Podcasting takes the limelight
The latest explosion in the creative use of technology is podcasting, which allows audio information to be automatically sent to your MP3 player of choice (even if it's not an iPOD). The effect is in part to create time-shifting for radio just like TIVO did for TV shows. Podcasting exploded in part because of some very creative tools such as iPodder that are either free or very low cost and were created to automate the process of taking your audio stream to the MP3 player.
The idea of downloading audio in the form of articles, lectures, discussions, etc., on to my iPod which I can then listen to while on the airplane is very appealing. Many of the more advanced technical folks who have jumped on this technology see it as an end to commercial radio, but I have a hard time believing that polished entertainment and news organizations will die because of the emergence of a new spirit of adventure in public broadcasting.
It is interesting to contemplate applications of Podcasting in law enforcement and justice operations. Why not do police role call through podcasting? Let the officer listen to the briefing on the way to his or her beat rather than sit through a briefing. The ease of making original audio files using this technology raises the possibility of using it for capturing victim and witness statements. Task forces could use this technology to record discussions and brief those who could not attend the meeting. The training potential alone might justify the investment in the iPod's.
8:55:13 PM 
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