Podcasting Hits the Mainstream

[DudeAsInCool]

In One Stroke, Podcasting Hits Mainstream

EVER since Steven P. Jobs returned toApple Computer in 1997 after a 12-year absence, his company has thrived by executing the same essential formula over and over: Find an exciting new technology whose complexity and cost keep it out of the average person's life. Streamline it, mainstream it, strip away the geeky options. Take the credit.

A new section of iTunes displays featured podcasts along with a Top 20 list, right. You can also search, top right, by entering the name of a show or a podcaster. Subscribing initiates an automatic download when each episode becomes available.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/28/technolo...FbyN4bl0W0oNX8Q

So far, Apple has worked this kind of magic on digital video editing, wireless networking, online music selling, R.S.S. feeds (a kind of Web site subscription) and other technologies. Its latest attempt, however, will be music to an awful lot of ears. With its release of the free iTunes 4.9 software for Mac and Windows, Apple has just mainstreamed podcasting.http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/28/technology/circuits/28pogue.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1122509843-yhRlanIFbyN4bl0W0oNX8Q