BlogWatch: Tech Webcast
by Allie Coyne ITJourno’
ITJ’s ‘BlogWatch’ takes a look at some of the lesser known Australian tech sites and media outlets, and this week we have a chat to Tech Webcast
founder Brad Chaseore and co host Jason Oakley.
Hot on the heels of similar initiatives by several of the larger publishers, Tech Webcast podcaster extraordinnaire Brad Chaseore* is leading his team into the fray with a newly revamped and interactive mobile application for Apple and Android devices.
Fellow podcast host Jason Oakley is using his programming experience to develop the application through the Ansca Corona system, allowing him to output the one app to several different operating systems with just one build.
This is the second foray into mobile applications for the team, having launched their first iPhone app late last year, though Oakley is quick to note the new version will be much more interactive than the original.
“The app I’ve already done is very basic, this one’s going to have a lot more features,” he explained. “At the moment it’s mainly just the website and the Twitter feed, there’s no interaction at all. This one’s going to have a lot more user interaction.”
Chaseore said the decision to develop a new application came simply because they needed one.
“Everyone else has one,” he said. “And everyone else uses Apple so that’s where we decided to go.”
When the app is launched onto Apple’s App Store in a few weeks, users will be able to view the Tech Webcast website, as well as watch the Twitter feed and live stream, and access an archive of episodes to listen to directly. The show’s Apple application will launch first in beta next week, with the Android version to follow depending on the success of the Apple beta testing.
Oakley said the app’s $1.19 price tag would be worth the cost due to the extra features and interactivity available in the application.
“It’s going to be very well programmed and have a lot more functionality, and convenience for people to keep in touch with the show and keep up to date on their iPhone, iPad or Android device.”
When the show launched in 2009, at the helm were Chaseore and fellow launch host John Raul Joven II. The two were driven by one simple and unpretentious common interest: a love of technology
“I just like tech stuff, and anything to do with it,” Chaseore said. “And I like talking to people involved in technology.”
Since this time the show has seen staff changes. Joven left last year to relocate to Singapore and a new podcast called Tech Conclave, forcing Chaseore to hunt for new co-hosts. He discovered Oakley on Melbourne’s Tech Talk Radio, around the same time as finding Dylan Combs live streaming on Justin.tv. Together with the three, the show sees guest interviewees from the technology industry featured on each Saturday’s podcast, having previously chatted tp Tech Au’s Jason Cartwright, Oz Tech News’ Aaron Holesgrove, as well as media personality Dylan Lewis and American blogger Robert Scoble.
“Jason does the introduction and then he outlines what’s happening, and we all discuss it,” Chaseore said. “There’s usually about three of us. Dylan comes on as often as he can. We have anyone on that wants to come on, we’ve been trying to get Kevin Rose but we’ve had no luck so far.”
Focusing on news and reviews of consumer tech products on the audio show, the team have also recently ventured into video reviews, with Oakley previously unboxing a Boxee Box as well as reviewing several iPhone apps.
“I think it’s just something else a bit different to the show that people can have a look at in between shows,” Oakley said. “The show only goes out once a week on a Saturday, gives people to look at in between.”
“It’s turned out to be quite popular,” he added. “I film myself while doing the podcast, then I cut to screenshots of what we’re talking about, to a website etc, it makes an interesting video for people to look at something different visually.”
Despite consciously avoiding a specifically Australian focus, Tech Webcast draws in over 50% of its traffic from local visitors. Chaseore said the decision to remain globally-focused centred around listener interest.
“I think people enjoy it more that way,” he said. “Plus there’s more things happening in America than in Australia.”
Oakley said the show offers Australian and global listeners an insight into technology and the internet.
“I think people find our information and opinions fascinating, it keeps them up to date with new technology and entertained as well as informed.”
“I find it very fascinating and because I’ve had past experience in doing radio, I find it interesting to discuss with other people what’s going on in the technology world,” he added.
Running several ads on the site, Chaseore plans to get more involved with advertising despite not being too concerned with making the show a full time money earner.
“I want to do this because I love doing what I do, it’s fun,” he said. “I don’t really see what else I could do. If people don’t like it, they don’t have to listen.”
*Name has been changed