There’s been a lot of discussion since the announcement of the Apple iPad over Apple’s decision to not include Flash support on the device.

Apple hasn’t officially explained its decision – but it’s clear that the company wants to marginalize Flash and push a standards-based Web.

Within Apple, though, Steve Jobs minces no words about Adobe and Flash:

They are lazy, Jobs says. They have all this potential to do interesting things but they just refuse to do it. They don’t do anything with the approaches that Apple is taking, like Carbon. Apple does not support Flash because it is so buggy, he says. Whenever a Mac crashes more often than not it’s because of Flash.

No one will be using Flash, he says. The world is moving to HTML5.

Most technology analysts see the lack of Flash support on the iPad as a liability.

But most tech analysts thought the same thing about Apple’s decision to drop the disk drive from the iMac.

And – while Flash is notoriously absent from the iPhone – millions of users don’t seem to care.

Daring Fireballs’ John Gruber responded to the iPad Flash discussion by pointing out the logical direction ahead for developers and content publishers:

Used to be you could argue that Flash, whatever its merits, delivered content to the entire audience you cared about. That’s no longer true, and Adobe’s Flash penetration is shrinking with each iPhone OS device Apple sells.

What’s Hulu going to do? Sit there and wait? Whine about the blue boxes? Or do the practical thing and write software that delivers video to iPhone OS?

The answer is obvious. Hulu doesn’t care about what’s good for Adobe. They care about what’s good for Hulu. Hulu isn’t a Flash site, it’s a video site. Developers go where the users are.

If you’re using Flash to publish media – it’s time to look into other options.

Flash is dead. The iPad is its tombstone.

Blubrry has released PowerPress 1.05, an update to its free podcast syndication plugin for WordPress.

The release includes several new features and addresses multiple bugs.

PowerPress lets users embed audio and video podcasts into their WordPress sites and create correctly formatted feeds for syndication.

Changes in this version:

• Added new ‘Podcast Permalinks’ option in Basic Settings so users can map example.com/podcast/ to a static page or category.
• Renamed jquery.cookie.js to jquery.c.js to prevent Apache mod_security from detecting the word ‘cookie’ as a possible threat.
• Additional code added for some cases where previous PodPress data was stored serialized twice over. PowerPress now un-serializes the PodPress data twice if necessary.
• Added option to Disable Media Player for known mobile devices such as iPhone, Android, Palm Pre and Blackberry phones.
• Fixed bug with play in new window only using the default player.
• Fixed bug with AudioPlay flash player not linking to media file.
• Fixed bug with iTunes ping results for podcast categories and channels displaying the default feed results.
• Fixed bug with iTunes duration not displaying in edit screen after saving. (entered values are now saved if auto detect fails)
• Displaying default podcast category feed title below feed title field for reference.
• Displaying default podcast category landing page URL below Landing Page field for reference.
• Added note in the iTunes New Feed URL setting which feed the setting is applied to.
• Added option to allow manually setting the iTunes author name on a per episode basis.
• Updated Flash players to support URLs with spaces by urlencoding the URL values.
• Added better error reporting for AJAX ‘Verify’ button failures.
• Relabeled “Import Movable Type/Blogger/Joomla/TypePad Episodes” to “Import from other Blogging Platform”.
• PodPress Import screen now includes a media file extension filter.
• PodPress Import now includes the m4v video cover images.
• PodPress Import “Select Only” specific columns feature.
• Other Blogging Platform Import “Select Only” specific columns feature.
• PowerPress shortcode [powerpress] now documented within the Appearance Settings tab.
• Warning added to “Auto Add Media” setting that the Duration (total play time) will not be detected.
• Added link to PodcastFAQ.com to footer and “Tools” page.
• All Podcast Channels must be deleted before disabling the Advanced Option.
• Fixed bug where Custom Channels with blank titles did not appear in list.
• Fixed bug where WordPress 2.6 PowerPress users have a disabled WordPress dashboard caused by missing wp_add_dashboard_widget() function.
• Diagnostics now tests that the temporary directory exists and is writable.
• Diagnostics Email results are now printed in the page after sending.
• Diagnostics now includes the title, version and URL of active plugins.

There’s been a lot of debate about the merits of the new Apple iPad since it was announced.

While tech analysts and first adopters are debating the iPad’s strengths and weaknesses, though, it looks like Steve Jobs may have Google, Microsoft, Nintendo, Adobe & Hulu scared that the device could end up being a another hit like the iPod & iPhone:

• Google CEO Eric Schmidt is dismissive of the form-factor of the iPhone, saying “You might want to tell me the difference between a large phone and a tablet.”
• Microsoft is dismissive of the iPad, calling the platform”humorous”;
• Ninendo President also dismisses the iPad, saying “It was a bigger iPod touch”, and “There were no surprises.”
• Adobe brought out the big guns, suggesting that the iPad wouldn’t be able to view pornographic movies because of its lack of Flash support.

Meanwhile, Hulu CEO Jason Kilar says that they are very seriously thinking about creating Hulu apps for the iPad, saying “Mobile is a monster – we are very bullish. We will embrace any device.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Charlie Brooker does an amazing job, in two minutes, of explaining How To Report The News.

While Brooker does not delve deeply into technical details, there’s much here that would be of use to anyone creating user-generated media.

Note: The bit at 1:37 may make you blow your beverage out your nose.

via stretta

Podcast fans are a fantastic audience for advertisers to reach, according to a new report from Edison Research and the Association for Downloadable Media (ADM).

Podcast fans are well off financially, they pay attention to ads in podcasts, they’re hard to reach with traditional advertising and they are 6 times as likely to “enjoy” the ads in podcasts as consumers of traditional media.

In other words – people that can afford to turn away from “interruption” style advertising are doing so, and opt-in podcasts are one of the few ways to connect with them.

Highlights of the Podcast Consumer Attitudes study include:

• Podcast fans are significantly more affluent than general population.
• Podcast fans are rapidly tuning away from traditional media and “interruption” advertising models.
• 37% of video podcast users and 31% of audio podcast users say they *enjoy* advertising in podcasts. By comparison, only 6% say same of TV and radio.
• Podcasts confer on their advertisers and sponsors a “halo effect; podcast fans give props to the advertiser for sponsoring a show they like.
• Over 70% of active podcast listeners are receptive to sponsorship messages in podcasts.

If further research confirms the findings of this survey, podcast fans could prove to be the ultimate audience for many advertisers.

Check out the detail below and let me know what you think. Is it time for advertisers to take another look at podcasts?

Click here to view the embedded video.

In this video, Tom Webster, VP of Strategy and Marketing for Edison Research, presents of the recently completed ADM study of Podcast Consumers Attitudes.

Other highlights of the research:

• One in five active podcast consumers are actively interested in host-read sponsorship messages. Survey respondents believe that podcast hosts/creators are actual users of the goods and services of their sponsors.
• Nearly 4/5 of the survey interviewees listen to podcasts every week, but are not as reachable by other “regular” mass media.
• Podcast fans say it is not just important to be able to “time-shift” their podcast and other media consumption; nearly equally important is the ability to get unique shows [not available outside of podcast medium].
• 90% of those surveyed prefer advertising supported shows vs. ad-free paid subscriptions.
• 3/4 of the respondents use iTunes to find and subscribe and 66% have been listening/watching podcasts for 2 years or more

According to Webster, This study is a “self-selected sample of active podcast consumers. The story is not that they represent the mainstream — it’s that they don’t represent the mainstream, are turning away from traditional media, but are still very receptive to podcast advertising. They aren’t just ‘ad-haters’.”

The Podcast Consumer Attitudes study is the first of a series of studies that will look at consumer attitudes and behavior concerning online video and audio, social media and Twitter.

Image: Lock, stock and 2 smoking barrels!!

Need proof that podcasts inspire dedicated fans?

Then check this out – the podcast team of Keith Malley and Chemda hit a milestone as Jesse Smith became the 50th fan of the Keith and The Girl podcast to get a tattoo or branding.

This 19-year-old tattooed the letters KATG, in honor of his favorite show, onto the inside of his lower lip. Jesse, a listener of the show for almost 5 years, is about to join the Air Force, and is a dedicated fan of Keith and Chemda.

There are now 48 people who have a Keith and The Girl themed tattoo and 2 others who have branded their skin.

Most notable are Richard Ochoa and Michael Garod.

• Richard has added so many KATG tattoos on his arm that it’s now known as The KATG Sleeve – a mural of KATG references.
• Michael Garod has a huge branding of the KATG logo on his right torso. To create the branding Michael had to endure the outline being cut into his skin that was then slowly filled in by permanently burning his flesh with an electric gun over a period of hours. The event was captured on a recent Keith and The Girl TV episode, which is so barftacular that we embedded it below for your very much viewing pleasure.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Note: This video is not safe for the weak of stomach. Contains graphic scenes of Keith & the Girl intern Michael Garod getting his chest branded with a Keith & the Girl logo.

Keith and The Girl, a popular comedy podcast that has published over 1100 episodes, features comedian Keith Malley and singer Chemda, discussing their lives and current events.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs today introduced the Apple iPad – a new multimedia pad that promises to carve out a new category for mobile computing.

“This is best gadget ever made,” says early user Jason Calacanis,  “and NOT overhyped.” *

It’s conceptually a large iPod touch – but it’s really a new operating system, optimized for both the larger hardware and the types of tasks your likely to want to do on the iPad.

Apple demonstrated typical Internet tasks, including Web surfing, email and more, and also introduced versions of its iWork apps for the iPad.

Versions will be available with and without 3G wireless networking, and a $30/month unlimited 3G plan will be available from AT&T. It will be unlocked, though, so it can be used with other wireless vendors.

Apple also introduced a new section for the iTunes store, iBookStore, which will sell iPad-formatted ebooks.

Apple iPad Features:

• 9.7″ Full capacitive multitouch screen
• .5″ thick
• 1 GHz Apple A4 processor
• 16GB-GB Flash storage
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• WiFi 802.11n
• Built-in speaker, microphone, 30-pin connectors
• Accelerometer
• Compass
• 10 hour battery life in use
• Runs all iPhone apps
• 3G wireless options, with a $30/month unlimited plan

Pricing:

• Wifi models
  • 16GB – $499
  • 32GB – $599
  • 64GB -$699
• 3G models
  • 16GB – $629
  • 32GB – $729
  • 64GB -$829

Apple plans to ship the iPad in 60 days, with the 3G models shipping in 90 days.

In addition, Apple released the SDK for the Apple iPad today. Apple did not make any announcements regarding new tools for developing media for the iPad.

Here’s Apple’s press release for the iPad:

Apple today introduced iPad, a revolutionary device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more. iPad’s responsive high-resolution Multi-Touch™ display lets users physically interact with applications and content. iPad is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds- thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook. iPad includes 12 new innovative apps designed especially for the iPad, and will run almost all of the over 140,000 apps in the App Store. iPad will be available in late March starting at the breakthrough price of just $499.

“iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”

iPad features 12 next-generation Multi-Touch applications. Every app works in both portrait and landscape, automatically animating between views as the user rotates iPad in any direction. The precise Multi-Touch interface makes surfing the web on iPad an entirely new experience, dramatically more interactive and intimate than on a computer. Reading and sending email is fun and easy on iPad’s large screen and almost full-size “soft” keyboard. Import photos from a Mac, PC or digital camera, see them organized as albums, and enjoy and share them using iPad’s elegant slideshows. Watch movies, TV shows and YouTube, all in HD or flip through pages of an e-book you downloaded from Apple’s new iBookstore while listening to your music collection.

iPad runs almost all of the over 140,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased for your iPhone or iPod touch. The iTunes Store gives you access to the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store with a catalog of over 11 million songs, over 50,000 TV episodes and over 8,000 films including over 2,000 in stunning high definition video. Apple also announced the new iBooks app for iPad, which includes Apple’s new iBookstore, the best way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device. The iBookstore will feature books from major and independent publishers.

Apple also introduced a new version of iWork® for iPad, the first desktop-class productivity suite designed specifically for Multi-Touch. With Pages®, Keynote® and Numbers® you can create beautifully formatted documents, stunning presentations with animations and transitions, and spreadsheets with charts, functions and formulas. The three apps will be available separately through the App Store for $9.99 each.

iPad syncs with iTunes just like the iPhone and iPod touch, using the standard Apple 30-pin to USB cable, so you can sync all of your contacts, photos, music, movies, TV shows, applications and more from your Mac or PC. All the apps and content you download on iPad from the App Store, iTunes Store and iBookstore will be automatically synced to your iTunes library the next time you connect with your computer.

iPad’s brilliant 9.7-inch, LED-backlit display features IPS technology to deliver crisp, clear images and consistent color with an ultra-wide 178 degree viewing angle. The highly precise, capacitive Multi-Touch display is amazingly accurate and responsive whether scrolling web pages or playing games. The intelligent soft keyboard pioneered on iPhone takes advantage of iPad’s larger display to offer an almost full-size soft keyboard. iPad also connects to the new iPad Keyboard Dock with a full-size traditional keyboard.

iPad is powered by A4, Apple’s next-generation system-on-a-chip. Designed by Apple, the new A4 chip provides exceptional processor and graphics performance along with long battery life of up to 10 hours.* Apple’s advanced chemistry and Adaptive Charging technology deliver up to 1,000 charge cycles without a significant decrease in battery capacity over a typical five year lifespan.**

iPad comes in two versions-one with Wi-Fi and the other with both Wi-Fi and 3G. iPad includes the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi, and the 3G versions support speeds up to 7.2 Mbps on HSDPA networks. Apple and AT&T announced breakthrough 3G pre-paid data plans for iPad with easy, on-device activation and management.

Continuing Apple’s dedication to designing and creating environmentally responsible products, each iPad enclosure is made of highly recyclable aluminum and comes standard with energy-efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. iPad contains no brominated flame retardants and is completely PVC-free.

Apple today released a new Software Development Kit (SDK) for iPad, so developers can create amazing new applications designed to take advantage of iPad’s capabilities. The SDK includes a simulator that lets developers test and debug their iPad apps on a Mac, and also lets developers create Universal Applications that run on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

Pricing & Availability

iPad will be available in late March worldwide for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model. The Wi-Fi + 3G models of iPad will be available in April in the US and selected countries for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad will be sold in the US through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. International pricing and worldwide availability will be announced at a later date. iBookstore will be available in the US at launch.

*Apple tested wireless battery life by browsing web pages and receiving email over an AirPort network, never letting the system go to sleep during the test, and keeping the display at half brightness. This is a typical scenario of use on the go, resulting in a battery performance number that is very relevant to mobile users.

**A properly maintained iPad battery is designed to retain 80 percent or more of its original capacity during a lifespan of up to 1,000 recharge cycles. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings.

*Note: Jason Calacanis was actually hyping the iPad.

via engadget, Apple, Jason Calacanis

Two recent Apple introductions – iTunes LP & Apple TV – are interesting technologies but have failed to wow customers.

The main reason for this has been a lack of content. Only a tiny number of albums are available as iTunes LP releases. And Apple TV is crippled by the paucity of content on it.

The Apple iPad is likely to be an ideal ereader & multimedia player. But it won’t take off until there are multimedia ebooks, movies and music media packages for it.

Because of this, it’s likely that Steve Jobs will introduce a new publishing application today – an application that’s designed to create content for the Apple Tablet, but also for Apple TV, iPods and Macs.

“The focus is going to be on content creation and participation,” according to a technologist with ties to Apple quoted by Wired. “If the tablet is going to be an answer to things like the Kindle, which are purely about consumption, what you’re going to see is Apple is going to be full-blown about creation.”

Could Steve Jobs’ “one more thing” today be a new publishing application – the GarageBand of multimedia?

Image: Fotoboer.nl

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Pigeon: Impossible video podcast takes a look at what goes into making a 3D animated cartoon short.

The cartoon, above, has received over 3 million views on YouTube alone. It’s a comic romp on the idea of a secret agent getting sidelined by a pigeon.

The “making of” video podcast for Pigeon: Impossible is embedded below.

Click here to view the embedded video.