You probably know this by now but iTunes 4.9 is out. The big new feature is podcasting, which is integrated with the iTunes Music Store. It combines both free and paid-for podcasts, from big companies like Disney and ABC right down to homebrew ones, and if you create your own podcasts you can submit them to Apple’s directory for others to download. All in all, it looks very good, and a worthwhile addition.
Another new feature for iPod users is that when you plug your iPod in, its playlists also appear in iTunes on the left-hand side. If you have your iPod library working independently to your iTunes library then this will allow you to drag and drop files into playlists.
As well as a new version of iTunes, Apple have updated the iPod Firmware for the 3G and 4G iPods, iPod Photo and iPod Mini to enable podcasting support. If you have one of these, you’ll need to download the update here.
Finally, here’s details of the iPod announcements today. The 4G iPod has been retired in favour of the iPod Photo, which is now cheaper. The 1GB iPod Shuffle is also now £10 cheaper at £89. Not that exciting but it’s news.
Update: Now, this is interesting. Looks like someone ran some of the iTunes library files through a hex editor and found some references to support for cell phones. Motorola have been trying to launch an iTunes-compatible phone for some time now but it hasn’t quite got off the ground; maybe this is a sign that its launch is imminent.
New iTunes out
June 28, 2005
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June 28, 2005 at 17:24
I’m not an iTunes user. As a primitive Windoze user (lol) I use Winamp and iPodder. I think iPodder deserves my support, as does Winamp.
I prefer staying away from big…big…companies like Microsoft and Apple.
June 28, 2005 at 17:36
> I prefer staying away from big…big…companies like Microsoft and Apple.
Well, Winamp is made by Nullsoft, who is owned by AOL, who is part of Time Warner. Who is a big… big… company
I use either iTunes or Winamp, depends who I feel.
June 28, 2005 at 17:39
>I prefer staying away from big…big…companies like Microsoft and Apple.
I find your statement curious, considering you admitted to using Windows. Perhaps Linux would be better suited to you, being one of those “big companies are bad” people.
Anyway, back on topic. The addition of podcasting support to iTunes is certainly good, and should *hopefully* trigger wider support for podcasts.
June 28, 2005 at 18:10
I am, I run Linux too, but not primarily due to the fact that it’s not supported by many companies.
I know Nullsoft = AOL = Time Warner, but I prefer not only little companies but the one’s I can make a difference in my promoting and spreading.
Winamp is better than iTunes in everyway anyway, you can mod it for iPod support, it supports Shoutcast, DRM WMA (but not DRM iTunes, whimper) and is far more customisable.
I have a copy of most audio players on my PC, but I love Winamp.
June 28, 2005 at 18:22
> Winamp is better than iTunes in everyway anyway
No it isn’t, IMO. iTunes looks nicer and is somewhat easier to use, and has the music store. The iPod integration is better as is the CD burning.
June 28, 2005 at 21:59
Plus iTunes has Sound Check support, which Winamp and its iPod plugin does not.
So far the podcasting stuff works just like Apple said it would. I am pretty impressed.
Also the iPod update worked fine.
June 29, 2005 at 06:07
Does iTunes have online TV? No.
Does iTunes have customisable skins? No.
It is possible to skin Winamp, but personally I think iTunes looks too simple and patronising.
June 29, 2005 at 09:41
After buying a mini ipod last month, the drop in ipod photo prices is rather annoying.
I would have bought a photo at those prices. Ruddy Apple!
June 29, 2005 at 09:44
Oh and Winamp went horribly wrong after version 2. Itunes is for updating ipods, winamp 2.x plays music – it doesnt wash the dishes but neither is it bloated like the later versions
August 9, 2005 at 01:35
Podcasting
As my daily paper has featured a debate on Podcasting I decided that it was no longer something that I could ignore and decided to investigate.
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