Calling All Podcast Listeners! (And Would-Be Listeners!)

iTunes 4.9 . . . IS OUT!!!

That means one thing: Built-in podcast support!!!

Now you can listen to podcasts on your iPod without having to use a piece of third-party software!

YEE-HAW!!!

Even if you don’t have an iPod, my understanding is that you can still download iTunes (for free) and use it to listen to podcasts and other audio content right on your computer, so don’t let not having an iPod stop you from joining the fun!

I’ve already downloaded 4.9 and installed it. Poked around the podcast area of the iTunes Music Store, too.

They have at least a couple of Catholic podcasts already in the store (Catholic Cast and Catholic Insider–in fact, they have two podcasts called "Catholic Insider" by different folks).

The selection is still somewhat limited, but they’re just starting out.

One limitation: So far all the podcasts they have in the store are free. You may think that’s a good thing, but it will keep some podcasts that folks (like me) would want to get from being in the store. Hope that they change that policy soon and let in podcasts where you pay an access charge (some radio programs do that).

In the meantime

DOWNLOAD iTUNES 4.9!!!

(NOTE: Just opening your current iTunes–if you already have it–should also prompt you to download the new version.)

Author: Jimmy Akin

Jimmy was born in Texas, grew up nominally Protestant, but at age 20 experienced a profound conversion to Christ. Planning on becoming a Protestant seminary professor, he started an intensive study of the Bible. But the more he immersed himself in Scripture the more he found to support the Catholic faith, and in 1992 he entered the Catholic Church. His conversion story, "A Triumph and a Tragedy," is published in Surprised by Truth. Besides being an author, Jimmy is the Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, a contributing editor to Catholic Answers Magazine, and a weekly guest on "Catholic Answers Live."

10 thoughts on “Calling All Podcast Listeners! (And Would-Be Listeners!)”

  1. We prefer to download mp3s straight from podcastalley.com, which has become very popular. No need to do this through iTunes. iTunes will have no problem adding it to your library later, and then to the iPod when you plug it in. I could be wrong, but podcastalley.com could be where you could get the most exposure at least for now (if what you’re worried about is the lack of exposure from not being in the iTunes music store). It’s where I found Fr. Roderick’s Catholic Insider and several other interesting shows.
    I’m not entirely sure why Apple incorporated podcasting into the new iTunes when you can already do this very simply. I’m afraid of people assuming that iTunes is THE WAY to get podcasts, and that Apple will find a way to ruin it, errr, I mean, “make it better”.

  2. So far I like the new podcast feature in iTunes. I like the fact that the podcasts go into a new top level menu-item on the iPod.

  3. If you download the new iTunes 4.9, do you have to reinstall all your music again?

  4. Simon: No, you don’t have to reinstall all your music. The new iTunes automatically recognizes where your music library is on your hard drive, just like your current version. You won’t notice any change in that regard.

  5. It is widely speculated that iTunes will soon offer certain podcasts for varying fees (subscription and per-download). This would allow you to set up a pay-per-podcast type setup.
    The reason iTunes’ podcasting is such a big news item is the fact that many millions of Windows and Mac users already have and use iTunes, and a simple upgrade to 4.9 will enable those millions of users to dive into the world of podcasting. I know many people (like my grandma) who would never have gotten into podcasts had iTunes not come out.
    She and others like her are seeing these new ‘pod thingies’ and listening to them; and anyone can easily publish their own if they would like.

  6. Happy! Happy! Happy!
    Look . . . I’m really stupid. Not to mentioned easily confused. If I can figure out a way to make something like podcasting more difficult, goodness knows I’m gonna do it. Usually by ignorance rather than by choice. (Have ya tried Googling “podcasting” recently? Criminey, man! Just sorting through alla that to get the info I’d need to get up to speed on this would take tons of time I don’t have.) If there’s a service that will make access to podcasts easier to get, as opposed to RSS feeds & third-party software that dopes like me are totally intimitated by, I’m all for it. And the fact that I already use iTunes is a major bonus! Point, click, listen. Love that.
    And I’ve just been dyin’ to hear Fr. Roderick’s pieces on Batman! Yea!

  7. Simon and Jimmy – In order to take advantage of the podcasting feature on your iPod, you have to install the latest version of the OS (or firmware) for your iPod. The only option I had when I did this was a restore, which did erase all the songs on my iPod. Of course they were re-loaded the first time I synced my iPod with iTunes.
    I am very happy with the Podcasting features in this new version of iTunes. Apple did it right. If all goes well for the next week or so, I plan to move all the podcatching from iPodder to iTunes.

  8. Hi Jimmy. Many thanks for your reply.
    I have updated to iTunes 4.9 and it works perfectly. God bless

  9. I downloaded iTunes 4.9 last night and have been listening to podcasts all day today. I especially love Catholic Insider, hosted by Dutch pries Fr. Roderick Vonhögen. Hopefully, Catholic Answers will be part of this within the year.

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