(2012-06-27) Podcast Ecosystem Change

Apple Computer has spun PodCast support out of ITunes into its own app.

Dave Winer ponders the implications.

Adam Curry looks at the Whole Product needs in the Context of Dave's recent work with his River Of News and World Outline systems. Upon reviewing the new Apple Podcasts App, I realized that there is a huge opportunity in the discoverability of podcasts. It was Apple's typical interface choice that made it all click in my brain. The app wants you to discover podcasts by either browing through a 'radio dial' metaphor, a directory of pre-determined subjects, or search. Considering that a podcast is no different from a blog with a different payload, this is not the way we have learned to discover content. If we did, then presumable there would be some huge directory of blogs with a catalog, search and some form of browsing interface with 'recommendations. The way we do discover content is by looking at what our social networks are consuming. We are inundated with links and collections from our friends where we are exposed to new things and if we find itof interest, we follow, friend or subscribe to the source.