Direct Podcast Downloads Coming to iPhone?

• By Charlie Sorrel  
• October 29, 2008  |  
• 8:38 am  |  
• Categories: Uncategorized

More details are leaking out about the next update to the iPhone software, version 2.2. In addition to Google Street View’s inclusion in the Maps application, there appears to be a small but significant change to the podcast section.

Seen at right is a shot from v 2.2 beta 2, the latest version which has been seeded to developers. See that line at the bottom? “Get More Episodes”. That looks like Apple has added the ability to download podcasts without a computer. Reports say that touching the screen still does nothing, but that could be added in future builds.

This could be the reason that the Podcaster application, which did essentially the same thing, was refused access to the iTunes App Store. The reason given by Apple was that it duplicated functionality found in iTunes. Of course, at the time there was no built-in way to download podcasts directly to the iPhone, but it looks like that will soon be an option.

It seems obvious, too. We can already download music and applications over the air. Why not podcasts? This is especially useful for travelers. When I’m on a trip, podcasts are what I listen to. Now, if this feature makes it in to the final build, I won’t have to take my computer with me just to get something to listen to on the way back home.

One thing that seems to have been missed in this screenshot is an extra icon down in the bottom left corner. That “Video” icon doesn’t exist within the iPod part of the current iPhone. Presumably, it lets you play video podcasts without having to skip over to the Video application. At last.

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