Apple embraces Podcasting

Steve Jobs announced at D3 a service to allow Podcasts to be integrated into iTunes 4.9 which he noted would be launched within approximately  60 days. Although he announced that this service will only apply to free Podcasts, he did not rule out paid services so companies such as Audible must be a bit nervous. Steve mentioned in passing Podcasts from Clear Channel, Sirius, Infinity, and NPR without specifying any details.

At the event Steve Jobs also showed off the Spotlight and DashBoard  features on Mac OSX 10.4 (Tiger). When pressed on a video enabled iPod or Rokr iPhone Steve did not rule out the introduction of a production if the correct feature set was present. He noted screen size as a problem and alluded to foldout screen technology as a possible solution.

Although the WSJ noted that Apple may start to use Intel chips it seems highly unlikely that Apple would switch to Interl from IBM on its Mac line however such a strategy could make sense for unannounced products such as the rumored Apple Tablet first reported by The Register.

A Mac tablet could solve the desire for many mobile executives to have a sub-notebook with extensive wireless capabilites as well as solving the problems of portable video display on today's small screens.