Do I need an iPod for podcasting?
No. Although you can download podcasts to your iPod to play them on the go, you can listen to or watch podcasts on your computer, using iTunes, or on your TV, with Apple TV.
How does iTunes support podcasts?
The iTunes client application that you download and run on your Mac or PC lets you subscribe to podcasts and listen to or watch the episodes on your computer, iPod, or Apple TV.The iTunes Store, which includes a podcast directory, helps you find and subscribe to programs and helps podcasters publicize their programs.
How do podcasts work?
Podcasts consist of the episode files that you download, and an XML file that lists all the episodes. When you subscribe to a podcast, iTunes reads the XML file and downloads the latest episode. Each day, iTunes rereads the XML file. If a new episode is available, iTunes downloads it automatically.For more information on creating your own podcast, see the For Podcast Makers FAQ and the iTunes Podcasting Technical Specification.
How can I get started?
The podcasts directory in the iTunes Store is where you find and subscribe to new podcasts:
The Podcasts section of your Library is where you manage your existing subscriptions and play the episodes you have downloaded:
To find and subscribe to a podcast:
- Launch iTunes. If you do not have iTunes, download the latest version of iTunes, free.
- In the left column of iTunes, click on iTunes Store.
- In the box labeled “iTunes STORE”, click on “Podcasts.”
- Explore the wide selection of podcasts by clicking on the various pages and links. Alternatively, you can search for podcasts by entering search terms in the Search iTunes Store field. When iTunes displays results for your search, click PODCASTS to show only podcasts.
- When you find a podcast you want to try, click Subscribe.
After a few seconds, iTunes will begin to download the latest episode for the podcast you subscribed to. To listen to or watch the episode:
- Click the triangle next to the name of the podcast to see all the episodes:
- Double-click on the top episode to play it.
- To download and play older episodes, double-click on them or click the Get button.