Microsoft’s Sync and Go for audio and video synchronization to the Pocket PC platform has now been officially shut down. As a Sync and Go subscriber this is a sad day for many reasons. The biggest one is the loss of a very cool podcasting like audio and video application that 10’s of thousands of Pocket PC users used everyday to get content delivered from MSNBC, NPR, Forbes, MSN, Ken Radio, WebTalk and others. The other sad part is that those Pocket PC users never got any notification of the cancellation and have no migration path to any new technology platform. Subscribers will just stop getting new content when they ActiveSync the device.

The “if only” phrase keeps coming to mind. It is sad that Microsoft did not take advantage of the clear opportunity to extend the platform to include video and audio podcasting. I know that I am really biased about the opportunity because of being a content provider to Sync and Go, but it was so clearly an opportunity for Microsoft to counter the mind share and market share lead that Apple iTunes and Yahoo now has in the marketplace.

I just thought that many of you listen to this show with Sync and Go and would all like to know that it has been put to death.

Rob Greenlee

I know many bloggers are podcasters, but it seems like the podcaster voice is missing from this podcast tracking discussion involving Audible’s Wordcast.

Mitch Ratcliffe has been leading a hot debate with bloggers online. Mitch has been doing audio programs online for many years and has been a co-host on WebTalk Radio for over 6 years. Mitch was also involved in the creation of the streaming audio and video site called the On24 Financial News Network that delivered more audio and video content online then just about anyone. Mitch has cut his teeth in the media business more then most of the people bashing Audible’s new podcaster support technology.

This discussion about Wordcast is an area that needs to be debated by podcasters and broadcasters. Mitch has my respect to discuss this topic, but I am just not sure that guys like Dave Winer, Om Malik and Rex Hammock really have the knowledge and background to really know what is best for the wide range of content providers coming into the podcasting space.

We need guys like Adam Curry, Todd Cochrane, Chris Pirillo, Leo Laporte, Dave Van Dyke and David Lawrence involved in this discussion. I want to hear from those guys and the major Internet advertising networks. I believe that they are not in this discussion because it is a no brainer that things need to move the direction that Audible is taking the industry.