Apple has announced that the latest version of its innovative iTunes software is compatible with Podcasts - effectively giving a massive boost to a phenomenon that has been described as "the future of radio."

Apple's chief executive Steve Jobs delivered the news yesterday at the launch of iTunes version 4.9. The new iTunes - available from Apple's site for free - allows users to subscribe to and download over regularly updated 3,000 podcasts. Subscribers will recieve updates from their favourite podcasters automatically, which can then be transferred to their iPods for listening on the move. In the same release, Jobs announced that for new editions of iPods, full-colour screens will be joined by podcast menus.

Podcasting is the publishing of audio files on the internet, usually in radio-show format. Commercial and public broadcasters have introduced podcast services - Britain's BBC recently launched trial podcasts of selected radio shows. Services such as iPodder, created by iPodding "guru" Adam Curry, allow individuals to create their own podcasts and distribute them to web users worldwide. A quick glance at the posts on iPodder demonstrates the variety the publishing phenomenon can encompass: Latest podcast updates include religious sermons, puzzles, discussion shows, jazz music and individual, "blog-style" podcasts aimed at friends and family.

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