Consuming Podcasts

I'm fairly new when it comes to listening to podcasts. I would estimate that I have been listening to them for just over a year now, mostly while I'm at work. I don't know why it took me so long to discover this vast world of broadcast content but I'm glad I did. There are just so many different podcasts in so many different genres that there is bound to be something for everyone. Of course with the advancement of smartphones this has made it easier to find new ways to occupy your time. I have tried several different apps to listen to my podcasts of choice but I finally settled on Pocket Casts. It's a good app but I'm not writing this to talk about which apps I use or which podcasts I listen to. I want to talk about HOW I listen to them. 

2x indicated at the top right

Podcasts are pretty straightforward, you can either download them or stream them. I download them for a couple of reasons: I can listen to them even if I don't have a good 4G signal and I can control my playback speed. It's the second reason that prompts me to write this post. Usually when you listen to an hour long podcast it would take you an hour to listen to it but many of the podcast players allow you to vary the playback speed. I listen to podcasts at 2x the normal speed. While I'm sure this is not news to long time podcast listeners, it does make a big difference. It takes me only 30 minutes for a 1 hour podcast and 1 hour to listen to a 2 hour podcast. This allows me to fit in extra shows during my work day.

I don't want anyone to think that this is an easy adjustment. I had to train myself to listen at the increased speeds. I started listening at normal speeds and gradually increased the speed over a period of a few months. First I increased the speed to 1.2x then 1.5x to 1.6x to 1.8x and ultimately 2x. Making the jump from 1x to 2x is jarring if not done in stages. I had a show playing while I was driving with my teenage son in the car and he couldn't understand anything that was being said. He asked me if it was twice the speed but at the time I think I was only at 1.6x or 1.8x. Most podcasts hosts speak at a moderate speed  but every now and then you have someone that speaks a little faster and you may have to adjust your speed but I don't recall actually having to do that. 

One of the podcasts that I listen to is a local radio morning show and the hardest thing to do now is listen to them live because their normal speaking speed seems sooooo slow. The higher speeds also change the sound of their voices but not enough where they are unrecognizable. They also play a game like "Name that Tune" and I'm able to recognize many of the songs even at the higher speeds. Even though I thought about going higher, I think I have reached my speed limit as anything higher may be too overwhelming.

Now my player of choice is Pocket Casts on my LG G3. Pocket Casts allows you the adjust the speeds from 0.5x to 3x but many of the other players allow similar adjustments.

My Prepaid Adventure

With the recent issue of Target having millions of credit card numbers stolen I have heard many people consider using prepaid cards when making their purchases. I have been using several major prepaid cards of late and have gone to them exclusively when I was on vacation. While prepaid cards have been around for years, the convenience of loading and checking the balances have changed. My focus will be on the PayPal business debit card, the Google Wallet card, and the American Express Serve/Isis card.

I have been using the PayPal card the longest. Originally receiving it when I ordered the PayPal Here mobile register device. This card is for business owners and when you receive mobile payments from your customers the payments go into your PayPal business account. This works out well because you can then access that money by using PayPal business card. Whether it is to make withdrawals or purchases you can use the card for both. From the mobile app you can check your balances, transfer money, request or send money, and add money from a linked account. Adding money from my bank account usually does take a few days to show the funds. The PayPal card carries a MasterCard logo so it can be used almost anywhere you choose. While I have had it the longest, I use it the least.

I ordered the Google Wallet card as soon as it was announced. The card itself is beautiful with it's all white color and the multicolored Wallet logo in the center and black "Google Wallet" text underneath. The front of the card bears no name or card number as that information is all on the the back of the card. The Wallet app itself is easy to use and it uses the card layout that Google is currently using more and more in its OS. Once you log in with your PIN that you set up you have the options of viewing your balance, sending money, viewing transactions, seeing the Google Offers currently available, and seeing your loyalty cards. If your phone has NFC and your carrier supports mobile payments then you also will have the option to use Tap to Pay. Adding money is pretty simple once you have linked a bank account or credit/debit card. Choose what card or account you want to add money from and the amount, submit the transaction and you are done. The money usually shows up within a few seconds but I have recently heard about Google holding some transactions for a few days. After you make a purchase with your Wallet card you receive a notification within a few seconds of completing the transaction telling you where the purchase was made and the amount.
This card also carries the MasterCard logo.

I found out about the American Express Serve card when I installed the Isis mobile payment app on my T-Mobile phone. Isis allows you to use Tap to Pay but it is limited to linking only a handful of cards at the moment. They give you the option of signing up for a Serve card and the sign-up was simple and quick. Adding funds to the card is similar to the Google Wallet card. Log into the app, select add money, and choose your amount. The difference is you add money directly from the app on the Wallet card but the Amex Serve card sends you to the web to add money. There were a couple of occasions where my card was declined even though the funds were available. I also did not like that it shows my remaining balance on receipts while the others don't. The Serve card is not as widely accepted as the other two but it is backed by American Express' excellent customer service.

Overall I prefer the Google Wallet card over the others with the Isis a close second. I tend to use Google Wallet as my daily user and the Isis card for larger purchases. The Google Wallet card also gets more attention and curious looks when I hand it to the cashiers. The good thing is, you can have all three of them and use them as you choose.