Some thoughts on what a podcasting centric device should look like

Michael Gartenberg | November 28, 2006, 02:11 PM

Will Peter Rojas join forces with Jason Calacanis and Dave Winer to build a cool podcasting device? I doubt it, as Peter points out on his blog but Jason raises some interesting questions, is there room in the market for a device that isn’t necessarily music centric but focused on podcasts (and video podcasts) but of course could also play music as well? I think there might be something to this idea and here’s what I think it would need to look like. It's totally possible (but hardly an easy task)

First, you’re not going to have the budget to take on Apple and the iPod directly, this would have to be something that would appeal to the enthusiasts first and then over time become mass market. Here are ten more things based on our research that could make this a hit.

1. It should probably be a flash based device in the first iteration (unless there’s a focus on video podcasts as well). 4gb is a sweet spot in terms of capacity for music and would also likely serve this market well. I’d also offer an 8gb version. One reason for this is the need to integrate wireless into the device, flash keeps the form factor smaller and would also for better battery life even with wireless capabilities. If you really need an HD version, go directly with 80gb. The folks that want to load up videos and lots of stuff are going to want as much capacity as you can toss at them.

2. A standard USB mini port. You’re not getting an license from Apple to make a compatible connector so why make another proprietary one? Go with min-USB and you can already start tapping into an existing accessory market.

3. Wireless would standard. WiFi for updating the podcasts often as well as Bluetooth. Bluetooth lets you support wireless headphones as well as cell phone tethering for updating when you’re not near a WiFi connection. It would of course, have to be seamless to make this stuff work.

4. Wireless device sharing of songs and playlists with anyone nearby with a WiFi device or Bluetooth device. That means links to phones, PDAs and all sorts of other gadgets and gets users out of the mode of feeling like they’ve bought the first telephone with no one to call.

5. Great client side software. Not so much for syncing, it’s a USB 2.0 device and WiFi so I just mount it on my desktop and drag stuff over. More in the sense for creating a directory of podcasts and feeds that I can search, discover, link to and the like, downloading the links to the device and let the device sync over a tethered connection to a laptop or directly over WiFi.

6. Needless to say, DRM free. You’re not doing a deal with the record labels so need to pander.

7. Skip the silly stuff like bundled headphones to keep prices down. If you don’t know where to get some ok headphones at a good price, this isn’t the device for you.

8. Keep secondary functions secondary. Sure, this thing could do email, or read RSS feeds but keep those features out of site and don’t ruin the core experience for them.

9. If it’s a format, support it. That means MP3, Ogg, AAC, WMA whatever. Make it seamless for users to get their content to play on this thing without going through hoops.

10. Keep the form factor close to invisible for the flash version and keep the HD version pocket sized.

Finally. Bring it to market soon. I’d like one please

UPDATE. phillip torrone (who i finally met last nice face to face) IM'd and made a great suggestion, This thing needs replaceable batteries - it can use rechargable batteries that are recharged via usb when plugged in, or in a jam, take them out and use store bought alkaline. A perfect addition!

So, anyone else have any suggestions?