Category Archives: Music

What Is Podcasting and Why do YOU Need it?

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Image courtesy of flickr.com by derrickwa

I recently published an article about a podcasting app that I enjoy using called Stitcher Radio. After talking with a few people about the app I realized that a lot of people do not know what podcasting is. In this article, I am going to describe exactly what podcasting is, and why you need to listen to podcasts. I will also give you some direct links to the shows that I listen to weekly. I think that podcasting is a great way for people with little time to get great content. Did I mention that its free. OK maybe some people charge for their podcasts(I’m playing it safe), but all of the podcasts that I listen to are delivered to me for free.

What is podcasting: Imagine being able to search for any information you would like to learn about, or any topic you are interested in. I have good news that’s exactly what podcasts are. Podcasts can also be any type of syndicated radio show that is played on air or a radio station. Imagine them as on demand radio style content available around the clock, or whenever you have the time. Some shows are 5 min long; some shows last hours. Most podcasting apps allow you to search for anything, and they will have a listing of categories you can scroll through.

Why do YOU need to listen to podcasts: Because you don’t have time to sit around reading all day to learn the things you want to know, or the things you wished you would have learned when you where still in school.  Also if you have an interest in a topic, but don’t think you have the time to invest in it. I think you may be able to find time to listen to a podcast while doing these things and you don’t know it yet.

  • Commuting to work
  • Traveling while at work
  • Lunch break
  • During work(as long as it’s safe and you’re not stealing time from your company!)
  • Doing housework
  • Driving with your family on a road trip(and everyone in the car is sleeping but you)
  • During exercise
  • On a plane, train, or boat

Turn off the TV: Turn off the TV one night a week and learn something. We all stare at the TV week after week watching shows at night. Sometimes you can’t even find a program you want to watch so you settle for a movie or episode you have already seen. I have an idea: turn off the TV and fire up a podcast about something your interested in, or something you have always wanted to learn. Maybe you should get on the treadmill in your bedroom, with tomorrows work clothes hanging on it, while you listen.

Why am I so passionate about podcasting: I travel for work and it gets very boring. I have started listening to many podcasts while I am at work. I have learned a great deal of information about topics I am interested in. In addition to that I have found many motivational and leadership based podcasts that inspire me weekly to do the things in life I never thought that I could.

Listed below are some of the shows I listen to on a weekly basis: The links I have provided below will take you directly to that show’s preview page inside iTunes. From that page you can read a brief summary of the show and/or start listening. Make sure you bookmark your favorites, and give your podcaster a positive review if you are enjoying listening to their work. All of the podcasts I have linked to are available for free. Alternatively if you are an Android phone user you can download Stitcher Radio and do a search inside your app for the shows I have listed. I would also like to add, you can download Stitcher Radio for almost any data phone or tablet(iPhone,iPad, Kindle. etc.).

Leadership

Website Development/Blogging

Other

I hope you will take the time to check out these shows. If you do not currently listen to any podcasts, I truly believe you are missing out on a great learning/entertaining opportunity. Do you have an awesome podcast that you listen to regularly? If so, leave it in the comments and if it’s worthy of my list, I might add it.

Do you have a great App that I should know about? Do you have the next great App idea? If so please send me an email of your Apps or Ideas. Who do you know that needs to be introduced to the world of podcasting.

 

 

Not Finding What You Are Looking For??

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If this post is at the top of a category you have chosen; then I have not posted an article or review for this category yet. If you have an idea or if you are looking for something specific please send me an email. I have a long list of content scheduled to be reviewed. Please bookmark the site and check back. Thanks.

 

 

 

Stitcher Radio Is Everywhere You Are

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Stitcher Radio is one of my favorite free mobile applications. Stitcher allows you to choose from over 10,000 shows, podcasts, and live radio stations. You can browse by topic, category, or search by interest. I listen on my way to work and when I am traveling. This allows me to learn new things and find out whats going on in the news. I think of it as my own personal commuter university.

FEATURES: With Stitcher radio you can create custom stations of interest, with your favorite shows and podcasts inside those stations. While you are streaming content Stitcher provides listings to previous shows, and recommendations for other shows of your interest. One of the newest features is the ability to share your favorite shows with your Facebook friends. The Stitcher App offers a feedback button; it is located in the menu of the now playing screen.  I think the feedback button shows Stitchers great dedication to their user. The greatest feature of Stitcher Radio is, all of this content is available without syncing or downloading anything to your phone. All content is updated as soon as the publisher/provider produces new content.

USER INTERFACE: Stitcher has a very simple and smooth UI. When you open Stitcher, you will start with five options: Election Center, On Demand Shows, Live Radio, Front Page, and My Favorites. From there you proceed into those categories and choose your content. Then once you are in the now playing screen you have many options:

  • Search
  • Back Up 30 sec.
  • Progress Bar/Slider
  • Social Sharing
  • Thumbs Up
  • Thumbs Down
  • Mark As Favorite
  • Play/Pause
  • Skip
  • Other Podcast Suggestions
  • Past Episodes

CONNECTIVITY: I have very little trouble with Stitcher loosing signal or freezing up; due to connectivity issues. If signal is lost and restarting the App is necessary Stitcher remembers where It was in that podcast and content resumes.

SUGGESTIONS: There is one feature that I wish Stitcher would add. That is the ability to manually mark the podcasts in my favorites section as, listened to. There are some cases in which I start listening to a podcast without finishing it. It may be a podcast I listen to regularly and it will still appear to have fresh content if I do not listen all the way through.

Download Stitcher Now: Google Play or iTunes

Do you have a great App that I should know about? Do you have the next great App idea? If so please send me an email of your Apps or Ideas. Who do you know that needs the Stitcher App. Does your spouse or boss need to go to their own commuter university? If so share this article with them.

What is Applicationtalk

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Applicationtalk.com is a blog where you can find reviews on great apps and you can post your new App ideas. I travel a lot for work and I talk to a lot of people about their mobile apps. I also hear a lot of great ideas that go untold to the audience that needs to hear them. I am not a mobile expert, but I do love researching new Apps. I can’t wait to bring you my findings.

App Reviews: I will be writing a review each week for the Apps I think you need. I will also be posting short articles about how to use some more detailed, in-depth Apps. My posts will include Apple and Android based Applications all categories. I will only be posting one App review per week.

New App Ideas: I am looking for new App ideas. Whatever category it might fit into. Please email me your App idea. I will post an article about your idea, and we will start a discussion about it. I want to build a community that shares ideas. If you would like to build on any ideas that are already posted; please leave your thoughts in the comment areas under that post. Developers can look through the ideas and find there next big project.

Your Favorite Apps: Do you have an App that is great? Please send me an email with all the Apps info so I can check it out.

Much more to come: Please bookmark this blog so you can check back. This blog has just been launched as of 8-28-2012.

Email me: jason@applicationtalk.com