Chicago’s WMAQ TV, an NBC affilliate, has introduced a new podcast that “promises to be prescription for passion”.WMAQ’s Better Sex Podcast features Dr. Laura Berman, a Chicago-based licensed sex and relationships therapist. According to the station, Berman “is ready to teach you how to improve every element of your sex life”.

The most recent podcast episode looks at the role of kissing in relationships (MP3).

Apple has agreed to pay Creative Technology $100 million dollars to settle all legal disputes between the two companies, and for a license to use Creative’s recently awarded “Zen” patent in all Apple products.US Patent 6,928,433 covers “A method, performed by software executing on the processor of a portable music playback device, that automatically files tracks according to hierarchical structure of categories to organize tracks in a logical order. A user interface is utilized to change the hierarchy, view track names, and select tracks for playback or other operations.”

Apple can recoup a portion of its payment if Creative is successful in licensing this patent to others. The companies also announced that Creative would participate in Apple’s Made for iPod program.

“Creative is very fortunate to have been granted this early patent,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “This settlement resolves all of our differences with Creative, including the five lawsuits currently pending between the companies, and removes the uncertainty and distraction of prolonged litigation.”

Jean Tennant wants to be published, and she’s willing to risk public rejection to make that happen.The Iowa resident is the first subject of The Writing Show’s new podcast-based reality show, Getting Published, which debuts September 11th. The series will follow Tennant as she attempts to find an agent and publisher for her women’s novel Karaoke Nights at the Twilight Lounge.

Listeners will be asked for feedback as Tennant posts portions of her manuscript, sample query letters, and marketing plan on The Writing Show blog.

PodShow, a podcasting startup, has added five talk show podcasts to the PodShow Podcast Network: “Pacific Coast Hellway,” “Squadcast,” “The Creepy Sleepy Show,” “The Think Future Radio Show” and “Trucker Tom’s Podcast.””Talk radio has been stale and predictable for too long, limited by the FCC and the restrictions of radio formatting,” said Adam Curry, PodShow cofounder and President. “These shows offer a range of content from the high-energy, in-your-face rant of ‘Pacific Coast Hellway’ to the angry political commentary of the ‘Think Future Radio Show,’ each show exploring the talk format in a way that just can’t happen in traditional talk.”

PB Teen, a division of Pottery Barn, has introduced the iChair, a chair designed specifically for use with iPods and other portable music players.

The chair has a special slot to hold your portable player, two built-in 10 watt speakers and a massive 3″ 15 watt subwoofer. It’s not a space womb, but at $399, it’s at least more affordable.

Evoca, a Web service that lets users create, organize, share and search consumer-generated audio, has introduced a Spanish language site. Web users with a Spanish-language browser will automatically view Evoca.com in Spanish. A link on each page lets users switch from English to Spanish.Evoca members can make digital recordings of any length with any telephone, or use Evoca’s in-browser recorder with a computer microphone. The digital audio (MP3) recordings can be shared through podcasting, e-mail, social networking profiles such as MySpace, e-commerce listings such as eBay, blogs, and websites.

Microsoft is making deals to deliver its attempt at an iPod-killer, the Zune, loaded with free music from record companies wanting to promote their bands. According to Microsoft’s Cesar Menendez, the Zune will come preloaded with audio and video from CSS, Hot Chip and 30 Seconds to Mars.

No word on podcasting support on the Zune, yet.

You won’t hear it from Apple, but an Apple Movie Store appears to be on its way.During an earnings conference call last week, Lions Gate Entertainment CEO Jon Feltheimer said that his company had a digital delivery deal in place with iTunes, and that it would launch some time before the end of this year.

Lions Gate is a leading independent producer and distributor of motion pictures and video-on-demand content.

“We know when they are planning on launching,” added Feltheimer, “but since they have not announced it publicly, I do not think it is our place to say anything more about that.”

PodcastAwards.com has announced the winners in 20 of the 22 categories of the 2006 People’s Choice Podcast Awards. Winners announced include: Entertainment ‚Äì Pottercast; Mature – The Dawn and Drew Show; and Technology / Science – DiggNation.

Podcasting News got spanked in the category of Best Podcast Directory, losing out to Apple’s iTunes.

“We’re hoping for a new category next year: Best Podcasting News Site,” admitted Podcasting News editor James Lewin. “Or maybe Compulsive Podcast Blogging.”

The winners in the remaining two categories, “People‚Äôs Choice” and “Best Produced”, will be announced September 29th at an Awards Ceremony to be held at the Podcast and Portable Media Expo.

Added to podcast directory index:

• MLPodcast – a directory of real estate podcasts
• ChurchPodcasts – from the Podcast Pickle guys, focusing on Christian podcasts.
• GodCast1000 – also focuses on Christian podcasts
• PodcastDirectory.org – a general directory