V-Flyer

Hey everyone!

So, for those that weren't aware, to coincide with their 21st birthday, Virgin have started podcasting.

For those who don't know what on earth I'm talking about, it's basically a way for them to 'broadcast' information/music/etc. to your ipod, for you to listen to whenever you want.
Through searching around, the company behind it also have a web log for those interested in following any developments, available here, and even sites such as Asia Travel Tips have picked up on it...

Now, here's the cool bit - Virgin are inviting people to make suggestions on what they'd like to be able to download/listen to in the future. The first podcast is the New York Destination Guide.

Since there's an open offer from VS to suggest what we'd like them to provide in future - let's hear some thoughts!


Anyone for an opening offer...? [:D][;)]

Interesting thought, Paul [:)]

I can't remember life before my iPod [:I].

I assume music podcasts run into copyright problems, but once they have covered destination guides, maybe they could do an up to date guide to whats on V-port? or the current menus?

Is the technology there to do Ch 9 broadcasts of the air traffic talk, I wonder?

I think Podcasts, are the future. I will give it some thought.

Nick

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
maybe they could do an up to date guide to whats on V-port? or the current menus?

Hadn't even considered that! [y][:D]

So... what about

You know you're flying on VSxx next week - you log on, and download the 'flight guide' for your route, to get a preview of what's on board! Before you've even left home, you've been able to listen to the entertainment guide and food selections (duty free offers?) for your specific flight. - very cool [8D]

I saw this with interest on the website today and I must say I am all for it. I would definately like to see up to date destination information for all destinations.

How about an audio version of SRB's book?

What about walking city-tours...? [8D]

One thing that was omitted from the New York podcast was the 'Top 10 places to stay.' After all, I don't think many restaurants offer accommodation! [;)]

Yes its a great idea and could be wonderful ... though only for PC at the moment and disappointing that the Mac compatible podcasts will come after. Shame that Virgin did it this was around when its such a Mac fan and puts them into the club houses for example.

How many Mac users are there out there?

Slinky, I'm a Mac user, and I have it on very good authority that an OSX version is on it's way very soon... [;)]

In the meantime, it's possible to directly download the mp3's and load them into itunes.

New competition launched for FC members online in sync with the launch of the service - win an iPod mini [:D]

Have to log into your FC account to access the competition, but direct link is here

tough question to win the iPod mini.. but would make a nice gift to my relatives if i won it. prefer the grown up version myself.

on the nature of content.. music from V2 label shouldn't be much of a copyright should it ?

latest local news for each destination, perhaps updated every couple of days, with the hot local issues.

or a guide to what's on in the coming week in each place, an audio version of Time Out..

Something like the bbcs irregular broadcast response to frequent customers complaints and concerns. And the steps VS is taking to deal with the issues.

Could be brought out quarterly and introduced by SRB

I'm not usually too bad on the technology front, but podcasting is confusing the hell out of me![xx(]

Well, a little update -

(I've been waiting for this for a while!) The Mac OSX Listener is now available! [y][:D]

... along with the new destination guide, too. [;)]

Originally posted by preiffer
Well, a little update -

(I've been waiting for this for a while!) The Mac OSX Listener is now available! [y][:D]

... along with the new destination guide, too. [;)]

Couldn't you have just hooked up the podcast to iTunes?

Originally posted by VS-EWR
Couldn't you have just hooked up the podcast to iTunes?

Yup, but it doesn't subscribe to anything that's not a 'true' itunes Podcast. Only the NYC one featured on their catalog.

Originally posted by preiffer
Well, a little update -

(I've been waiting for this for a while!) The Mac OSX Listener is now available! [y][:D]

... along with the new destination guide, too. [;)]

Thanks for that news ... three months later hurrah!

Podcasting on a PC is a bit like the dark side [:)]

[quote]Originally posted by Nottingham Nick

I assume music podcasts run into copyright problems

Absolutely right Nick - As someone who works in the broadcast industry there is a copyright issue when it comes to music.


It's broken down into 2 sections :

Commercial Music (Chart, Rock, Rap, Dance etc ... In fact anything you'd buy in a shop)

Take it from me trying to clear this type of music for AV use is an absolute nightmare which involves Artist, Writer, Publisher, plus PRS & MCPS. All of whom need to agree, and then being paid !

Library Music (What you hear behind radio/TV Commercials and which is available to broadcasters only)

This is much easier as it involves a one off fee to use in what is termed a libray music track. That's why you'll hear loads more of this stuff on in -flight adverts etc ...


Then there's payment to PRS for performance on an aircraft

Last time I checked a couple of years ago, when I was asked to quote for an in flight radio feature, I found out that airlines paid a flat fee, per passenger per flight to play the music you hear on in flight systems. Don't quote me but I have a feeling it was in the region of £70 per passenger.

I would suspect that the larger airlines line Virgin & BA do what is called a buyout with PRS & MCPS on a yearly basis to keep that cost down.

So think of the money they're saving when the IFE is out of action !

The listener's just added Johannesburg [y]


So, the list of destination guides is now at:

New York
Shanghai
Cuba
Johannesburg

Could they do a podcsat of the inverse whitenoise of a screaming child, so the next time one of them pipes up I can use it to cancel out the racket? I'm sure there would be a few takers.... [:)]

Thanks,
Richard

For those of you that care to disagree with it, the London Destination Guide is now live... [:p]

...along with one for Dubai [}:)]

Thanks for pointing that out Paul. Tacky me likes the different voices on the city guides!

Maybe VS could add a 'Digital Booklet' PDF file with a printed guide of the info in the Podcast.

FYI: Routemaster heritage routes

[:?] Am I missing the point of podcasts? Why is this different than just downloading an MP3 file? (Which is quick and simple) What is special about RSS or all this stuff..?

The main difference is that they are 'push' technology rather than 'pull' ie once you subscribe any updates, new broadcasts etc are sent to you automatically rather than you having to check periodically. So you don't miss anything.

Oh. Thanks. *shrug* Won't change my life...

Originally posted by McCoy
Oh. Thanks. *shrug* Won't change my life...

That's what they said about CD's... [;)][:p]