The so-called tech sector is buzzing these days with M&A activity.  A lot of it is driven by convergence: bigger 'A' acquires smaller 'B' to roll the latter's capabilities into the former...

Interesting article in BusinessWeek about blogs and podcasts (engagement, challenges, limitations).  Here are my thoughts…

Podcasts:

·         many broadcasters using mobile devices, versus uploading via studio or home gear

·         podcasts do not facilitate scansion – at best, you might be able to search keywords or tags, but otherwise, an hour's podcasts takes a long time to find a nugget of gold you might be looking for.  But it suffices to say, search sucks; it just ain't easy.

à wouldn't you like to search your favourite podcast, by keyword or phrase, especially if it was transcribed and Web-enabled, automatically?

Blogs:

·         it's easier to scan and search blogs than podcasts.  But they're not as portable – obviously you need a screen or a hard copy.  Audiobooks have been with us since the cassette tape (70s) – right now, it should be easier to download an audio copy of your favourite blog (if Steve Rubel sounds like Barbara Walters, I'll modify my preferences).

·         Web services will become available, and blogs will soon have "podcast" or similar capabilities.

Clearly, podcasts moving to text, and blogs moving to audio, introduce complementary but somewhat distinct audiences to each other's content.  Result: more readers or listeners; more opportunity for dialogue.

This kind of convergence can only be a plus.

(now when will Facebook incorporate a rich text editor for notes?  When will this lousy rich-text editor here become usable?  Or generate an .mp3 file of this tirade?...)