Apple's growing influence

Apple's influence in the technological community continues to rise as a wide array of businesses and individuals alike utilize as well as discuss the company's innovations. WSJ.com today introduced a free video podcast titled "Tech Diary" aimed at documenting the results of people and technology coming together, with one of the first episodes following a man as he tries to start conversation with people around him using an iPhone. While the iPhone fails to attract attention in the named episode, the facts that the test centered around Apple's cellular phone and that the video was published as a video podcast hint at Apple's growing presence among consumers, whether or not the hype surrounding its products persists.

Alongside the Wall Street Journal's new podcast comes an announcement from Goosecross Cellars, a Napa Valley family winery in Yountville, revealing that website devoted to wine country living is now available specifically for iPhone users.

"Podcasts are one of the most effective and versatile communications tools I've seen emerge in years," says David Topper, Napa Valley Wine Radio host and Goosecross Cellars co-owner.

"We are able to provide our listeners with an up-close look at wine, food and life in the Napa Valley while providing great educational content, interesting topics and establishing a personal connection with our listeners. Now that Napa Valley Wine Radio is iPhone-optimized, it's even easier to use. We took this step in response to the overwhelming success of Apple iPhone sales. Our goal is to disseminate value-based information in the most effective, up-to-date fashion possible."

From large publications based in New York to family-owned wineries in California, Apple's influence is cropping up more frequently than ever.

by MacNN Staff