Last week while at the Australia Partner Conference, I came across a few partners who were carrying both a Windows Mobile device and a portal music player.  My first thought was why carry around two separate devices when Windows Mobile can do everything a portable music player can do and more.  So I asked them why they opt to carry around two devices and received a standard response 'they wanted an easy way to manage and listen to their daily podcasts and didn't think Windows Mobile was capable'.  I explained to them how this could be done and then realised Microsoft doesn't really promote how this can easily be done. I take full advantage of the Windows mobile software as a business tool i.e. push email but also as a music/podcast player. 

Listed below are the requirements and steps you need to setup automatic podcasting.

Requirements:

• Windows Mobile Device - preferably version 6.1
• Windows Media Player 11 (found on Microsoft.com or included in Windows Vista)
• Software to manage podcasts i.e. Zune, Zencast or ITunes (my favourite is Zune and you don't need a Zune to download the software).  http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zunesoftware/download.htm

Steps required to setup automated podcasting on your Windows Mobile device:

Note: This assumes you already subscribe to podcasts using one of the software programs above

1)  Create an auto playlist - Your podcasts will automatically update in this playlist on a daily basis

• Open Windows Media Player 11 from the Programs Menu
• Create an 'auto playlist' - call it 'Podcasts'
• Right click on playlists and select 'create an auto playlist'

• Find the folder name where your podcasts are being stored.  In this case mine is the following:  C:\Users\mheald\Music\Zune\Podcasts
• Within the auto playlist criteria, click the green plus sign stating 'Click here to add criteria'
• Add file name
• Paste the location of your podcasts (see screen shot below)
• Click OK

• You will now see 'podcasts' auto playlist show up on the left hand side under playlists
• This playlist will update automatically everyday with your new daily podcasts and delete the old ones automatically depending on the settings you select in your podcast software e.g. Zune etc

2)  Synchronise the Podcasts autoplaylist with your Windows Mobile device automatically

• Connect your Windows Mobile device to your PC
• Right click on the Podcasts playlist and click Add to Sync List

• Click Sync/Storage Card/Setup Sync.  Note, your device might already have an internal hard drive (I have micro SD card to store music/podcasts)

• Ensure the Podcasts playlist is listed on the right hand side under 'playlists to sync'
• Ensure the button 'Sync this device automatically' is checked
• Click Finish

You will now find the podcasts under 'playlists' on your Windows Mobile Phone.

I hope you found this useful and would be interested in any comments you may have.

Mike