In the summer of 2005, I watched Steve Jobs demo the new version of iTunes on stage at Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference, and was quickly interested in the world of “Podcasts” that he introduced to me. Podcasts are audio or video shows that you can download on the internet, automatically, by subscribing to them in a podcast client (e.g. iTunes). Podcasts almost all free, so there’s no cost associated with them – other than your internet connection. So now, five years after being introduced to podcasts, and years of listening/watching later, I’m going to share a few of the ones that I have found interesting over the years…
Daily Giz Wiz
The Daily Giz Wiz is a five day a week revolving door of sometimes crazy, sometimes useful gizmos and gadgets being reviewed. The show and its two hosts (Leo Laporte and Dick DeBartolo) are light-hearted and comedic, full of some good and groan worthy jokes, as they review a gadget a day. (iTunes link/Show site)
Tips from the Top Floor
Tips from the top floor is great, long running, podcast that teaches you about digital photography. Hosted by Chris Marquardt, aus Deutschland, the show is a reliable source for good advice – and the back catalogue of shows are worth the listen as well, as there’s plenty of great material. (iTunes link/Show site)
The Economist: The week ahead
You may have heard of The Economist, a reputable and well established magazine covering business and the world at large. However, you might not have known that they offer several free podcasts, among them “The week ahead”, which offers a concise and nuanced look into what’s expected to make the headlines each week. Interesting and well-researched. (iTunes link/Show site)
iTunes: Meet the Author
Apple regularly hosts “Meet the Author” events, where they interview famous or up-and-coming authors. They record these events, and publish them as a free podcast. The authors are always usually wonderfully eloquent, with interviewers that are well briefed and ask insightful questions (of everyone from Stephen Fry to John Hodgman). It’s well worth the listen, in my book. There are two versions, the UK version and the US version – of which you normally only see the one for your country, however you use a little trickery to get both. (From the advanced menu in iTunes, select “Subscribe to Podcast”, and paste these links in: Meet the Author UK, Meet the Author USA)
Know Tech
Know Tech is a bit of a hodgepodge. It doesn’t focus on any central topic, and isn’t structured like a regular show. Rather, you feel like you’re listening in on a conversation between friends, talking about their shared interests (which are often computer-focused, but also revolving around everything from photography to typography, to design and beyond). An always intelligent show, where you come away knowing more than you knew at the start, and one that never feels scripted or pre-packaged. (iTunes link/Show site)
net@night
net@night (hosted by Amber MacArthur and Leo Laporte), is a show that covers the internet and social media at large. Every week, they cover the big stories, talk about the great new web sites they’ve found, and interview people working at -usually the founders of- new startups. (iTunes link/Show site)
No Agenda
No Agenda is a bi-weekly show that covers what’s happening in the news. Hosted by the “Crackpot” Adam Curry, and the “Buzzkill” John C. Dvorak, the hosts try to deconstruct the media and make links between events that the mainstream media doesn’t. I often find the show a bit “out there”, but the show has been running for three years, and is usually right more than wrong, providing a perspective you definitely won’t hear on CNN or Fox News. (iTunes link/Show site)