The term “Podcast” comes from combining “iPod” and “broadcast.” It is meant to rhyme with broadcasting and is a derived from the iPod platform. Podcasting was created by former MTV VJ Adam Curry.
Podcast is a series of digital media files, usually either digital audio or video, that is made available for download via web syndication. It means that special client software applications known as podcatchers (such as Apple Inc.'s iTunes or Nullsoft's Winamp) can automatically identify and retrieve new files in a series when they are made available, by accessing a centrally-maintained web feed that lists all files currently associated with that particular podcast.
The files thus automatically downloaded are then stored locally on the user's computer or other device, for offline use. This technology also can be used to push not only files, but software updates, pictures, and videos, etc.
Podcasting uses an XML-based technology called RSS, or Really Simple Syndication. Content publishers describe new content in an XML RSS file which includes dates, titles, descriptions, and links to MP3 files. This auto-generated file is called an RSS feed. The key to making podcasting work with RSS is enclosures, a feature supported by RSS 2.0
Like the term broadcast, podcast can refer either to the content itself or to the method by which the content is syndicated; the latter is also called podcasting. A podcaster is the person who creates the content.
Unlike time-shifted video software and devices like TiVo, podcasting is used for audio and is currently free of charge. Podcasting is made especial because it allows individuals to publish (podcast) radio shows, that interested listeners can subscribe to. Before podcasting you could of course record a radio show and put it on your website, but now anyone can automatically receive new shows, without having to go to a specific site and download it from there.
Podcasting became popular in late 2004, though the ability to distribute audio and video files easily has been around since before the dawn of the Internet. Many individuals and groups contributed to the emergence and popularity of podcasts.
The first audio file format used was MP3. Currently, (2009) it is still widely used while better (smaller files with same sound quality) formats exist (ie. Ogg Vorbis).
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