Podcast Tuner helps simplify podcast browsing

Pariahware has released Podcast Tuner for Mac OS X, which it says provides a new approach to finding Podcasts. Podcast Tuner downloads a list of Podcasts to the users computer and displays them in similar fashion to the online guide format used in cable boxes and personal video recorders. "It has a simplistic interface so that even novice computer users can now take part in the Podcasting revolution. By simply moving the mouse over the guide the user can display the podcast description, the episode description, or the podcast art. If the user wishes to hear a particular 'episode', a simple click on that episode will begin the download and automarically play it when the download has finished." A free trial for its service is available with the free software download. After the trial, the service is available for $10 per month or $100 per year.

XM, Samsung plan MP3 radio player for end of year

XM Satellite Radio Holdings and Samsung Electronics are teaming up to produce a new portable music player by the end of the year, according to the Associated Press. The player will use solid-state "flash" memory, allowing the storage and playback of MP3's as well as XM programming. The player itself will not receive XM satellite broadcasts, a docking station will receive these instead and store them on the player. The device will also allow listeners to identify songs on XM programming and order them from an online music store. Currently Washington D.C. based XM sells the MyFi, its own portable player that receives XM broadcasts directly and stores up to five hours worth of programming but won't play MP3's. XM also announced a plan to create a similar player capable of playing spoken-word content as well as XM programming from Audible's website.

Apple thwarting independent music podcasters?...

A group of independent music podcasters says that Apple is thwarting independent music podcasters. The group announced that Apple is not publishing some of the feeds of some of its members' podcasts at the iTunes Music Store. "Even though most podcasts only take 48 hours to appear, many music podcasters are finding themselves left out in the cold. Despite the widespread proliferation of podcasts through Apple"s new iTunes version 4.9, it appears music podcasters that legally distribute independent music are being left behind and effectively locked out of the iTunes podcast directory."

iPod accessory maker rebrands "iPed" line

Though Out Co. today announced that it has reached an agreement to change the name of its "iPed" accessory line for iPods and other devices. The company says that it believes that changing the name to "Ped" will help create a separate brand that is distinct from the iPod. "The best interest of the long-term success of the now-named Ped product line is recognition away from the coincident relationship of iPed to the iPod. This new recognition of Ped branding will show the true value of our products. Our products work with many other devices on the market as the designs are intended to achieve greatest result with iPods but not limited to them only." The Ped product line design, described as an elegant "device Ped-estal", is available for both the standard iPod and iPod shuffle.