Amplifi CEO Steven Goldstein ‘test drove’ the Amazon Echo Auto, a first step toward understanding “how in-car listening is likely to change” once smart speaker technology finds its way into our cars. The device’s debut is “a little clunky in its first iteration,” its performance “promising but erratic.”
Goldstein explains that the Echo Auto “piggybacks on your phone’s cell service and functions via the Echo smartphone app, which itself is a functional Alexa device capable of doing much of what can be done on a smart speaker.” Though it may have a “distinct “after market” feel,” the Echo was able to resume Goldstein’s podcast in the car from where he’d left off on his home Echo device.
“Clarity and device comprehension is more complicated in a moving vehicle. That has been an ongoing Siri problem,” Goldstein writes. Looking past the compromise and lag time of the current model, later versions of the Echo Auto will bring “opportunity for those willing to adapt how their content is presented.”
“All professional recordings have three main characteristics that take them from amateur to polished,” writes Denise Meikle for Discover the Best Podcasts. “Volume levels are consistent, all speakers are audible, and there’s limited to no background noise interruptions.” While professional recording booths take care of the basics, noise pollution is a reality of recording for podcasters using home studios.
Meikle shares 6 setup-improving tips to “get you on the same playing field as the big guys.” From ideal room shape (asymmetrical is best) to sound-smoothing flooring (hard, with area rugs), find out what your home has in store for your next episode. If you have an unused mattress lying around, it could be your new best friend behind the mic.
StartupWorld profiles the work of Colin Gray, founder of The Podcast Host and creator of Alitu. As The Podcast Host, Gray has guided podcasters through the essentials since 2011.
“According to Gray, there are two reasons average podcasters find difficulty in production and editing,” the editors write. “Either they are not tech-savvy and cannot handle the tools easily and efficiently, or they don’t get sufficient time to do all the technical work along with the recording.”
Gray’s podcast production app, Alitu, launched in 2017. As “a personal producer for the average podcaster,” the app helps creators with “adding music, converting audio, leveling, clip transitions, exporting, and publishing.” Reportedly, Gray considered enlisting an agency to build Alitu into a full-fledged podcast production platform.
However, “he recognized that it would restrict his freedom to a large extent to be innovative.” Since building the platform with a developer, Alitu has become another way for thousands of people to “bring something new to the world.”
Happy Monday, readers, and thank you, Pat Flynn! Our own Jared Easley says that the captain of Smart Passive Income mentioned Podcast Movement in his new book, Superfans. Shoutouts have us all warm ‘n fuzzy.
Cheers,
Team PM
The first step is almost always the same, which is to instill confidence in the…
Podcasting is an infinite game—we play in order to keep playing.
It’s better to be good and liked than to be the best and have nowhere…
We’ve had a busy few weeks since Evolutions wrapped up! This week, we're sharing the…
Experience + continued training = a great end product.