Rumor: podcasting comes to Windows Media Player before Windows Vista

msmobiles.com ^ | October 19, 2005 | staff

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Until now it was known that Microsoft will not release support for podcasting (RSS feeds with attachments) in Windows Media Player until the Windows Vista (successor of Windows XP) will be released (early 2007).

It may be however that this podcasting support will come earlier - in a next version of Windows Media Player available for download soon! It would mean that synchronizing of podcasts would be possible also with Windows Mobile devices, because Windows Media Player in Windows Mobile can be synchronized with Windows Media Player in PC already.

Yesterday Adam Curry - the self-proclaimed father of podcasting (in fact: it was Dave Winer who invented it, Adam Curry stole all the credit):
. was visiting Microsoft in Redmond where Microsoft demonstrated to him Windows Media Player with podcasting support! Microsoft also has gathered some feedback from him about it too.

Until recently Adam Curry was using T-Mobile MDA III Pocket PC phone, but lately he switched to RIM BlackBerry due to comfortable e-mail push functionality. Generally Apple is paying big money to Curry's company PodShow for creation of iTunes only podcasts and for promotion of Apple, so this visit of Adam Curry at Microsoft was rather low-key but obviously it is good sign that Microsoft (very slowly) is realizing that neglecting podcasting is a mistake: after all Apple supports podcast natively in iTunes and iPod already for several months and Microsoft once again is lagging behind in innovation : not just because Apple is supporting podcasts in iTunes but also because Apple offers enhanced podcast format playable in iPod players only - where user can see embedded graphics that is changing as time goes in given podcast (so called concept of "chapters").

Please note: you don't have to wait till Microsoft will build in the podcasting into Windows Media Player - it certainly will not be perfect - you can get very good free podcast catcher in form of smartFeed program for Windows Mobile.

While Windows Media Player in Windows Mobile is not bad and very well suited even for wireless streaming, unfortunately it is not perfect: one cannot see in it for example graphics embedded in MP3 files. We can also assume that also podcasting support in Windows Media Player will not be so mature as it is in iTunes or iPodder programs... however some support is better than none.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Just came across this non mobile system with some interesting stuff that I didn't know was available for windows.....at Frey's online outlet....Outpost.com

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HP Pavilion a1250n Desktop PC with AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Dual-Core Processor PC, LightScribe Double Layer DVD±R/RW
$50.00 Rebate

HP (Desktop PC):
Outpost #: 4568637

HP Pavilion PCs are for digital photography, digital video and digital entertainment. Effortless to set up and use simple guides, to peripherals such as cameras, and rich with software to let more. HP PCs are by winning, fast, friendly and efficient 24-hour support.
Limit 1 per Household.

In stock, same day shipping
Detailed Description |  Rebate Info|  | Warranty Info

Price:	$	899.99
After Rebate:	$	849.99

Rebate Info
Product Rebate: to receive your rebate, follow the instructions on the PDF below. You will need a printer and postage. No printer available? Then click the second link to receive the rebate form by .

 
$50.00 Rebate!    Regularly $899.99

$50.00 Mail in Rebate valid from 2005-10-02 to 2006-01-07
      Download the PDF
 

Rebate PDF Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. to get it.

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Detailed Description  [return to top]

SPECIFICATIONS:

Processor

• AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+ dual-core processor with Enhanced Virus Protection

  Processor Speed

• 2.0GHz

  Cache

• L2 Cache = 512KB+512KB

  Bus Speed

• 2000MHz System Bus

  Memory

• 1.0GB PC3200 DDR2 SDRAM memory (2x512MB for ultimate performance) (expandable to 4GB)

  Hard Drive

• 250GB 7200RPM Serial ATA hard drive

  Optical Drive(s)

• LightScribe Double Layer 16X DVD±R/RW drive with CD writer capabilities: 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, DVD-R, 4x DVD±RW, 2.4x DVD+R DL, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CDR, 24x CDRW, 40x CD-ROM
• DVD-ROM drive 16x max. speed

  Video Graphics

• Integrated ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Graphics with 256MB shared video memory

  Network Interface

• Integrated 10/100Base-T network interface

  Sound

• Integrated audio, 6 speaker configurable

  Fax/Modem

• 56k modem

  Memory Slots

• 4 DIMM (240-pin DDR) (two available)

  Expansion Slots

• 3 PCI (two available)
• 1 PCI-E (available)

  Expansion Bays

• 2 external 5.25"(occupied)
• 2 external 3.5" (one available)
• 1 internal 3.5" (occupied)

  Total External Ports

• Front panel 9-in-1 memory card reader - supports Smart Media, xD, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital (SD), Compact Flash I, Compact Flash II, Micro Drive, Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro
• 7 USB 2.0 port(s) (3 FRONT, 4 back)
• 2 FireWire (IEEE 1394) port(s) (1 FRONT, 1 back)
• 1 parallel, 1 serial and 2 PS/2 (back)
• Microphone/headphone/line-in (Front)

  Included Mouse and Keyboard

• HP multimedia keyboard
• HP scroller mouse

  Dimensions

• Unpackaged (PC Only): 15"(H) x 7.17" (W) x 17"(D) (approx.)
• Packaged: 23.5"(H) x 19.75"(W) x 10"(D)(approx.)

  Weight

• Unpackaged (PC only): 24lbs (approx.)
• Packaged: 33 lbs (approx)

  SOFTWARE:

  Operating System

• Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005

  Photo and Video

• HP Image Zone Plus: A great way to organize, edit, share and protect photos with ease
• Sonic DigitalMedia Plus - featuring LightScribe Technology: Edit, burn and archive dat to DVDs and CDs
• InterVideo WinDVD 5 player: Play DVD movies
• muvee auto Producer: Quickly create professional looking home videos and burn to DVD

  Entertainment

• Apple iTunes for Windows with LightScribe Driect Disc labeling support (using Sonic Express Labeler): Digital music jukebox for importing music, organizing your collection and more

  Productivity

• Microsoft® Works 8: Includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database and calendar
• MSN Encarta 2005: Access a complete online encyclopedia, maps center, dictionary and thesaurus (1 year trial subscription included)
• Microsoft® Office Student and Teacher Edition 2003: 60-day trial version
• Adobe® Reader 6.0: Read and print PDF files

  PC Security

• Norton Internet Security 2005: Protect your PC (includes 60 days of complimentary live updates)
• InterMute SpySubtract Pro: Protect your PC from unwanted spyware. 60-day trial version (English only)

  Finance

• Microsoft® Money Standard 2005: Manage your personal finances and investments (English only)
• Quicken 2005 New User Edition: Track your home finances and investments (English only)

  Online Services

  • Easy sign-up to major dial-up and broadband Internet Service Providers:
  • AOL dial-up (trial service included)
  • AOL for Broadband (trial service included)
  • AOL for Small Business (trial service included)
  • AOL Latino (trial service included)
  • Netscape Internet Service (offer included)
  • MSN dial-up (offer included)
  • MSN Premium (offer included)
  • EarthLink dial-up (offer included)
  • EarthLink High Speed (offer included)
  • SBC Yahoo! DSL (offer included)
  Service and Support

  Enjoy HP's 1 year limited hardware warranty and 90 day software support, offering 24x7 technical assistance available online or toll-free by phone

  Service Options:

  • Hardware: One year parts and labor from date of purchase
  • Software: 90 day technical toll-free phone assistance
  • Service Delivery: Customer Replaceable Parts; Return to hp for repair; Authorized Service Provider.
  For information, visit www.hp.com/support

  Support Options:

  • Desktop icon provides one click access to built-in desktop Help and Support Center
  • Easy, online access to questions, answers and troubleshooting information via www.hp.com/www.hp.com/support
  • Direct, knowledgeable assistance available 24/7 toll-free by phone.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Except for the video (on board ) and expandability, this system has some good stuff, especially the AMD64 X2 3800+ ( I love mine ) and the 250 Gig HDD, two DVD's one is ROM and one a Lightscribe burner, got one of those.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Compute power is getting cheap!