Portable Podcasts

Our expert picks the best podcasts for mobile mavens.

By now, you've probably heard about podcasts, those downloadable MP3 files that are part radio program, part blog. But have you listened to any yet? If not, you're missing out on the dawn of a whole new medium--one that is particularly ideal for mobile professionals.

Many gadget-toting travelers listen to books on their digital audio players, or carry around their portable satellite radios. But podcasts are another thing entirely. First of all, podcasts are usually free. And they can be downloaded to your Apple IPod or other MP3 player for listening anytime. Podcasts can be extremely short (under 2 minutes), highly informative, thought provoking, and vastly entertaining.

On one hand, there are podcasts available on nearly every conceivable topic--sports, politics, news, the arts, health, lifestyle, sex--with more than a few available for, uh, specialized interests, such as "Bubba Bohack's Joke of the Day." On the other hand, some of the amateur podcasts I've heard are pointless at best, excruciatingly self-indulgent at worst. But either way, you've now got another option for entertainment on that next cross-country flight or long commuter train ride. And as I said, podcasts are usually free, people. What's not to love?

Here are some podcasts I've enjoyed, all of which are available for downloading from Apple's ITunes :

Apple ITunes is but one option; here are some others:

For more on podcasting, read Dan Tynan's " Singing the Blog Electric: Podcast Your Way to Stardom " and Steve Bass's " Podcasts and Screencasts ."

Mobile Computing News, Reviews, #00026 Tips

It was Oscar Wilde who said, "I can resist everything but temptation." That holds true, for me at least. Apple has replaced its best-selling IPod Mini line with the IPod Nano--and resisting the temptation to purchase one is not only futile, it's no fun at all.

One day after seeing pictures of the Nano online, and reading Walt Mossberg's glowing review inThe Wall Street Journal, I went to Apple.com and used 1-Click ordering. (Why beat around the bush?) Within seconds, I had arranged to have a black 4GB IPod Nano ($249) begin its journey toward my impatient, impulsive self.

Gripes? A few. The 14-hour battery life is 4 hours shy of the Mini's, and you only get 4GB of storage as opposed to the Mini's 6GB. But who gives a flip? The Nano (especially the black one) is a dazzler, with its super-thin profile, color screen, scroll wheel, the ability to display photos, and--a plus for runners, such as myself--a stopwatch function. I also purchased a gray armband ($29) to go with my black Nano.

So a word to the wise: Click this link at your own risk, and don't say you weren't warned.

For another take on the Nano, read Edward Albro's review, " Apple's Minuscule iPod Nano Dazzles ."

Toshiba's well-designed new Tecra M4-S515 convertible notebook is easy to use as a Tablet PC, and it has plenty of ports available in both tablet and laptop modes. However, our test unit's touchpad didn't function properly, though the eraserhead device worked fine. Our unit cost $2484. Read Carla Thornton's review for details.

The new DiskGo 2.5" Ultra Portable Hard Drive is a sleek, aluminum-encased hard drive designed for portable storage and backup. The hard drive is slim enough to slip into a pocket, gets its power from your computer's USB port, and comes in capacities from 20GB ($89) to 100GB ($220).

Is there a particularly cool mobile computing product or service I've missed? Got a spare story idea in your back pocket? Tell me about it . However, I regret that I'm unable to respond to tech-support questions, due to the volume of e-mail I receive.