Anyone for some Podcasting or Podcatching with Virgin Atlantic?

To coincide with the 21st anniversary of its inaugural flight to New York, Virgin Atlantic is introducing a novel concept called ‘Podcasting’.

To coincide with the 21st anniversary of its inaugural flight to New York, Virgin Atlantic is introducing a novel concept called ‘Podcasting’.

Podcasting is the latest way of distributing audio content via the Internet, and Virgin Atlantic is apparently the first UK company to create Podcast specific content and to produce a branded Podcatcher, which is the software needed to download the Podcast.

The first Podcast from Virgin Atlantic is a series of four audio guides to New York, which begin with a guide to the ten best restaurants there.  The second is an insider’s guide to shopping, the third is all about ‘off-the-beaten-track’ New York, and the fourth is a guide to the ten ‘must do’ activities on a first trip to the Big Apple.

According to Virgin Atlantic, Podcasting is transforming the way people use their iPod and other MP3 players, as it enables them to download content and listen to it at a time that suits them – whether they are travelling, in the gym, walking the dog or relaxing at home.

The Podcatcher gives users the option to automatically receive new content and have it synched to their MP3 player, such as iPod, or software, such as iTunes.  Other Podcatcher software does already exist but the Virgin Atlantic Podcatcher has been specifically designed to bring Podcasting to a whole new audience as the medium develops beyond its core early adopters.

The Virgin Atlantic Podcatcher and host site were created by Loudish, a UK-based company specialising in software and infrastructure for the mass delivery of Podcasts.

“The innovative Podcast is a great way to reach lots of their travellers with their excellent and informative content,” contends Phillip Whelan of Loudish.

Virgin Atlantic’s Podcasts are to be followed by guides to other destinations as well as more in-depth broadcasts on ‘anything and everything’ to do with Virgin’s destinations, from live radio shows to what’s on guides and personal experiences.