The podcast page in iTunes shows the burgeoning popularity of the medium.There's plenty of X-rated content for new iPods, but now, with the holidays approaching, you might want to think about downloading something else.
Luckily, Wired News has your back with a roundup of some of the best free iPod content on the net. So go ahead, fill that new iPod without breaking the bank – or embarrassing yourself when Granny checks out your new gadget.
Where to start
Apple's iTunes is your first stop. Think of iTunes as a convenient distribution jukebox. Though many podcasters have their own websites, iTunes makes finding new material easier than searching the whole web – just browse iTunes' podcast categories to see what's available.
Want more? Find a podcaster you like, and follow the links in their blogrolls. Or browse the podcast directories:
Odeo
- Podcast Alley
- Podsafe Music Network
Yahoo Podcast Search
Video and enhanced podcasts
Enhanced podcasts can be viewed in iTunes and on the color iPod. The nano plays mp3s and shows photos but doesn't play the enhanced m4v, mp4 or .mov podcast formats. Video requires a brand new iPod, but most video clips will appear in the iTunes Video menu, and can be played in iTunes and added to any playlist.
Education
- NASA's Ask an Astronomer videos. A NASA astronomer answers questions from kids, like "Do the stars really move?" Clever animations illustrate the tricky concepts, providing educational fun for kids (and this reviewer, too). Subscribe on iTunes.
- The FrenchPodClass. Sebastien, a native French speaker living in the United States, uses audio, video and surprisingly helpful PDFs to give one reviewer optimistic ideas about New Year's resolutions. For example, see Lesson 1 audio (PDF review) and Lesson 22 video (PDF review). Subscribe on iTunes.
Travel
- Tuscany.PodTravels.tv. Feeling tired, even grumpy? Watching Sunset from a Rooftop in Florence can make it better. These handheld videos can be jumpy, but the bystanders speak Italian, and that's the dream, to be in some of the most beautiful places in Italy. Check out Show 44: Sunset from a Rooftop in Florence and Show 43: Christmastime Nordic Open-Air Market in Santa Croce.
- The San Francisco Chronicle's Podcasts. If you're still wondering what the fuss is about extended podcasts, step into the Chronicle's de Young Museum tour for a good example. On a color iPod, photos illustrate each section, and clicking on the little thumbnails opens a larger version of the image. Here's Part 1 and Part 2 of the tour.
Sports
- YOGAmazing Video Podcast. A tiny personal trainer in your iPod is just right for a short break at work or an impromptu workout at the park. Try out Episode 13, Yoga for Depression. Subscribe on iTunes.
- The 64mm Vlog. Fans will enjoy watching other skateboarders ride in these simple, personal videos, like Girls on Ramps. Subscribe on iTunes.
- NBA Video Podcasts. Basketball lovers will enjoy the official NBA videocast. Subscribe on iTunes.
Food
- Tuscany Pod Travels TV. A group of Italians who podcast video tours at Tuscany.PodTravels.tv also create charming cooking lessons like this one, Pappardelle Noodles with Duck.
- KCRW Arts & Culture: Good Food Podcast. Santa Monica College radio's enthusiastic foodie podcast interviews top chefs and features their recipes. It also offers tips about seasonal produce to look for at the market, at least in California. It's enough to make you hungry. Sample "Chocolate Desserts; Ethnic Sides; Vegan Fusion; Swedish Christmas; The Richest Fruitcake; Hanukkah." Subscribe on iTunes.
- Winecast. In Winecast, wine lover Tim Elliott shares interesting stories about varietals and growing regions, tasting notes and reviews of wines he buys at local markets. Here's his Winecast 47 about Beaujolais Nouveau.
Tech
- Diggnation. The Diggnation podcast expands on selected stories from the popular Digg.com website. Here, in a holiday roundup, Diggnation revisits some favorites. Subscribe on iTunes.
- One Minute Tip. These popular, information-dense podcasts are quick skill-boosters on a variety of topics, like Testing Skype or using the Text Tool in Photoshop.
- Here's Rocketboom. The daily comedy skit recently inked a deal with TiVo that will deliver hundreds of thousands of new viewers. It's about as sophisticated as Saturday Night Live newscasts, but oddly enjoyable geek TV. Check out Testing Out an ESP Table.
Audio podcasts
There's plenty of free, legal music on the web from musicians and record companies who hope you'll like what you hear and invest when you know what you want.
Audio podcasts work in most MP3 devices, not just the iPod, and can also be played in iTunes. For more details, see this handy set of instructions from LibriVox, a volunteer organization that produces free audio books of works in the public domain.
Is your download legal? Read the fine print. The free and legal MP3 music site Epitonic.com tries to answer this question.
- 3hive. The three guys behind 3hive – Jon, Sean and Sam – recommend music they love, and it shows. From the group Tessitura, here's a song called Haze.
- Audiofile. Salon's Audiofile blog keeps up with music news around the blogosphere and offers a free daily download. Salon's archive of MP3s makes it worthwhile for nonsubscribers to watch an ad before reading this music blog.
- They Might Be Giants Podcast. Here's TMBG's first podcast – and it's about time. Subscribe here.
- Jill Sobule. Jill's website currently features this great punk Hanukkah song: "Jesus Was a Dreidel Spinner."
- Google Music. Type the name of a band, artist, album or song in the main Google Music search bar.
Travel
- Junglecast. This podcast from an archaeological dig at the Mayan ruins near Palenque, Mexico, is a fascinating door into another world. Try The Ruined Suburbs.
- Victoria and Albert Museum. Experts discuss art from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Tech
- Make Magazine Audio Show. Pure geek pleasure for incorrigible do-it-yourselfers at O'Reilly's Make Magazine. Here, Make talks to an expert on biodiesel for everything you need to know on the topic. Subscribe on iTunes.
Classics
Lots of audio books are available for free from a wide variety of audio bloggers. Most are copyright-free classics or new open-source works.
- Penguin Podcast. This beautifully read podcast of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (Episode 1) is only available from the Penguin Podcast until Jan. 3, 2006. If you also want Episodes 2 through 5, make sure to download them before the deadline.
- LibriVox. The amateur readers at LibriVox read classics from the archives at Project Gutenberg. One compelling audio book for this holiday season is the Constitution of the United States.
Crafts
- Scrapcast. For paper crafters, Scrapcast's scrapbook instructor Lynette's explanations, tips and stories are a satisfying fix, like having your own personal craft tutor. Here, Lynette explains how to pre-plan your scrapbook pages. Subscribe here.
- CraftyPod. Curling up with a dose of Things to Make for When You're Under the Weather should be a soothing time for the crafty. More at CraftyPod.
Food
- CoffeeGeek Podcast. The quality of coffee is a perfect topic for the serious coffee geek. For chat about coffee tastings and musings on what restaurant coffee service should be, CoffeeGeek Podcast is unique.
- Say Yum. It's relaxing to hang out in the kitchen with Devan & Kris at Say Yum, who podcast recipes for simple meals like homemade pizza or the perfect Reuben. See Flickr for photos of the cooking process.
Sports
- ESPN Radio. A daily quick fix of news, fan opinion, fantasy sports and highlights from ESPN Radio shows. Subscribe on iTunes.
- NFL Rants and Raves. If spending up to an hour hashing out the week in football sounds like your idea of a great time, get out the snacks and pull up a comfy chair for some horsing around and thoughtful discussion with NFL Rants and Raves. Subscribe on iTunes.
Talk radio
- WGBH Morning Stories. Tony Kahn's Morning Stories are an extraordinary glimpse into the lives of our neighbors. In this edition, Anthony Williams, the first black member of the Boston Ballet, has an unexpected tale to tell. Subscribe on iTunes.
- The Big Thrill. From members of International Thriller Writers, these podcasts offer interviews and book excerpts for readers who enjoy thrillers. In this podcast, featuring David Hewson's book A Season for the Dead, excerpts are professionally read.
- Potter podcasts. And for the Harry Potter fan who can't get enough, here are two talk-radio podcasts filled with gossip and news. This Potter fan found it a bit excessive, but others are clearly having a good time. Listen to MuggleCast and PotterCast. Celebrating the most recent Potter movie, the two podcasters got together for a joint live podcast from New York: Muggle/PotterCast LIVE in NYC. Subscribe on iTunes.
