PodOmatic supports video podcasts

PodOmatic, provider of free services enabling anyone to find, create, distribute, promote and listen to podcasts, announced today the addition of video podcasting support to its suite of products and services. Users need a PC or Mac, webcam and microphone to create a videocast with PodOmatic. PodOmatic syndication wizards enable users to place their videocasts in directories (i.e. Yahoo!, iTunes, etc) and viral marketing tools for promoting videocasts. Videocasters can now also podMail their videos directly to any PC, portable video device or TiVo box, and receive audio and video "emails" in their podMail account. All of PodOmatic's basic podcasting and videocasting services are free to registered users. PodOmatic also offers PodOmatic Plus accounts at $10 per month for podcasters and videocasters with successful shows requiring additional storage and bandwidth.

NHL, NASCAR to offer content via iTMS

NHL and NASCAR are close to signing a deal with Apple that would offer videos from both sources via the iTunes Music Store, according to a report from the SportsBusiness Journal. The online content provider has already seen an explosion of offerings from Disney, Pixar, ABC, NBC, ESPN, and others since Apple debuted its video iPod in October of 2005, making history and changing the distribution of mainstream television forever. Now Apple stands to increase its offerings, further expanding selection for its customers while bolstering its already large content collection.

Sky News offers podcasts

Britain's Sky News has announced that Sky News video can now be downloaded via podcast to the video iPod. Starting this week with their "7 Days" feature, Sky News will be building a library of clips for download over the next few weeks. The immediately available 7 Days program features a look at the week's lighter stories. The Sky News podcast is available to anyone using iTunes and a multimedia player or video iPod.

PodGear becomes GEAR4

Disruptive Technology Channels today announced that it has switched its PodGear brand name to GEAR4, and mentioned 10 new iPod accessory products will be available before the end of the month. The old name was "limiting" in that it was obviously iPod related, according to the company, and the move to GEAR4 is intended to highlight the firm's other digital accessories expected to be sold along with the successful iPod collection under one name. "The transition from PodGear to GEAR4 should shift the great reputation we have built up for bringing exciting, stylish accessories to market over to the GEAR4 marque and negate the need to launch other additional brands from scratch," said Tom Dudderidge, managing director of Disruptive Technology Channels.

Koyono debuts BlackCoat Work for iPod

Koyono today unveiled its new outerwear designs for spring of 2006 that include integrated controls for Apple's iPod digital media players. The first design to be available is BlackCoat Work, a lightweight jacket made from water resistant stretch cotton. The fabric interfaces which enable the embedded controls are made from ElekTex--a unique five-layer laminate of electrically conductive materials that transforms fabric into an electronic touchpad. Additional designs include coats dubbed Sport and Minimal, as well as a surprise garment innovation for summer with prices ranging from $150 to $1,000. The made-for-iPod BlackCoat Work jacket is scheduled to debut in March, and will be priced at $180.