All while Microsoft “thinks” about adding RSS (Really Simple Syndication) to very very, late next “bovine” incarceration of Windows. Apple is now busy adding it to even more parts of OS X and their applications, years sooner. First it was the Safari browser and Tiger screen saver. What’s podcasting and RSS about? see: http://reelsmart.com/2005/03/03/podcasting-for-everyone-else/

Best of all it is not just for geeks or very smart teenagers. No, it is for everyone that uses a Macintosh and now even Windows users that use iTunes! The newly released iTunes 4.9 adds podcasting support right in the application allowing users to download and subscribe to content for free. Apple has reported today that in just two days one million people have subscribed to podcasts using iTunes 4.9!

In the past you needed to use third party software like iPodder or iPodderX. Well I can happily report that the new iTunes makes this easier, cooler, and slicker by building it right in and having podcasts listed just like the familiar iTunes Music Store.

This will surely make podcasts more mainstream and more popular. That is good for content providers and just another reason to buy an iPod and use iTunes over a subscription service or maybe even a satellite radio for some users.

Apple is supporting content from Disney, ABC News, ABC Nightline, ESPN, and Inside Mac Radio as well as many “homegrown” podcasts. Podcasts have sometimes been called the “Wayne’s World” of audio content. So I am happy to see Apple supporting the little “out of the garage” podcasts alongside the pros.

Makes me think why they called this iTunes 4.9. What is coming in 5.0? Some indications are in this release if you look close. Examples are located deep inside the resources of iTunes – icons for a iTunes phone and icons for wma? Also it is good to mention that iTunes 4.9 also has added a setting for importing podcasts.

It is to be seen how podcasting matures and changes. But this release of iTunes is a great step on its path to distributing “narrow-band” content. More choice for more users is not a bad thing in my view. This is the best version of iTunes yet. I cannot wait until 5.0!

    | Tags: iTunes, podcast, Podcasting