Podcast Ready feedCaster Widget Makes Podcasting Interactive with Audio, Video Feedback

HOUSTON and ONTARIO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With a belief that podcasts should be more interactive and easy to promote, Podcast Ready™ today announced the launch of feedCaster™, a free software widget that allows podcast subscribers to record and leave audio or video comments on a podcast. Podcast producers are able to use the widget to promote their content and register subscribers on social networking sites like MySpace.com®, AIM® Pages, TagWorld and their own podcast site.

“Launching feedCaster as a free widget that can promote and provide feedback in the podcasting community fits with Podcast Ready’s mission to develop new software and services needed to take podcasting to true mass adoption.”

The feedCaster widget allows site owners to provide a feedback forum for podcast subscribers, who can deliver their own audio or video podcast using their microphone and webcam. The feedCaster will automatically determine if the viewer has a camera or microphone and prompt the user through recording and posting a comment.

The feedCaster widget allows podcasters to broadcast and distribute content in several ways:

1. Recordings made using tools available to Podcast Ready members

2. Detail podcast subscription lists and favorites

3. Promote a podcaster’s existing feed complete with graphics, descriptions and subscription button

“In talking to our users and partners, Podcast Ready decided to look at a possible connection between podcasters, their audiences and trends in social networking,” said Russell Holliman, CEO and founder, Podcast Ready. “Launching feedCaster as a free widget that can promote and provide feedback in the podcasting community fits with Podcast Ready’s mission to develop new software and services needed to take podcasting to true mass adoption.”

The first external use of the feedCaster beta is on the website for the On Digital Media podcast. Six episodes of this podcast are listed as possible listening choices at the bottom of the feedCaster widget. Above, simple icons show how an audience member can record audio and video comments and subscribe to future podcasts.

“With the feature-rich feedCaster, the team at Podcast Ready has changed the way podcasters interact with their audiences,” said John Federico, co-host, On Digital Media podcast. “With feedCaster on our site, I’m looking to build a new community of active podcast participants who leave comments for me and my visitors to hear and see.”

Podcast Ready is demonstrating its software and web services, including feedCaster, September 29-30 at the Podcast and Portable Media Expo in Ontario, Calif.

About On Digital Media

On Digital Media (www.odmcast.com) is a podcast about the technology, creation, distribution, consumption and monetization of digital media and its effects on traditional media and marketing. If it’s part of the digital media ecosystem, you’ll likely hear about it here. The hosts are John Federico and Chia-Lin Simmons, two marketing geeks with a technological bent and passion for digital media.

About Podcast Ready

Podcast Ready™ provides software and services that remove the obstacles that are limiting the widespread adoption of podcasting, making subscribing and listening to podcasts easier and more portable. The company’s website provides podcast subscribers with an easier-to-use, feature-rich portal for the management of podcast programs and subscriptions. The company’s myPodder™ software is available pre-loaded on select MP3 players and by free download at www.podcastready.com. Unlike other companies, Podcast Ready’s enabling podcast player technology is installed on a user’s device rather than the desktop; is O/S and device independent; provides one-step syncing; allows sharing of permitted content; and remains independent of a dedicated portal. Podcast Ready was founded in Houston, Texas by Russell Holliman, an early member of the podcasting community.