Podcasts are understandably becoming more popular as access to technology becomes widely available. One limitation to podcasts are the need for a portable media player such as an iPod or a computer to listen to them. While this is fine, there are times when you may not be around a computer or maybe you haven’t dropped a few hundred bucks on a fancy new MP3 player. What is a podcast listener to do?
Fonpods has an answer. It is the combination of new internet technology with an old communication device. Whether you have a traditional land based telephone or a fancy new mobile phone you can now listen to your favorite podcasts easily over your phone. The concept is simple. You create an account and pick your favorite podcasts, then at your convenience you dial their call in number and listen. According to their site:
- Listen to podcasts anywhere, anytime!
- No additional purchases or equipment are needed.
- Listen to select podcast favorites instantly — no tedious computer downloads or software plug-ins are required.
- Sign up and create your own custom podcast program list.
- Upload your own podcasts to the Fonpods catalog.
While the service is completely free to use, you do have to keep in mind any possible calling charges. If you use a mobile phone, airtime charges will apply, just as a land-line may have long-distance charges. But with the availability of unlimited calling plans available or plans with thousands of minutes included it may indeed be completely free.
What is also a great feature is that you can just as easily listen to podcasts right on the Fonpods website. So you have the flexibility to create a playlist and access it on your computer or when you’re on the road. For example, I usually dial into Fonpods in the morning when I hop in the car to head to the office. I have a bit of a commute and the radio is hardly worth tuning into. So, I fire up my cell phone and pop on my bluetooth headset and listen to The Wall Street Journal’s Your Money Matters segment. It lasts around five minutes each day and covers many personal finance issues that I talk and read about daily.
So whether you’re new to podcasts or addicted to them you may want to check out Fonpods. I find it is a great compliment to using the computer and I’ve discovered a few new podcasts on the site that I have added to regular listening. I have also stumbled upon a few podcasts put together by personal finance bloggers on the site. So if you currently have your own podcast, putting it on Fonpods might help you generate a few more listeners.
Author: Jeremy Vohwinkle
My name is Jeremy Vohwinkle, and I’ve spent a number of years working in the finance industry providing financial advice to regular investors and those participating in employer-sponsored retirement plans.
