Here I am writing a blog on public relations and communications. One post on an Apple product, though, seems to attract more attention than most of the ones on PR. Go figure.

Several responses I’ve had address problems with podcasting that would make the iPod more usable for podcasting. For example, you can covert files to an AAC format (which I have to admit I’ve never heard of ), which makes it possible to bookmark your place in a file. Evidently some people do this as a matter of routine. Podcasters can also save their shows in a M4B instead of MP3 file. Something else to look into; I’m not familiar with M4B. You can read all these various solutions in the comments from my earlier post on the topic.

Then there’s Neville Hobson’s post today, lengthy and well worth reading, citing an article by Eric Rice in support of the Shuffle’s usefulness in podcasting. Rice likes the idea of using the Shuffle for promotional pieces.

Over at Geek News Central, Todd Cochrane links to beta software developed specifically for the production of podcasts. Organizations like CBS News have reported on podcasting. Several outlets have proclaimed it one of the major trends for 2005. There’s no doubt in my mind but that podcasting will explode this year, and that somebody—maybe Apple, maybe not—will capitalize on it by introducing a device aimed squarely at the podcast-listening market. That’s not to say that existing devices don’t work. Hell, I listen to podcasts every day on my iPod. But evolution is inevitable.

In the meantime, I still miss the functionality and ease-of-use of my Personal Juke Box. If it weren’t the size of a paperback novel (predating the smaller digital media players)—and broken from a fall off a treadmill—I’d still be using it.