TiVo for PodCasts: RIP, Radio?

In the course of a few short weeks, my conservative attitude towards PodCasts (i.e.: “They’ll never work”) has been turned on its ear. I have now become a believer, and the Tao Wireless Media Player is the reason.

The Tao–a zippy black, contoured antiPod–eliminates the need to plug your portable media device into your computer to download songs, and allows you to “TiVo” your favorite PodCasts. It automatically detects wireless hotspots where you can download content and comes with an FM transmitter to use in your car or anywhere you want to share your collection.

This is a media revolution in a box: passive delivery of PodCasts means that they can now mimic the ease of reception present media outlets (read: radio) offer, but with massively customizable programming and content.

I did see it coming, but not so soon.

With a starting price of $349 for 20 gigs, the Tao could steal Apple’s core (sorry) market and change the face of radio as we know it IF it’s not too buggy and IF it gets proper marketing support.

To be realistic, Apple will probably develop a similar “TiVo for PodCasts” platform just to kill off the Tao’s only significant competitive advantage. But I still see this device as an important step forward for PodCasts as a medium, and I still want one.