Podcasts for the masses

Tipped as the next big thing to replace live radio, podcasting got a shove into the mainstream today when Apple as promised released the latest version of iTunes with the automatic downloading of radio built in.

Podcasting enables users to subscribe to regular "broadcasts" - anything from amateur talk shows to segments from commercial stations - which are then downloaded to your computer every time a new show is made available. From there, it's a simple step to have it copied across to your MP3 player for listening whenever.

Existing software could do almost exactly the same but of course iTunes makes the process slicker and easier. Apple reckons it lists 3,000 podcasts in its directory, a couple of which are by the Mac maker itself. Don't get too excited, though, most are by unknowns and few if any include music for licensing reasons.

Interestingly, several hidden clues within the iTunes program suggest an iTunes phone is imminent.

Apple also streamlined the iPod line-up today, cutting the top end to just two models, both now with colour screens, with capacities of 20GB and 60GB. Shame the battery life shows no sign of improvement - it's still pegged at about 15 hours.