The above post and Nokia’s podcast application (which, incidentally, updates just fine OTA, even here in the US) is one example (which I covered last year as John noted), the recent write up of Kajeet is another.

The sad thing is I even wrote a YubNub “nublet” that makes searching MC right from the browser bar a snap. Actually, I also did the same thing for Digg River even though I’m not a big fan of the way that information is presented in that format.

For those that have been missing my analysis, I’m doing some blogging at http://guidewireconnection.com/oliver-starr and have some big things in the works and a major announcement is on the near horizon.

I have to say I genuinely miss writing this blog and hope that folks also miss having me as the author…

Oliver Starr
http://guidewireconnection.com/oliver-starr

MobileCrunch wrote about Nokia’s solution last June. Has it evolved much since then?

Nokia’s solution works only on Symbian S60 3rd edition devices and is limited. I have doubts that their OTA capabilities work on anything slower than a decent wi-fi network. A small range of devices and limited network usability does not sound like a great way to serve the mainstream user at this time.

I have not seen Nokia’s app in a while, and I have enormous respect for them based on their company history during the last 15 years, but I suspect their solution is little more than a device centric RSS reader optimized for podcasts, with *no transcoding*, and no social networking capabilities built in.

Samsung Mobile Podcasts (powered by VoiceIndigo) is based on Open Standards and can run on a pretty wide range of devices.

Users are not locked into any distribution channel. With Samsung Mobile Podcasts, you can add any RSS feeds that are not already in the directory.

We also take additional measures to ensure a higher level of usability, such as OTA synchronization and choice of transcoding levels and formats most suitable for the listener’s phone and network.

We further enhance the user experience by enabling users to share channels and programs, and even interact with the podcaster.

Lastly, nothing in life is free (especially when looking at the aggregate of application, bandwidth, storage, and usability). We’ve decided to be proactive about it, and provide a form of advertising that is relevant, gentle, and actionable for the end user (www.VoiceIndigo.com/ambient). Ads are selectively placed. The Ambient Advertising paradigm not only ultimately provides a service for the end user, but compensates content providers for their works (www.VoiceIndigo.com/podcasters). Samsung Mobile Podcasts is a solution that addresses the needs of the entire ecosystem.

John Mayerhofer, VoiceIndigo

It works on any S60 3rd device (N73, N75, N76, N80, N91, N93, N95, E62, E70) and comes preinstalled on the N80i among others.

Forget being locked into a particular distribution channel, this app is based on standard OPML feeds listing podcasts. Don’t like their feeds, no problem, just add your own RSS feed or OPML list. It also supports AAC, 3GP and H.264 in addition to MP3. (only useful if your phone can play them).

Free, no ads, open standards…sounds like the kind of thing MobileCrunch would be quick to mention as competition for these business ventures.

David
http://www.MobileMarketingWatch.com