The new version of Apple’s popular music download management software, iTunes, was released earlier this week.

iTunes 4.9 for Mac and Windows now includes built-in support for the downloading of podcasts and is available via a software update or as a free download from the Apple website.

A company press release said: “With iTunes 4.9, you can now browse and subscribe to podcasts from within the iTunes Music Store. Podcasts are frequently updated radio-style shows downloadable over the Internet. You can also transfer podcasts to iPod, for listening on the go.”

Apple has said that this new version of iTunes will take “podcasting mainstream”. The new Podcast Directory in iTunes 4.9 features over 3,000 free audio programs, with content from Disney, Newsweek and the BBC.

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