I think it is very important that we all keep talking about the future of the podcasting process of distributing mobile audio content. The discussion about mobile media is much bigger than just the iPod platform on which the podcasting house of cards is built on.

The podcasting name has been entrenched in the culture and news media and will not be going away anytime soon. It just seems like we need to start shifting the discussion in a different direction that is more inclusive of other devices and platforms. I think the name podcasting should be used to describe the iPod process only and the type of grassroots media type that it has been popularized for the type of content that travels on this distribution process.

I do think though we all need to accept the fact that mobile media distribution is much bigger than the podcasting name. I regularly talk to people who think that podcasting is an iPod process only. I tell them no, but then they always ask why is it named podcasting after they know it works with the Windows Media player and on all the other mobile media enabled devices. People are just plain confused by the podcasting name.

I also know that the major media broadcasters are perplexed by the name as well. I do think the major broadcasters are not going to want to use the name podcasting as the broadcasting name for there broadcasts as they are all advertising based and using a name like podcasting is promoting a particular device platform the “iPod”. Apple spends millions on media advertising and I just don’t think they will want to give Apple the free advertising.

If we want this way of audio distribution to really succeed we need start moving the name for this process to a more generic name like “Mobilecast” or “Mobilecasting”. This word phrase is much more descriptive of the process and is not linked to a particular branded mobile player device.

Just my 2 cents. I am trying to spread the word and spark a discussion on the issue. I know that I am not the only one who feels this way as I have heard from many podcasters who have quietly talked about this issue for months now.