Need News? Download Podcasts!

As podcasts become more and more popular, so does the type of media offered. There are now many organizations, news networks, and even individuals that have begun to utilize podcasting as a way to get their messages out there. It can be faster and reach more people that do not have time to sit down and watch the news any longer.

For example, CNET now has a podcast of their news. This transition from an online website that users can go to, to also offering podcasts was simple for them. With their online ability already, utilizing podcasts also seems natural. Their podcasts cover everything from viruses in cell phones to Google's software and China's web restrictions to attacks on spy ware.

CNET and other sites like them simply use a sound file called MP3; this can be downloaded to your computer or any other media device and listened to whenever you are ready. CNET for example, offers these directly from their website or through RSS feeds. An RSS feed is a very small file that has XML coding within it. The code can be read by podcast clients, which are specifically created to read podcasts. Once you download a podcast client, you can then enter the RSS feed address and instantly you will have your news.

More and more sites are now offering podcasts. They have realized that it is a very exploitable way of reaching many people that otherwise would not watch or listen to their information. Such companies as The British Broadcasting Corporation and US radio station NPR offer podcasts of different programs and shows. NPR uses podcasts differently for their different shows. The American Life has a podcast that can be seen through the website audible.com, listeners do have to subscribe and pay a small fee to download the episodes.

However, NPR's news show offers a very short 5 minute broadcast and this costs nothing. With their news shows, very little is lost in the conversion to a podcast. A podcast is treated the same as listening to anything else on the radio.

There is also ABC that has a podcast of Night Line and this is the sound part of the show. However, many people do not like this format because it is a television show and everything has been taken away except the sound and so at times there is a lot lost to the user. Since there are no visual guidelines to follow it can be hard to know who is talking and what is happening.

Since this has been happening, many news shows are starting to go to video podcasts instead. This is actually simpler for them to do and results in a much better podcast for the viewers. All that has to happen is that the resolution is actually edited down to be smaller and then can be broadcast online as a podcast.

If you are having a hard time getting all your news and just do not have time to go online and look for it or watch it at home, podcast may be exactly what you have been looking for.