Podcasting: Radio reborn

That’s Apple’s new mantra with the today-announced podcasting capabilities built into iTunes.
I just downloaded iTunes 4.9 with the podcasting enhacements and installed it on my desktop and iPod.
As we’ve come to expect with all things iPod from Apple, the interface is elegant, intuitive and painless in all respects. I subscribed to several technology shows, set the preferences to download and keep only the most recent episode and to do so every day at 8 p.m.
Didn’t see the bookmarking feature Apple touted in my conference call with product managers this morning. I’ll have to hunt around for it when I have more time.
The downloaded podcasts show up on the iPod as a playlist under music.
I plan to listen to a couple on the commute in and out of Detroit tomorrow.
This really, to quote Steve Jobs, is “radio’s next generation.”
There are 22 million personal music players out there (75 percent are iPods) and 6 million Americans listen to podcasts, according to an April study from the Pew Internet & American Life Project.
I’m predicting this new iTunes Podcast Directory is going to help those numbers grow very fast.
Oh yeah, Apple posted a nice tutorial on how to use GarageBand to make your own podcast.
Speaking of GarageBand, I’m looking for theme music for my technology podcast. I need about a minute’s worth. Send your MP3 file to me at mwpodcast AT gmail DOT com. No money but I promise to credit you if I use ypur composition.