the desktop machine.

      I think the only "dumb" part is not being able to realize that there's no real reason why it wouldn't be feasible.
  • karinhoegh, on 11/12/2007, -1/+0I am there with you Chris Penn - that many diggers can not be wrong!
  • Panda200x, on 11/12/2007, -1/+2Just spam apple like you did with the SDK stuff.
    • SuperJimmyJimbo, on 11/03/2007, -0/+1don't forget: it worked with the $100 "rebate" too...
  • USB2point0, on 11/03/2007, -0/+1yeah, i want audio and video downloads from podcasts i already subscribe to as well.

    I can do that with my psp, so make it happen Apple. It's my Wi-Fi and it's my battery, please add this feature.
  • Jangles, on 11/03/2007, -0/+1Mobilecast is my best bud!
  • cspenn, on 11/12/2007, -1/+1I'll be printing out the comments on the blog and fedexing them to cupertino.
  • Bladerunnerx, on 11/12/2007, -0/+2I had no idea that this obvious feature was left out. Way to go Apple. You Da new Microsoft.
  • dfowler7437, on 11/12/2007, -1/+0I want to buy a touch but will not till it can sync my podcast. If I have to bring it to my PC to get the podcast I listen to every day.. I will keep my current iPod for that.
  • IanIsanberg, on 11/12/2007, -1/+0I don't think Starbucks would like their Wifi being used to download free content, but I'd like to see it!
    • LeeSoong, on 11/12/2007, -1/+1As long as you keep sipping that $ 8 drink and nibble that $ 2 cookie, I think Starbucks would be happy.
  • LeeSoong, on 11/12/2007, -1/+1How about iTune Downloads of Music Videos, they usually are only 40 MB, and can download and stream / present the video at the same time.

    Same goes for full featured movies.

    The iPhone / Touch would need to do a 'space check' to make sure the downloaded video would fit,
    and a 'battery check' to make sure you have enough power and time to download and view the purchased iTunes video.
  • jackmack, on 11/12/2007, -1/+0Maybe we need to ask AT&T?
  • Johny900, on 03/30/2008, -0/+1that's what's missing in the itunes wifi store. i hope that they ll' add that very
    soon.
    John - http://www.howtowritealetter.net
  •  

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