When corporations like Disney and Whirlpool start speaking at corporate summits on podcasting then clearly podcasting is no longer solely in the realm of the 'techie".

The (usage and uptake) stats about podcasting, ipods and MP3 players are impressive, for example...

1. A projected 25% increase in the download of podcasting files in the next 6 months of 2006.

2. There are currently 50 Million ipods in the world (note that this figure only includes Apple's ipods).

3. The existing podcast material available on the net just cannot satisfy the demand for podcast downloads.

Commercial history is now repeating itself. When video was first released there was a HUGE demand for "How To" information.

Fast forward 30 years and it's now a HUGE demand for "podcasting" (and ipods).

Change "video" to "ipod". Change "how to" to "download". I think you get the picture?

It's not the technology that matters here, it's what's being requested... content (or solutions to problems).

Whichever spin you put on this, years later it's the same ole, same ole... "Every Business Is In the Problem Solving Business" - (Marketing Principle #3).