There were rumors that it was going to happen, and now the rumors are rumors no more.

On Wednesday, June 29, 2005 new iPod music players will use a new version of its iTunes music store software that includes radio podcasting capabilities.

The traditional white iPod line has been merged to contain two models of the music player -- Apple has even reduced the prices of many models of it's ipod as well. Some will include color screens and can be used for viewing digital photos.

Apple's vice president of iPod marketing, Greg Joswiak, said the moves are aimed at capitalizing on what NPD Group said was the 75 percent of the digital music player market that the company holds.

"We said we would continue to be aggressive," Joswiak said. "With the podcasting capability, we're making it very simple to listen to the music and information people want."

And that is music to any podcaster or podcatcher's ears. More shows, more music, more access.

The new iTunes 4.9 software has podcasting capabilities built in, and allows users to subscribe to more than 3,000 free radio podcasts. The podcast directory will include podcasts from the likes of the BBC, ABC News and ESPN.

All podcasts on iTunes will be able to be downloaded onto an iPod.

Jeff Mills, author of the popular Podcasting E-book, www.podcastsecretsrevealed.com, thinks this is a major move in the right direction.

"For about a year, we have been waiting for someone, or something big to standardize and recognize the great medium that podcasting offers people. Apple is opening the door and making it easier for iTunes users to listen and consume a show."