iPod Nano Adds Radio, Takes Away Our Audience?
At the last Apple music event (aka time to update the ipods), the iPod nano got some pretty hefty upgrades. For content producers, the biggest and shiniest one may be the addition of a video camera, but the one that may have a bigger impact is the FM radio.
I like the idea of not having to carry around a portable radio as well as an iPod (if you haven’t guessed, I am an NPR listener), but as far as my podcast is concerned, it’s also competition for my listeners attention. iPod buyers are looking for something to listen to, and adding an FM radio is helpful to their cause. And while I’m sure the radio industry is happy with the addition, they don’t find it the boon they are looking for.
And yes, the Zune had a radio previously, but the Zune isn’t nearly as popular as the iPod, and therefor has less impact overall. This has been something Zune users have turned their noses up at iPod users for a long time, but it hasn’t been much of a priority for Apple. This is like Apple providing competition for their own iTunes music store.
Then again, additional functionality may make an iPod more attractive to people who haven’t bought one before. And more iPods in more hands isn’t a bad thing for podcasters.
Radio in an iPod. Any thoughts?
Gary 8:06 pm on October 12, 2009 Permalink |
I think radio is dead … people want to listen to what THEY want to listen to, when they want it. That’s what the iPod stands for in general.
the biggest issue with podcasting is that most people haven’t tried it. If they only knew what was out there, *free*, they would be astonished. The amount of quality content, the regularity at which it comes out … podcasting is one of the media forms most underestimated in the public eye. But thankfully, all it takes is one good experience with a podcast to convert someone for life.
the itunes/ipod link is the key to continued growth.
avshockeypodcast 3:43 pm on October 13, 2009 Permalink |
I figure if the quality is there in the podcast people will listen to it. I never viewed the addition of the radio as competition, I viewed as a way for people to be more connected. Much of the sports in Denver’s market, besides Avs hockey of course, is now on FM radio. I’d love to listen to sports while I’m walking the dog, shoveling, etc. After I’m done listening to sports I can listen to a podcast that will help me get deeper into that sport or team. If the podcast is well made, people will listen either way.
And the live pause function is genius. After being spoiled with a DVR for the past year and a half I find it tough not being able to rewind things when I’m listening to sports talk. What a great function.
And James…More iPods equal more ways for people to access, download, and listen to podcasts. That’s a good thing for us.
James 11:55 am on October 20, 2009 Permalink |
I agree with the DVR point, and that more iPods are good for podcasters in general. Leave it to Apple to make an old technology (FM Radio) a “Killer App.” Which it isn’t really a killer app, but something that was buzz worthy.
Koomdogg 5:48 am on October 20, 2009 Permalink |
I agree with Gary and Avshockey. I rarely listen to radio anymore. The music stations are too formatted and stale and the sports talk stations (around here, anyway) are annoying and have too many commercials. I’d much rather listen to podcasts.
But I think if someone is already listening to podcasts on their iPod, they’re not going to stop because it has a radio function. As was already mentioned, the time-shifting aspect of podcasts makes them so much more convenient to listen to. I can listen to 25 minutes of a show on my way to work, pause it, and pick it up at my convenience. And if I didn’t hear something right or want to revisit something I just heard, I can rewind it.
The iPod has been a huge factor in introducing people to podcasts. That’s how it happened for me in 2005. Of course, it’s incumbent upon us to let our listeners and future listeners know that they can listen our shows on their computers or burn them to CDs as well.
Bruce 9:48 am on May 19, 2010 Permalink |
I agree with the DVR point, and that more iPods are good for podcasters in general. Leave it to Apple to make an old technology (FM Radio) a “Killer App.” Which it isn’t really a killer app, but something that was buzz worthy.