The term 'podcast' has been declared Word of the Year by the New Oxford American Dictionary.

The official term, to be added to the online version of the dictionary during the next update early next year, is defined as "a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar program, made available on the Internet for downloading to a personal audio player".

The word is derived from a combination of "broadcasting" and "iPod".

According to a recent Pew Internet and American Life Project survey "Podcasts" are catching on with people who own iPods or other digital-music players. Twenty-nine percent of U.S. adults who own MP3 players like Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod say they have downloaded podcast programs from the Internet. In Pew's poll, 11 percent of respondents said they owned an MP3 player, putting the total U.S. ownership at 22 million. Of those with MP3 players, 29 percent reported listening to a podcast. Pew said the survey has a 7.5 percent margin of error.

A Podcast consists of high resolution MP3 or other audio files wrapped in a RSS feed, RSS or really simple scripting is widely used on the web as a means to create news feeds or product updates that can be read bybrowsers and other websites. Podcasts have grown in prominence along with Weblogs, the online diaries that serve as alternative news sources reports LordPercy.

The term was coined by journalist Ben Hammersley and although originally derived from combining "broadcasting" and "iPod", this definition has become something of a misnomer as podcasts can be listened to on any digital music player reports BBC.

Some have criticised the term for giving too much credit to Apple, which had little to do with the development of the technology and some have tried to suggest alternative terms such as blogcasting or audioblogging.

Temas Design, Japan has announced Take, a new bamboo iPod Shuffle Case. The Sleek case will be available from September 6th. Price YEN 6,000. SIZE W32xH92xD22

via yankodesign

Greenhouse, Japan has announced the GH－SPA-412S series, a new stylish dock for the iPod shuffle. In addition to serving as a charge dock for your iPod Shuffle, you get speakers. Dock available in black or white.

via

iSkin has announced the Shuffle Duo, a dual layer silicone protector for the iPod shuffle. Shuffle Duo utilizes two layers of high-grade silicone that combine to create the ultimate barrier against dust, dirt and even moisture. It's also available in a variety of cool color combinations, -- you know - to match your swim wear.

view more

Griffin has announced the TuneBox, a new Speaker System for iPod shuffle. Plug your shuffle into the docking connector between TuneBox's twin speakers for speakers. TuneBox charges your shuffle's battery while it's playing.

Digiana has announced the Audia X iTube, a new all-in-one FM transmitter/dock/charger for the iPod shuffle.

The Audia X iTube features two flexible necks and plugs into the cigarette lighter outlet. Your iPod shuffle connects via the USB plug. The iTube's FM transmitter offers a full frequency range (88.1MHz - 107.9MHz), blue backlit LCD, and a 4 channel preset memory.

via ilounge

Japanese company himanainu has introduced the Iparka, a stylish iPod shuffle parka or case, to keep your shuffle nice and warm, plus protected from those falls.

via the very cool 'The Cool Hunter'