Automatic podcastery possible?

September 24, 2007 9:02 AM

I want a device that I can keep in my car to listen to podcasts that will download new podcasts from my home Wifi by itself. Does this exist? If not, recommendations on making one?

My car has a 1/8" audio input in a compartment that is large enough for any handheld device. It also has a cigarette lighter plug so I can charge my device. Currently, I use an iPod, but I hate removing my ipod to sync it, and I want something with wifi that will just sync itself. The iPod touch does not seem to fit the bill because although it has wifi, it won't sync without being plugged into a computer. I can't seem to find any device that will do this.

8GB is the minimum storage I can live with. It must have a battery because the power goes off when the car is off, and that's when it would have an opportunity to sync. I can be flexible on the UI. I don't care about music: just podcasts.

Plan B is to buy a device and write the code myself. I was thinking the Nokia N800 upgraded to 16GB would do the job, but it's a little pricey. Better ideas?

posted by jewzilla to technology (15 comments total)

I thought this idea was pretty interesting when I read it a while ago but never thought about it again until this posting. It would probably have to entail some sort of video device, but damn would it be cool. Throw an in-dash display in and an AppleTV and you are set.
posted by B(oYo)BIES at 9:12 AM on September 24, 2007

I think the Archos 604 has wireless internet connection, can have a car adapter, and has 30gb storage.
posted by indigo4963 at 9:17 AM on September 24, 2007

The AppleTV idea is really cool, but it doesn't have a battery and is just way too big.

The Archos 604 doesn't seem to sync over Wifi. I hope I'm wrong about that because otherwise it looks really good.
posted by jewzilla at 9:25 AM on September 24, 2007

It looks like the Archos 604 does what you want, from BoYo's link. If it had a web browser then it would be the answer for me, as well.
posted by monkeymadness at 9:42 AM on September 24, 2007

but I hate removing my ipod to sync it, and I want something with wifi that will just sync itself.

They make USB over wifi devices for printers. They emulate USB and throw the data over the wifi connection. It theory this would work for you. You would of course have to find a way to power the wireless device, but that might be as simple as a 12volt to whatever adapter. I'm sure performance wont be great, but it might work well at a close range. I'm assuming you have a connected garage with a strong wireless signal in it.
posted by damn dirty ape at 10:01 AM on September 24, 2007

Here's one. USB wifi printer adapters probably work too.
posted by damn dirty ape at 10:03 AM on September 24, 2007

monkeymadness: BoYo's link doesn't mention the Archos at all...what are you seeing?

damn dirty ape: That would sort of work, but has flaws:
1) As you mention, powering the adapter would require rigging up a battery of my own.
2) Along the same lines, iPods have horrible electrical interference when recharging. I didn't mention this in my original post, but it's another reason I want to dump the iPod.
posted by jewzilla at 10:18 AM on September 24, 2007

Sorry, I meant indigo's link. My bad.
posted by monkeymadness at 10:22 AM on September 24, 2007

PocketPC? Might not have a great interface but it's fairly easy to sync up to a folder on your PC via Wifi. Or there may be some client that I'm not aware of.
posted by mphuie at 10:30 AM on September 24, 2007

Those USB over WiFi devices tend to be tailored specifically for printer protocols. I doubt they would work generically.

It's quite possible that someone will create something like this for the iPhone and iPod Touch as a 3rd party hack. I think it is asinine if Apple doesn't provide the functionality soon themselves.

You might also want to check out software for the nokia N800, or the older (and cheaper, if you can find it) N770.

I know that Dave Weiner dreams of a device that would fit your needs, but I don't think he's found it.

I haven't experienced interference problems with audio when charging my iPhone or iPods. What charger are you using? Maybe you need one that delivers cleaner power.
posted by Good Brain at 10:37 AM on September 24, 2007

monkeymadness: I just can't seen anything in indigo's link to support the theory that it syncs over wifi. It comes with a sync cable and nobody mentions that feature.
posted by jewzilla at 10:58 AM on September 24, 2007

"The 604 also offers Wi-Fi capability that lets you more easily transfer files to and from your Archos media player and other Wi-Fi enabled devices or computers."

From the text in the link
posted by stuartmm at 11:24 AM on September 24, 2007

Those USB over WiFi devices tend to be tailored specifically for printer protocols. I doubt they would work generically.

If you clicked on the link I posted you'd see that the wiranger does.
posted by damn dirty ape at 12:45 PM on September 24, 2007

Print servers won't work, but "USB device servers" will. I know Keyspan and Silex as two makers in this market, and Belkin's new "wireless USB hub" might do the trick too.
posted by Myself at 10:09 PM on September 24, 2007

PocketPC with a CF card would meet your 8GB minimum storage. The IPAQ 2215 series features both SD and CF card slots, so you could get a memory card in the CF slot and a wireless SD memory card.

I'm sure there are other PDAs out that have similar dual card slots ... or a CF slot with built-in wireless.
posted by indigo4963 at 8:35 AM on September 25, 2007