Apple released iTunes 4.9 today. This is the version that supports podcasting. I�ve installed it, run it, and now I will review it. So here you go.

The Good
If you are new to podcasting, using iTunes to find content is very easy. They have a lot to choose from and it organized into nice categories. To subscribe you pick a show and double-click. This will add the show to your iTunes library, and download the latest episode. That�s it. You can now listen to the show or sync your iPod and listen to the show on your iPod later. So that�s the good.

The Bad
Out of the box, iTunes 4.9 is incomplete. The feeds are not complete. When you find a show a lot of the information is missing. Why, because iTunes is using their own RSS tags and they didn�t let anybody know about it. SUCK. So I added my podcast to a �ADD YOUR PODCAST� link and it came up blank.. The shows were there, but the cool detailed info was missing. WEAK. Also, iTunes 4.9 looks like PODCASTING � WE PREFER PROFESSIONALS. At the top of the page are podcast from big media giants. Star 98.7 and other radio stations get a lot of real estate. The indie podcast are located at the bottom of the page. Do a search for our podcast and it�s not their. HO-HUM. If you want to add a podcast, like NIMH, you have to get the RSS feed, copy it and add it to iTunes. So what’s the difference between iTunes and iPodder, very little. It’s very disappointing. So instead of newbie podcast getting love, KCRW, ABC News, and STAR 98.7 get all the love and no budget podcasters get no love.

The Ugly
As I mentioned, iTunes uses �special� RSS tags. I know have to retype my RSS feed to add the iTunes tags. So I have some work ahead. I need to buy a notebook computer. Donations will be accepted.