BeyondPod to the Rescue (or My Mobile Podcast Journey)
Several years ago I discovered the joy of RSS reading and podcast catching on my Pocket PC. Back then I was using an application called FeederReader and was generally quite happy with it. It worked well and handled podcasts nicely.
At some point, something happened and FeederReader more or less disappeared. In fact, even now the site is still up but the forums are gone and the download page, which relies on the forums, is not very useful. I’d probably still use the software, but my original install package is long gone.
My work-around, for the past year or so, has been to use Google Reader or Juice to track my podcasts. I then download the enclosures and manually upload them to my Windows Mobile phone where I play them with either GSPlayer or the built-in Windows Media player. That all works but it is rather tedious — and keeping the playlists current and such gets old fast.
Fortunately, my podcasting efforts recently got a lot easier. While aimlessly wandering through someone’s blogroll I happened to stumble onto a site extolling the virtues of BeyondPod (wish I could remember the site!). I’m not sure how it happened that I’d never heard of this project, but it is the bees knees. The cat’s pajamas. The holy grail of mobile podcast management for the Windows Mobile platform.
Yep, I love it that much and I’ve only been using it for two weeks. Here’s the pitch:
BeyondPod is a free, open source, RSS feed reader and podcast manager (podcatcher) for Microsoft Smartphone and Pocket PC.
Using BeyondPod you can subscribe for RSS feeds, read the feed content, download and listen to associated podcasts (enclosures) directly on your mobile device.
BeyondPod also provides a convenient way to play downloaded podcasts using a built in media player with features like configurable “TiVo style” commercial skip, tracking of played time, easy cleanup of played podcasts and many others.
If you’re using a Windows Mobile device, this one is definitely worth a look. It manages the podcasts playlists. It keeps track of how many are left to listen to in each feed. It just takes care of details.
Trying out BlueCast
I just finished installing BlueCast and am about to head out for a long bike ride to try it out. I’m quite hopeful this will be the answer to my prayers.
And now you’re wondering what BlueCast might be and what does it do? From the site:
BlueCast streams your podcasts, music, voice notes, game sounds, and other audio content to Bluetooth headsets that support the “hands-free” Bluetooth profile.
In other words, all the stuff on your windows mobile phone that you wish would use your Bluetooth headset now works!
I have been looking for something like this all summer. I’ve been doing a lot of long bike rides and often wish I could listen to some tunes or podcasts while riding. However, I’m always worried about a headset cable dropping into a wheel or something…. that would be a disaster. Also, I don’t like having both ears plugged when riding — I can’t hear other riders around me (“I’m on your left!”) and that’s not very safe.
BlueCast will allow me to use my Motorola H350 headset to listen while riding. My only concern is if it will be loud enough (I have no idea how much of a factor wind noise might be). Guess I’ll know when I’m back home in a couple hours!
Notes:
- The site says it works with Windows Mobile 2002, 2003 and 5.0. My phone is 6.0 and it seems to be just fine.
- There might be more to learn about it, but their site is horribly broken right now
- Free trial, sells for $10.
- Might be hard to buy if they don’t get their site fixed…
- wonder if the trial is time-locked?
- I found the trial at Download.com
Tip: Juice on Vista — Fix the Folder
Earlier today I installed Juice, a podcast “catcher” on my Vista laptop. I’ve found it to be an easy to use way to keep current with the podcasts that I track (and I refuse to use iTunes for this!)
Everything seemed to work until I tried to download some of my subscribed podcasts. While no error message showed up–nothing happened either. Was a bit of a head scratcher… but turned out to be an easy fix.
The default download folder was causing the error. A quick visit to Juice Preferences (the General tab) and a browse to an existing folder got it all squared away. I already have a “Downloads” folder, so I just created a “Podcasts” sub-folder under it and pointed to it.
Speaking of podcasts, I’m open to suggestions on some good “geeky” podcasts to add to my subscriptions. Have a favorite or suggestion just drop it in a comment. Thanks!
Where’d You Go, FeederReader?
I’ve been out of the loop on the PocketPC feed reading scene lately. However, I have recently realized I hardly use my trusty old IPAQ 4355 at all — but I can recall what a great podcast player it had been for me in the past when I was using FeederReader.
As I headed to the FeederReader forums this evening I was a bit startled (follow the link).
Uh oh. Should I be looking for something else?
Windows XP WiFi: The Missing Patch
Here’s a little tip I picked up from the Security Now podcast.
Did you know that even if you diligently run Windows Update and get all the critical and optional patches, there’s one patch you still won’t have if you’re running XP SP2 and WiFi? This one, you have to know to go ask for by name.
It seems there was a patch released last October, known as “Update for Windows XP (KB917021).”
Install this update to enhance the Windows XP support for Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) options in Wireless Group Policy (WGP), and to help prevent the Windows wireless client from advertising the wireless networks in its preferred networks list.
Now, installing the patch itself doesn’t really stop your PC from advertising that preferred network list. There are a few more steps to take, and Steve Gibson has a walk-through – scroll down to the “Radio Silence” section, but it wouldn’t hurt to read the first section too.
This update does a lot. You can read more about it at the Knowledge Base article. Seems worth doing if you’re a WiFi user.
Why broadcast your preferred network names? Think of the fun someone “malicious” could have with that information.
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