IPod to be radio's 'saviour'

THE iPod has revolutionised the music industry - now it is set to take on the world of radio. New software released today by Apple, the company that produces the iconic MP3 player, allows owners to download radio programmes.

Experts say it could change the face of broadcasting forever. James Beechinor-Collins, editor of gadget magazine T3, said: 'This is really going to be something of a saviour for many radio stations.

'The key is that this is easy enough for any iPod owner to use. There are certainly enough big stations, for instance the BBC and Virgin Radio, to make this a success. I think we will also see a lot of smaller stations thriving because now they have a whole new audience.'

The podcasting idea was tried out by the BBC late last year, using Melvin Bragg's Radio 4 programme In Your Time. More than 70,000 people downloaded the show and the BBC now has dozens of shows available for download, including Radio Five Live's Sportsweek and the 8.10am main interview on Radio 4's Today Programme.

Today's announcement from Apple means online listening figures are set to rocket as previously iPod owners had to download separate podcasting software to download shows.

Currently the podcasts are free. However, Mr Beechinor-Collins believes Apple could soon charge for some shows. He said: 'Commercial stations may well be looking to charge for shows in the same way Apple charges to download a song.'

Apple hopes that by making it easy for users to download the programmes, it will drive more traffic to its online iTunes Music Store, where the company has over 3,000 free podcasts available.

How it works

1. iPod owners choose the shows they want to listen to from a list of over 3,000.

2. iPod is plugged into computer.

3. Software automatically downloads the latest available version of the radio show, and copies it to the iPod.

4. User listens to show as if it were a normal iPod song. They can pause, fast forward and rewind.

5. When iPod is plugged back into computer, it checks to see if there is a new version of the show, and downloads it if it is.