Why Is The Zune 2 Better Than The iPod?

The PMP battle is now in progress and surprisingly, the new Zune is a worthy contender. I do hope the iPod is ready for some competition. Don't get me wrong, I love the iPod. However, I can't help realizing that Team Zune Luv from Zuneluv.com does have some valid points in their article 7 Ways Zune Beats iPod. Here are their two best points in my opinion...

Podcast as top-level entry. It always bugged me that Podcasts were a “category” in music (or video) in the iPod. That was just so wrong on so many levels that it is great to see that cleaned up. Don’t get me wrong, I have music and Podcasts on my Zune - there is just a time and place for everything (and now they both have their place).
Bonus – I can now shuffle music content and not worry that an episode of the Bitterest Pill will show up in the mix.

> I agree, I love podcasts and I think they should have their own top level menu entry. Lumping them in with Music and Videos just creates confusion.

Radio. I seldom listen to radio but found myself in the gym watching a news clip on the monitor that caught me eye. They do that broadcast the audio on FM thing so I switched over quickly, got my fix and went from there. 3 minutes of usage total – but it was nice to have.
Bonus – We live in crazy world where a radio nearby is never a bad thing. Usage will continue to plummet but having that option in the case of an emergency is a comfort.

> No matter how large our music library is, we do get bored with our music sometimes. For the freshest tunes, nothing beats the airwaves.

My Top 4 Video Podcasts

Aside from reading blogs, video podcasts are my favorite way of keeping up with tech news. You can download podcasts through Apple iTunes, RSS feeds, or through their websites. However, I understand that picking a podcast to subscribe to can be pretty daunting, since there are practically hundreds to choose from.

Being the techie that I am, I have tried watching every other tech podcast available in the internet, but I have found out that I stick to a few that I really like. I'd gladly recommend my favorites to those who are new to podcasts, and here they are:

• Mobuzz.tv - Keeping up with tech news is a breeze with Mobuzz TV. However, this isn't just any other tech news podcast. The way it's written makes it really quirky and entertaining, while still managing to keep it's credibility and intelligence. Mobuzz is based in Spain so they have a more European approach to tech news, but they pretty much cover the whole tech world.
  
  Length: around 5 minutes
  Published: 5 days a week
  Host: Olivia
  Based in: Spain
  
  

• Geekbrief.tv - This podcast aims to keep us updated on all the latest gadget news and reviews. The host Cali is a true blue techie and it shows in this podcast; she really knows her stuff. The podcast covers the whole gamut of gadgetry, from cameras to phones to iPods to computers. I love the DearCali episodes, where she answers questions sent in by viewers.
  
  Length: around 5 minutes
  Published: depends, mostly every two days
  Host: Cali Lewis
  Based in: USA
  
  


• WebbAlert - This is another great tech news podcast, based in the United States. It is hosted by Morgan Webb, another real-life techie, particularly a hardcore gamer. The podcast is published almost daily and covers the latest developments in tech, gaming, gadgetry and digital culture.
  
  Length: around 5 minutes
  Published: 4 days a week
  Host: Morgan Webb
  Based in: USA
  
  


• Tekzilla - This is a great podcast to watch on your Apple TV or on you computer, since it's practically a full-length tv show. Their target audience is someone who's not too much on the techie side since they keep everything "idiot-proof." However, it's still a nice show to watch even if you're already a geek.
  
  Length: around 30 minutes
  Published: around once a week
  Host: Jessica Corbin and Patrick Norton
  Based in: USA
  
  

Do you know any great podcasts that are not included here? Let us know!

My Top Make Videos

As all of you have probably guessed, I'm a huge techie. However, I'm crazy about crafts and the whole do-it-yourself thing too. Make Magazine is a great resource for me because it perfectly marries these two interests. They've got a blog and a podcast as well as an actual magazine (digital or made of paper) chock full of projects to keep you busy until the next millenium.

I present to you my top Make videos brought to you by Youtube:

1. Learn how to screenprint your own t-shirts: If I could wear t-shirts everyday of my life I would. This video shows you how to silkscreen your own designs onto t-shirts (or anything else that's flat and absorbs paint for that matter)... a very useful skill to have if you like having one-of-a-kind shirts. Although, if you want to be able to wash your t-shirt creations, I don't recommend doing the last bit... see for yourself.

2. Make a ring from a half dollar: I'm almost sure this should be illegal but the video says it's not. Anyway, the finished product looks really cool. Do this at your own risk though... I don't want anyone blaming me for getting arrested or anything. Haha.

3. Make a wallet out of tape: A wallet? Out of tape? Awesome. I love duct tape stuff. But this project uses different types of tape to make it more interesting. The video shows detailed instructions but feel free to divert and create your own pockets and designs.

Of course, their site Makezine.com showcases several other cool projects. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and make something!

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