Forbes looks at computer programs that allow you to record radio programming onto your computer.
If you’ve used programs such as Radio Hijack or Radio Lover on Mac computers, or perhaps tried AudioFeast on the PC, you’ve come to understand the basic drill: record streaming audio from the Internet on a schedule similar to what TiVo does with your TV.Move the file of the recording to your favorite audio program, sync it with your favorite portable player, and you can hear the program at the time and place of your choosing.
RadioTime does all that, but it adds one important component that most of the others are missing: a detailed schedule and the ability to work with an over-the-air radio tuner if you have one. The result is an intriguing mix for radio junkies.
RadioTime is a subscription service, but there’s a good bit of it that you can use for free. Once you sign up, there’s a downloadable software program to access your account and handle listening and recording.
It works with both Windows PCs and Macs, and I tried both versions. I found it a convenient way to find obscure radio shows and see the potential for discovering new shows. Just listening, using the RadioTime player application and using the schedule, is free.
XM Satellite Radio has over 100 great channels.
But don’t you need a special receiver for satellite radio? Nope. Their streaming audio service works with any Mac or PC. It costs a flat $7.99/month for unlimited listening on dozens of streaming audio channels.
A recent development is X-StreamMobile, a PocketPC streaming player for XM satellite radio. Plug a couple of external speakers into the PocketPC headphone jack and you’re good to go. It may be a good reason to buy a PocketPC with built-in Wi-Fi.
Sirius Satellite Radio on Tuesday said it plans to debut Chinese and Korean language channels to underserved populations. MultiCultural Radio Broadcasting, a U.S. company which owns 44 U.S. radio stations, will provide a mix of music, news and entertainment programing. The No. 2 satellite radio service, behind XM, hired Mel Karmazin, former president of Viacom, and has signed Howard Stern.
Apple updated its iPod line today, making all-white models photo-capable with color screens, and has also launched a version of iTunes with Podcast support.
The white iPod line now consists of two models: a 20GB version that holds up to 5,000 songs and is priced at $299, and a 60GB model for $399. Both feature a screen capable of displaying 65,535 colors, and both can sync with iPhoto to display photos. All models are available immediately.
Apple also released iTunes 4.9, a version of its music-playing software that supports Podcasts. Users can subscribe to Podcasts via a special directory in the iTunes Music Store, and new episodes are then automatically downloaded when released (FAQ).
Apple and Motorola plan to announce the iPhone, a cellphone with built-in iTunes software, as early as this week. Reuters says that Cingular Wireless is also considering selling an iTunes-enabled phone.
Podcasting applications include HotRecorder, which allows users to record, even add sound effects on VoIP phone calls. It works in conjunction with Skype, AIM, Net2Phone, Yahoo! Messenger and FireFly.
DailyWireless has more on Clear Channel Podcasting, Video Blogs Come Home, IPTV: Is It Soup Yet?, Global Mobile Television and The Free Triple Play.
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