Are you one of those people who have yet to invest in an Apple iPod Photo, a "Maxi," (i.e., High Capacity iPod), a Mini iPod or an iPod Shuffle? You should, today, because the makers of the iconic digital music player are giving you yet another life-changing reason to "bite" the bullet -- or "sweet spot" of the Apple, as we say.

The iPod has already revolutionized the music industry.

Now Apple is ready to take on radio by storm.

And radio stations are loving it as much as their dedicated listeners.

Listening to Radio Programming & Podcasts

On Tuesday, Apple's iTunes Music Store released a new version of their software and a podcast section -- self-published audio programming -- that offers more than 3,000 radio stations and hip audio programs.

On the more recognizable side of the fence, count in ABC News, BBC, Clear Channel and WGBH in Boston.

On the less recognizable, but up-and-coming avant garde side of the fence count in upstart programmers -- much like bloggers have been given a voice via text.

Now, those interested in covering a niche market or serving a targeted audience that is not just limited by region or national appeal can do so, as long as your audience uses Apple's free iTunes software.

Of course, if you don't own an iPod, you can always listen to the podcast content from your computer or you can burn a CD and listen to it in your car or home stereo. If I decided to go the "burn a CD route" I'd likely download at least a dozen podcast programs from one producer in order to make it worth my while. This is because most podcasts we listen to are only a few minutes in length.

While Apple didn't invent podcasting, the company will now bring it to the masses via the latest version of its iTunes software (Mac/PC).

Prior to the release of iTunes 4.9, users needed to download special software to subscribe to and download podcasts to their iPod. Now Apple has made it easy to listen to your favorite radio station or podcaster's program.

Think of it as TiVo for your radio.

You listen when it is convenient for you and your schedule. If you get distracted, just press the "pause" button until you can focus your attention again on the podcast show.

One advantage to avant-garde podcasts is that you get more meat and potatoes content and fewer commercials than most radio stations. At least, this has been the case with the few we subscribe to and/or have reviewed.

iPod & iTunes for Mac & Windows Users - 4.9 with Podcasting

Apple calls it "the next generation of radio."

The Company states:

With iTunes 4.9 you can now browse, find, sample and subscribe to thousands of free radio shows -- called podcasts -- then sync them to your iPod and listen anytime, anywhere.

Once you subscribe to a podcast, iTunes automatically checks for updates and downloads new episodes to your computer.

When you sync your iPod, all your podcasts come along for the ride.

You get on-demand radio, delivered automatically.

Current Featured Podcasts and their creators include:

ABC News Shuffle

ESPN Radio Daily

Cinecast with Adam Kempenaar and Sam Hallgren

The Daily Source Code and PodFinder with Adam Curry

Film Reviews by Joe Morgenstern on KCRW Radio

Le Show with Harry Shearer on KCRW Radio

Morning Stories by WGBH Radio

Nightline by ABC News

On the Media by WNYC

The Road Less Traveled with Dan Neil on KCRW Radio

The Treatment with Elvis Mitchell on KCRW Radio

Lois Melkonian

Since San Francisco television and radio personality Lois Melkonian moved to Colorado a few years ago, I haven't turned on Radio News -- save perhaps John Madden in the Morning on KCBS Radio.

Lois and her co-host, Dave Logan, broadcast a weekday radio show called "The Ride Home" from 3 p.m to 7 p.m. Mountain Time. Sure, you can go to the station's web site and listen to a live stream of the broadcast. But now, podcasting enables a fan to listen to The Ride Home at his or her convenience.

Of course, KOA 850-AM Radio needs to make the broadcasts available in a podcast format, which KOA has yet to do.

The next step for podcast producers is to go to Apple's iTunes Music Store and provide Apple with the URL of their podcast. Once the podcast is reviewed and approved, it becomes part of Apple's podcast directory -- available to millions of iPod users.

One of the best aspects of podcasting is that almost anyone can do it. All you need is some inexpensive hardware and software. And, of course, a good idea.

The only rules that apply: no pornography and no content that is copyrighted will be approved by Apple.

Engadget has a great podcasting tutorial.

3,000 Podcasts Currently to Choose From

Apple offers their podcasts in 20 categories -- from arts and entertainment to politics to comedy.

Apple iPod listeners even have their own way to keep on top of new music.

Two relevant podcasts are called iTunes New Music Tuesdays and a "show" called Inside Mac Radio with Scott Sheppard.

Each podcast comes complete with descriptive summaries and the podcast equivalent of album art.

Example of iPodcast Album Art

Once you find a podcast of interest, just press the play button. Unlike Hear Music where you get only a sample of a tune, Apple offers the entire podcast episode for you to determine whether or not to subscribe to it on a regular basis.

Apple's new service not only encourages iTunes users to subscribe to podcasts for free, with GarageBand they encourage people with a voice and niche content to publish their own podcast.

Randy Komisar, a partner at the venture capital firm Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers in Menlo Park, California said:

Radio is so constipated and so corporate and homogenized that it has been limiting the appearance of new voices, and podcasting will allow for this.

New iPod Product Line

On Tuesday, the Company simultaneously released a simplified iPod product line, which includes a 20-gigabyte model priced at $299 and a 60-gigabyte model at $399. The U2 Speical Edition 20GB iPod is priced at $329.

All of the large capacity iPod now come with a color LCD screen, iPhoto support and extended battery life.

One product was dropped from the current product line: the 30-gigabyte model.

iTunes Music, Radio & Podcast Store

To date, iTunes music lovers have downloaded over 430 million songs from Apple.com/iTunes.

Where a song will cost you 99 cents, downloading a podcast is currently free.

And Steve Jobs may keep it that way. His revenue stream is in the hardware.

At an industry conference this month, Jobs said:

What's so great about our iPod ecosystem is that everyone who works hard makes some money.

We make money from selling iPods.

.Mac's learning center makes it easy to set up your iPod -- even if you are not a techno geek.

For support, go to:

Apple is Not Alone - Blinkx Tracks 20,000 Podcasts

Blinkx, a search engine company that has been concentrating on indexing video and television, said that it planned to introduce an indexing service on Wednesday that would track more than 20,000 podcasts.

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "on-demand listening to your favorite musicians, podcast djs and radio hosts" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC