Podcast Pickle is looking for podcasters to compete in its Pickle Tales: Battle of the Podcast Stars contest.

The contest challenges podcasters to write and produce 5-minute stories, skits or essays on an assigned theme. Listeners will be able to vote for their favorites in each round of the contest, and each round will narrow the field of competition until the finals.

The ultimate winner will receive $250 cash and other prizes.

BlogAmp, a service that offers audio hosting and a customizable Flash interface for podcasts and other audio files, is offering a free trial for the next 500 users to try the service through November 10th.
The fine print:

• 50MB Total Storage limit with Unlimited plays/downloads
• 25 MB limit per uploaded MP3

Added to the podcast directory page: The Aloha Podcast Network, a site that offers a variety of Hawaiian podcasts.

Description:

Interested in life in Hawaii? Want to find out more about visiting the beautiful “Islands of Aloha”? Now you can sample a wide variety of Hawaii and Hawaiian themed podcast and vodcast via the Aloha Podcast Network brought to you by the creator of the Hawaii podcast 808Talk. Learn about the people, culture and history of Hawaii and even sample some music and catch some killer waves. Check it out today and sample all the APN has to offer.

The Network also has an aggregated Aloha Podcast Network podcast.

A recent study by Edison Media Research shows sharp declines in the amount of time teenagers listen to radio, and even sharper declines among people 12-to-24.

The company’s research shows sharp declines in Time Spent Listening (TSL), Persons Using Radio (PUR) and attitudes about radio among the 12-to-24-age group, the listeners who represent both terrestrial radio’s future and its greatest challenge.

“With iPods, podcasting and Internet radio, today’s 12-24 listeners have even more alternatives to terrestrial radio,” noted Edison President Larry Rosin. “It is vital for broadcasters to study this newly-updated data and take action.”

Avaricum has release a freeward podcast client, Audiopod, for IPAQ hw6515 and PPC2003/WM5 PDA phones. The software is designed to let users download audio podcasts and listen to them offline.

Audiopod helps fill the gap Microsoft has left by not providing podcasting support.

AEC Daily has introduced a series of educational podcasts, the AEC Daily Education podcast, aimed at the architecture, engineering and construction industry.

The first episode looks at The Greening of White Goods (MP3).

The podcast is an example of a sponsored corporate podcast. The podcast is part of the Whirlpool course, The Greening of ‘White Goods’: Environmental Considerations When Specifying Appliances.

“We’re very excited to be trying new technologies to improve the learning experience of the construction professional,” said Jeff Rice, President of AEC Daily. “We enjoy working with visionary companies like Whirlpool to test the limits of the new trends in online multimedia education.”

Apple CEO Steve Jobs isn’t worried about the latest iPod-killer wannabe, the Zune. While Microsoft may promote the Zune’s “community building” wireless features, Jobs says that iPods are better for connecting with girls:

“I’ve seen the demonstrations on the Internet about how you can find another person using a Zune and give them a song they can play three times,” said Jobs. “It takes forever.

“By the time you’ve gone through all that, the girl’s got up and left!” adds Jobs. “You’re much better off to take one of your earbuds out and put it in her ear. Then you’re connected with about two feet of headphone cable.”

Jobs doesn’t mention, though, that you may be limited to connecting with girls that aren’t put off by the idea of sharing your earwax…..

Podcast Ready and mobiBLU today announced the launch of the Cube2, mobiBLU’s latest MP3 player, which comes pre-installed with Podcast Ready’s myPodder podcast management software and enhanced audio performance.Users can plug mobiBLU MP3 devices into any Internet-connected computer and access myPodder to update, subscribe to and manage their favorite RSS-delivered media feeds.

According to mobiBlu, the Cube2 is the world’s smallest multimedia player. The mobiBLU Cube2 features a full color OLED screen that supports song and playback information, video clips, digital pictures, and comes in a variety of colors including black, silver, blue, and pink. The Cube2 is available in 1GB and 2GB storage capacities and supports MP3 and WMA file support.

Apple today introduced the iPod nano RED Special Edition. The iPod was created by U2 lead singer Bono and Bobby Shriver to “engage business in the fight against AIDS in Africa by getting the world‚Äôs most iconic companies to make uniquely branded products”.

A portion of the profits from these products goes directly to the Global Fund to fund programs for women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. Apple will contribute $10 from the sale of each iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED to the Global Fund to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. Apple will also offer a $25 iTunes (PRODUCT) RED gift card available for purchase at Apple’s retail and online stores next month.

‚ÄúWe‚Äôre ecstatic that Apple is giving their customers the choice to buy a red iPod nano and help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa,‚Äù said Bono, co-founder of (RED). ‚ÄúIt’s wonderful to see this incredible level of commitment from companies that are willing to lend their creativity in the fight against AIDS in Africa, the greatest health crisis in 600 years.‚Äù

ifrogz has introduced the Tadpole, a new line of video iPod cases made specifically for children ages one and up.

The Tadpole is designed to provide a way to let even very young children use iPods. The cases are engineered with two large handles that not only help children maintain a solid grip on the iPod, but also provide additional protection for the device.

“Many families have DVD players in their cars to help entertain their kids on road trips,” said Scott Huskinson, president of ifrogz. “Now it’s possible for moms and dads to entertain their children wherever they go with an iPod in a Tadpole case — in the supermarket, at the doctor’s office, waiting in line, at the gym, as well as on a long trip. ifrogz’s Tadpole has got their entertainment needs — and your iPod — covered.”