Radio24 on your Ipod Touch/Iphone

In June, Radio24 released an Ipod Touch/Iphone App for listening to their radio station. If you like to listen to Italian radio "on-the-go" like I do, then you'll probably find this app useful. Some people prefer radio apps where you can listen to more than just one radio station, and, sure, I can get that. But you can't go wrong when the app is free!

I listen to a lot of podcasts at work, but doing so through my computer is problematic, especially when so much of the resources on my computer at work are needed for work-related tasks. With this app, you just turn it on and listen.

Great points about this app:

1. It's easy to use (see below, because it's also one of the downsides).
2. It has never crashed on me.
3. It has volume controls in the app.
4. If you click the link to their homepage, it launches Safari.

Downsides to this app:

1. Features? Yes, there are none (unless you count the in app volume controls).
2. The app doesn't multi-task -- if you leave the app, it stops playing.
3. You can't view the schedule (palinsesto) within the app.
4. No access to their podcasts.

I still like the app, I'm just saying...

I do hope that they provide some more functionality in the future. If you're looking for a simple app that provides quality programming and need something to listen to that you don't have to fidget with while you're listening (like when you're at the gym, at work or driving), this is a great app.

You can download the app here: http://itunes.apple.com/it/app/radio-24/id365304617?mt=8

Radio24 and L'Altra Europa

I know it's been a while since I updated, but I have some new listening resources that I want to talk about so look for some new posts in the coming weeks!

Many radio programs in Italy take the summer off -- some end in June or July while others stop for Ferragosto. But this program continued through much of August, and it was a fun program to listen to while I traveled around for my own summer vacations.

The program in question is called L'Altra Europa which is produced by Radio24. Radio24 is one of my favorite radio station because a majority of the programs are talk so not only do you get a lot of listening practice you also have the opportunity to learn about what is going on in Italy from a source of news that I would consider to be very balanced.

L'Altra Europa is a program that is hosted by Federico Taddia (he's also co-authored several books, you can see them here) that focuses on what's going on in Europe in the sphere of politics, culture and economics. Recently, Taddia interviewed the author, Claudia Cucchiarato, about her book (I'll be reviewing it on my blog, Italy in Literature, very soon!) on the new wave of Italian emigration. There have also been interviews with Italians living in and around Europe, most recently in Russia, to talk about the fires and heat wave.

The show discusses not only larger issues (such as the deportation of gypsies in France) but also smaller local ones (such as a local Serbian music festival), as well as highlighting and promoting all aspects of European culture. It's a fun show to listen to because of the wide range of guests and the variety of topics discussed.

If you like learning about Europe and European issues, you'll certainly enjoy listening to this show.

Listen to it online or as a podcast!

RAI Radio App for Ipod Touch/Iphone

It's about time that RAI finally came up with an app for their radio content!

I found it in the App Store last night while I was winding down from my long day. The app works pretty well for the most part, and you can listen live to many of RAI's stations (although, I find that live listening works better on ooTunes). The great thing about this app is that is keys you into all the podcasts, allowing you to listen to many of the podcasts on RAI 1, 2 or 3. I'm really impressed with the app (although there is room for improvement!).

Listening to the radio, while it's challenging and difficult for many, is a great way to learn new words and to practice your listening comprehension. The fast pace of speaking takes time to understand, but the more that you practice listening, the better you will be at it.

If you're interested in downloading the app (it's free, by the way), click here.

RAI's smartphone page is here ("Tutta la radio in tasca!").

I wrote a short review of the app on Appolicious -- you can read that by clicking here.

Learning about history and improving your Italian with historycast

historycast is a cool podcast that explores various topics in history, from the Black Plague to the Etruscans to the injustices committed against Sacco and Vanzetti. The podcasts are beautifully and expertly done, and you are not only bound to improve your Italian but learn about historical topics on Italy as well as around the world. Some of the best podcasts are those that not only teach you new words and helps with your listening comprehension but also helps you to learn about history all at the same time. Read about them "Presentazione" to learn what they are all about -- it shows you the quality of the podcast that they have put together!

They have a popular blog, too, and the podcasts can be downloaded from their web site, via RSS feed or through the Itunes store. Simply search for "historycast" in the Itunes store to download their history lessons for free!

Check out their active and popular Facebook group, too!

Ad alta voce

One of my favorite Italian programs is Ad Alta Voce, a radio program on Rai Radio 3 in which you can listen to some of great works of literature read aloud. Recently, I found a recording of Leonardo Sciascia's Il giorno della civetta, and I was able to listen to the book and read it while it was being read to me. Listening while reading is a great way to hone your listening skills while at the same time enjoying some of the many jewels of Italian literature.

There are dozens of others titles, too, and you can listen to them directly from the web page for Ad Alta Voce (this link has the complete listing) or via Rai.tv (I find that Rai.tv works best in IE, but that's just my own opinion/experience). If reading and listening to Italian literature is daunting, there are several titles that are translated from English into Italian that might help to provide some context to what you are reading. It shouldn't be too difficult to decipher which of the titles are English ones.

Below is a partial list of some Italian classics that are my favorites -- I find listening with the book makes for a better experience. I've linked the titles of the books to the Internet Bookshop Italia:

Metello
Il deserto della Libia
Il cavaliere inesistente
Senilità
Le sorelle Materassi
L'isola di Arturo
La luna e i falò
Una storia semplice
Il giorno della civetta
Diceria dell'untore
Il giornalino di Giamburrasca
Amore e ginnastica
Il barone rampante
Il giardino dei Finzi Contini
Il mare non bagna Napoli