Podcasting: An overview of its strides in Japan.

           Most of the readers might have heard of the word podcast by now. But for those who haven’t, Podcasting is simply the distribution of audio or video files, such as radio programs or music videos, over the internet using either RSS or Atom syndication for listening on mobile devices and personal computers. "Podcasting" is a portmanteau word coined in 2004 that combined two words: "iPod" and "broadcasting."

           A podcast is a web feed of audio or video files placed on the Internet for anyone to download or subscribe to, and also the content of that feed. The subscription feed of automatically delivered new content is what distinguishes a podcast from a simple download or real-time streaming. Usually, the podcast features one type of "show" with new episodes either sporadically or at planned interval. For the history of podcast click here.

           Podcasting, via Apple Computer'ss iPod music player, might prove a boon for businesses, which are increasingly catching on to its novel commercial potential. Programming on offer includes news, music, language lessons, interviews, book readings and comic performances. People are now able to register their favorite weekly radio programs in advance on their computers so that the computers automatically record the programs each week. People then transfer the recorded files onto their iPods and can listen to them wherever they like. After making its debut in Japan around late 2004, podcasting has been popularized at an impressive speed. Click here to read more.