Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) and an affiliate of Radio Beijing have unveiled a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of a DAB+ digital radio app that will permit podcasts to be downloaded to a listener's radio without use of the Internet.

According to a CRA news release, Beijing Jolon Digital Media Broadcasting Push Radio plans to develop technology that will send audio files directly to DAB+ digital radio receivers for later replay at the user's convenience.

The strategic partnership will involve close co-operation in developing and promoting Push Radio's technical specifications, including the formation of a task force to fully test the technology and stage on-air trials in Australia late in 2010.

Calling the promised technology a major step forward, CRA CEO Joan Warner noted that Push Radio promises to "free listeners from the necessity to connect to the internet and ... make podcast(s) even more accessible for all digital radio listeners."