MMS Podcasting

Podcasting to Cell Phones / Mobile Phones via MMS messages
Copyright (C) 2005 Tea Vui Huang
Email: tvhuang@hotmail.com

  Download | About | Process | Limitation | Why | Link


 


Download (Sample Files)

MMS_Podcast.zip (154 KB)


About

MMS Podcast is an Enhanced Podcast to MMS (Multimedia Message) converter for Mobile Phones. It is to be used by Podcasters / Service Providers / Telcos / Cellcos to convert Enhanced Podcasts to MMS messages. The resulting MMS messages would be pushed to the user on request (e.g. via a WAP menu). It does not require iTunes, iPodder or any podcast downloader.

Enhanced podcasts (podcasts with m4a, m4b or m4p extensions) are essentially podcasts with images that are displayed in sync with the podcast. APPLE: You can use Chapter Tool to create Enhanced Podcasts that work with iTunes 4.9 or later. Enhanced podcasts are podcasts that contain chapters. Chapters can be modified to display pictures or web links that can be displayed within the iTunes song artwork pane.

Process

1. Original MP3 Podcast and MPEG-4 Enhanced Podcast




2. Enhanced Podcast separated into MMS objects, grouped by Chapters




3. Package MMS objects into MMS message




4. Packaged MMS messages, divided by Chapters




5. Send corresponding MMS Podcast Chapter to users when requested

  

Limitation

  • Most cell phones / mobile phones can only process MMS messages that are not more than 100 KB in size
  • Taking other mandatory MMS objects into consideration, the audio length is capped at ~50 seconds
  • Best suited for brief podcast. e.g. 5 min podcast of ~45-second news bites, which works out to ~6 chapters
  • Not suitable for large podcast as it would generate excessive chapters. e.g. a 40 min podcast would translate to 48 50-second chapters.


    Why

  • Most mobile phones are not able to play MP3 audio files, but they can play (MMS) AMR audio files
  • MP3 audio files are relatively large for mobile phones, AMR files are 3-6 times smaller in size
  • Most mobile phones audio players do not have a "rewind" button. Thus if the playback is interrupted by a call etc, the user will have to listen from the start of the podcast. With this software, the podcast is split into chapters, hence resuming playback is not as disruptive


    Link

  • Enhanced Podcast to J2ME Converter
  • Podcast for Mobile Phones
  • Tsunami Detector


  • DVB-H ESG Simulator - Simulates DVB-H ESG (TV Guide for Mobile TV) on all major (hard-to-get) DVB-H handsets

  • SMS Front-end Menu for PayPal Mobile - No more memorizing SMS codes and payment detail structures!

  • TVH-72g Graphing Calculator - A Low-Cost Graphing Calculator for Mobile Phones

  • Aibo Memories - A 3D Playable Sony Aibo for Mobile Phones

  • H5N1 DECON - Avian Flu decontamination and prevention aid for mobile phones

  • Tsunami Detector for Mobile Phones

  • Lumiedge (Ambilight-like effect for Webcam images)

  • MMS Podcasting

  • Enhanced Podcast to J2ME Converter

  • Podcast for Mobile Phones

  • Open Source Project for Google SMS & Yahoo SMS

  • Tsunami Detector


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