So podcasting may have just became a lot easier to do on the go. I saw a mention on James Kendrick's blog jkOnTheRun of the press release of a new PocketPC application. AudioBay by AcroDesign Technologies that is being billed as a complete podcasting application. Scott Thibault, AcroDesign's President and Founder said in the press release "We are excited to release the first software to allow mobile users to create and publish podcasts."

See the feature list and a second screen shot after the break.

[Via jkOnTheRun]

Below is the feature list from the VoiceAtom.com site's product page.

• Simple podcast creation
• Generates standard RSS 2.0 feeds
• Generates HTML interface
• Includes free hosting for 12 months
• Includes podcast reader
• Location-based podcast search

It sounds like it has some nice features. I like the free hosting and reader included in the application. I may have to run by the office and pick up the XV6700 I have temporarily for development to try this out over the weekend.

It seems the registration for the 2006 Podcast and Portable Media Expo is open. This conference is going into its second year and from all accounts I have heard it was great fun had by all who attended the expo. It is at the Ontario Conference Center in Ontario California again, although it is moving from November to September. It is still two days of vendor exhibit hall, keynote presentations and conference sessions.

This conference is mostly aimed at those in podcasting, although I know a lot of podcast listeners went last year for the exhibit hall, and to mingle with, meet and see their favorite podcasters. It is also a way to get advertisers and podcasters together to facilitate sponsorship deals.

The conference has five conference tracks this year which are listed after the break.

• Podcasting 101 - A to Z for Beginners - Getting Up To Speed Fast
• Podcasting As A Business - Turning Content Into Profits
• Corporate Podcasting - Communications and PR Best Practices
• Podcasting As A Hobby - For Those Who Create Purely for Enjoyment
• Portable Audio & Video - Moving Traditional Content Into a Portable, On-Demand World (includes sessions for educators, musicians, and other specific interests)

They have a Frappr map setup for attendees to show where they are coming from on the attendees tools page. One of the other tools on the page is a link to the forums setup for discussion and side meeting arranging.

I am hoping to be there either in some way, either as a podcaster, just a podcast listener, or covering the expo for Droxy. Are any of our readers going to be there? Leave a comment if you plan on going.

Following on the heels of the news of HBO signing to sponsor podcasts we reported the other day, we noticed an article on the growth expected in podcast audience s and advertising, which our fellow Weblogs Inc Network Blog TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog) report on as well.

The research firm not only predicts the future size of podcast audiences, but they also predict the large growth in advertising dollars spent on podcasts. According to eMarketer, the advertising dollars spent on podcasts this year will be $80 million, growing to $150 million in 2008, and doubling to $300 million in 2010.

Diggnation

1. The Opening Music. Lasting no longer than 15 seconds, Diggnation starts off with different music everytime (ok, Episode #6 had a quote from the movie "Fear and Loathing"). Usually the music is something with some hype behind it, so you get revved up immediately.
   
   
2. The Introductions. Next, Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht always announce the episode number, the name of the podcast, and the basic purpose of the podcast on EVERY EPISODE. This is key for people who subscribe to a billion podcast feeds and for new listeners alike.
   
   
3. The Beer. On every episode of Diggnation, both Kevin and Alex pound back some beers while chatting with us. It's a nice touch because you get the feeling that you're hanging out with the crew bullshitting about geek stuff. Plus it adds an ongoing bit they can fall back on (snarfing the beer, talking about how it's going to their head, dropping it, etc) to prevent dead-air.
   
   
4. The Voice. Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht actually DON'T have the classic deep "Radio Voices" we've been exposed to for so long on terrestrial radio. They also don't do the cheesy wacky-radio-guy "Heeyyy everybody!" voice either. No, instead they talk normally as if they were talking to a group of people in front of them. What's really nice is that both Kevin and Alex have very distinct voices. You can tell one apart from the other very quickly and that makes for a more exciting recording.
   
   Their voices also keep you awake. Sure, they're both ex-TechTV guys, so they understand the basics in broadcasting, but they break the mold of classic broadcasting by speeking very rapidly, which only serves to fortify the geeky aspect of the show. They have a level of excitment in their voices that really keeps the listener tuned in. Pitch, tempo, clarity - all these things are extremely important when Podcasting.
   
   
5. The Personality. Each Diggnation Podcast has a purpose - to talk about the top stories of the week - but it's the comedy and human side of Diggnation that connects the listner to them. Alex serves as almost the comic-relief while Kevin balances him out - perfect. They talk about the stories, and then veer off into a tangent that leads to crazy discussions that a bunch of friends would be having while just hanging out.