Sep 16, 2008
Podcaster: what you’re missing in the app Apple rejected
In light of last week’s controversy over Podcaster, pal Niall took a deeper look inside the App Store process for developers, and what may lead to some apps being rejected. I got a chance to check out Podcaster and kick its wheels a bit — it’s definitely early software, but I can certainly say it’s a real shame the app is getting pushback from Apple (besides all the obvious reasons). If you’re anything like me, podcasts are the content on your device that is most frequently changed or updated, and the inability to do this over the air (or even over WiFi) seems like both a misstep on Apple’s part, as well as a huge opportunity — which appears to be roadblocked. Think I’ll be writing more about this whole thing soon.
I'm an editor and technology critic in the midst of founding a new web startup: 
I think the larger problem this addresses is the fact that the iphone can only be synced with one computer. Unless you’re a road warrior you can’t update your podcasts until you get home, and even if you have a laptop you’ll have to wipe your phone to sync on the road. This would have been a great solution.
Have you had the time to check out Cydia? Is it really an Open Source iPhone App Store? Used here in Telesphoreo:
http://www.saurik.com/id/1
Hopped on the ad hoc shortly after the story broke. Nice little app, and it does fill a glaring hole. Shame apple blocked it.
Somewhat related, why do they allow free content downloads via the app store, yet not through itunes on the device?
I have been saying this forever, podcasts are the reason for wireless PMP. Eventually i would like to see ITMS become a Web App so there would be no one computer to sync with, though i doubt Apple has any plans to do this.