iTunes 4.9 With Podcasting Support

eakthecat writes "Hot on the heels of the 4.8 release, Apple has released the next version of its popular iTunes jukebox software. Version 4.9 incorporates several new features, most notable of which is podcasting. The front page and iTunes webpages have not been updated yet, but you can get your greedy little hands on it or through the new podcasting link in the music store! !"

Comments

Annoying installer

[kevmo]

Is anyone else annoyed that their is no real Windows "updater" for iTunes, and each update basically requires iTunes to reinstall, sometimes clobbering my settings that tell Quicktime to stop bothering me?

I really wish that if Apple releases software for Windows that they actually put the work necessary into it to make it a good product. (Don't get me wrong, I still like iTunes, it just seems very unpolished in Windows).

What's with the dept line...?

[chota]

from the waste-of-bandwidth-and-time dept.

Ouch!

Can someone explain why this is a waste of bandwidth and time? Wouldn't a major company with a massive userbase supporting podcasting actually help the genre?

Also, since (presumably) Rob hasn't actually *tried* the software, isn't judging it a little harsh?

hm

[speel3k]

This is what i love about apple. They see the customers need and they execute simple as that.

slick, but:

[jeffehobbs]

I think, technically speaking, it's as good an implementation as you're likely to see for a while.

The only missed opportunity from my perspective is the lack of some peer-to-peer method of distribution of the podcasts. That would be awfully nice. As it is, if your podcast gets popular, you're going to have to contend with a hefty bandwidth fee, which leaves at least a vestige of the old-media power structure in place; those who have the bucks control the means of distribution. With a stripped-down BitTorrent or even a Gnutella-style "swarm" distribution model, your listeners could actually distribute your podcasts for you; truly listener-supported public radio.

Otherwise, good stuff. More nice work by the iTunes team.

~jeff

Re:"Mac-dotted"

[zulux]

All the Euro prices are identical to the dollar prices

The cost of doing business is *much* higher in western Europe than in the States. Hence, the higher prices - so that companies can attempt to recoup the taxes they must pay. It's not just Apple: Phillips, BMW, Mercedes and Virgin's products are more expensive in Europe - even if they are European companies.

You didn't think that all those social services were free did you?