| ** Google Desktop Live ** | | | | Second, a new trend known as "pod casting" is |
| Google's free desktop search utility made it out | | | | getting set to explode. |
| of the "beta" stage and users can now download | | | | "Pod casting" involves content providers (radio |
| a finished 1.0 version from for free. | | | | dj's, entrepreneurs, columnists, musicians) creating |
| With improvements over the "beta" version | | | | MP3 audio content and then making it super |
| released in 2004, the finished version not only | | | | simple for listeners to automatically download |
| allows you to search your own computer for | | | | these "broadcasts" online and listen to them at |
| Microsoft Office documents, emails, and instant | | | | their convenience. |
| messaging history, but now supports music, video, | | | | The fact that consumers can now get their hands |
| images, PDF files, and the Firefox and Netscape | | | | on the equipment to download and listen to these |
| Web browsers. | | | | broadcasts so cheaply means a whole world of |
| In their never-ending quest to make their name | | | | amateur dj's and talk show hosts is about to hit |
| synonymous with "search," Google's Desktop | | | | the cyber-airwaves. |
| Search utility makes a bold step towards | | | | Though you've heard rumblings about it, and |
| dominating the desktop search market. | | | | people are grasping around in the dark trying to |
| Available for Windows XP and Windows 2000, | | | | get a grip on how to implement it, now you can |
| Google's desktop search remains miles ahead of | | | | actually plan to see and hear about the |
| MSN and Yahoo!, who released their own beta | | | | widespread use of "pod casting" in the very near |
| version desktop search utilities several months | | | | future since a potential audience of listeners with |
| after Google. | | | | the right equipment is now set to grow. |
| Google also chose to create an environment | | | | ** Associated Press Offers RSS Feeds ** |
| friendly to third-party software developers by | | | | The Associated Press now offers RSS feeds of |
| encouraging them to develop "plug ins" that | | | | their top news stories. RSS (Real Simple |
| expand the capabilities of their Desktop Search | | | | Syndication) makes it possible for content |
| application. | | | | providers to offer instant updates to their readers |
| By allowing others to add their "two-cents" to the | | | | without sending email. |
| program, Google will further cement their position | | | | Anyone with an RSS reader such as FeedDemon |
| as the leader in this emerging field of "desktop" | | | | ( can receive and read RSS feeds. |
| search. | | | | Traditionally, the Associated Press marketed their |
| ** MP3 Player Wars Boiling Over ** | | | | services exclusively to newspapers and online |
| In response to Apple's iPod Shuffle, a low priced | | | | sources such as Yahoo! News. |
| flash memory MP3 audio player, Sony announced | | | | Now, by offering their RSS feeds directly to |
| plans to offer a comparably low priced MP3 player | | | | consumers at the Associated Press is obviously |
| in the $100 to $150 range. | | | | seeking to bypass online news sources and go |
| This in response to complaints from consumers | | | | directly to the consumer. |
| that Sony's past MP3 player offerings rated too | | | | The fact that the world's oldest and largest news |
| expensive next to the feature-rich iPod. | | | | source has chosen to start offering content this |
| Consumers can expect several developments in | | | | way demonstrates quite clearly that RSS is fast |
| response to Sony's entry into the "Under $150" | | | | coming of age as an acceptable |
| MP3 player market. | | | | mass-communication medium and that widespread |
| First, increased use of the portable players will | | | | consumer adoption is imminent. |
| cause related businesses selling the actual MP3's | | | | Soon, there'll be an RSS reader on every |
| and accessories to experience continued growth, | | | | computer desktop and the use of RSS will |
| both online and offline. | | | | become as widespread as email. |