Podcatching options on the Nokia N800
As we alluded on the last MobileTechRoundup podcast, the Nokia N800 is quite a usable Internet device. It easily handles the basic web functions that most folks need. The recently added Rhapsody music service is a fantastic experience but I’m also interested in listening to podcasts. Unfortunately, I was having a hard time finding a podcatcher, so I asked "The Twitter Borg", i.e.: the collective brain of my Twitter friends. Here’s what they came up with in just a few minutes time…
- Doug mentioned Canola (shown above), which I just installed a little while ago. Canola is a wonderful app with tons of media player features: audio, video and photos. The fluid touch interface reminds me of the Origami Experience on Vista UMPCs. While there is podcast support in Canola via RSS, you can only stream the audio: there’s no support for podcatching and downloading files when you’re off-line. However, with so many other features, this one’s a keeper for now.
- Mike offered up iTunes Agent: this app allows you to synch iTunes files between a host PC and a non-iPod device. This solution has the host PC do all of the podcatching so that you can listen to ‘casts on the N800 after you synch. As Mike said, "an indirect" podcatcher.
- Jonathan shares gpodder, which has the most promise, but is less of a "click to install" approach. I doubt most techy N800 owners will take issue with that, but you will need to install python prior to installing gpodder. This is something I’ll have to try because it appears to be closer to a solution (if not the solution) to the problem I’m looking to solve.
Yes I would say Gpodder is the one. You will likely have to plug in all the feeds as I have yet to get it to suck in a opml file from any other reader. One more that is out there, but you better have a BIG memory card or a log file from another machine is bashpodder. Bashpodder should work, but you will need the xterminal and wget installed. It’s not very elegant, but it does work.
The Nokia 770 and n800 really need great podcatching software and right now, gpodder is the only thing. The thing I do like about gpodder is I can CHOOSE which file to download that way I am not suckign down more then I can chew on a slow wifi feed (cafe or hotel…)
Gpodder for sure, it sucks down 50+mb files with ease and as the previous poster stated you can select which podcast you want. I use this mostly, canola is ok but the reliance on being connected for a subway rider like me makes it no go. It is not hard to install but for a non techie user it might be a little confusing.
Can I talk one of you into posting a quick tutorial on how to load a linux program into the N800?
Hi guys,
Have you chaps looked at the Archos 704 WiFi yet?
http://www.archos.com/products/video/archos_704wifi/index.html?country=global&lang=en
It totally kicks botty in my humble. If you are into gadgets as I am you need a hands-on. It is gorgeoooouuus!! Solid metal, wafer thin and does the Internet, all with a built in 80GB HD and full media playing capabilities.
Of course, it costs.
But then I am a slave to my addiction.
Simon