|
Thursday, June 30, 2005 |
|
Dave Winer: "It turns out that iTunes does export its subscription list, in a weird format I've never seen before. It is XML, so it's process-able. But why not use the standard same one everyone else does? (Thanks to Denise Howell for providing the example.)"
I don't think that this is going to help us. As far as I can see, this is not a subscription list but just a playlist. There is no feed information. I believe that the iTunes API offers the best hope for comprehensive OPML import and export.
Technorati tags: itunes apple podcast podcasting opml 1:06:57 PM  comment [] trackback []
|
|
I agree with Dave Winer that iTunes should support OPML import and export of podcast subscription lists. I'm actually still using iPodder lemon because I don't currently have the time to recreate my podcast subscriptions in iTunes (currently I track around 30 podcasts). It would be so convenient if I could just export my iPodder subscriptions to OPML (already supported) and then import into iTunes (not supported). Furthermore, I might need my iTunes podcast subscription list for an alternative podcast receiver in the future (e.g. for my 3G phone).
Users need to keep control of items like their subscription lists to avoid vendor lock-in and to take full advantage of new developments.
I don't think that it is necessary for OPML import and export to be built-in - but it should be possible without hacks to add the functionality. This might already be possible for iTunes. iTunes has a reasonable API (AppleScript on Mac, COM on Windows). I haven't seen information on the API for iTunes 4.9 yet but all of the pieces except the actual development of the appropriate script might already be in place.
Technorati tags: itunes apple podcast podcasting opml 12:14:34 PM comment [] trackback []
|
|
One of the most useful new features in iTunes 4.9 is that iTunes remembers your place in a podcast when you stop listening to it, in an analogous way to a bookmark. This makes it possible to listen to something else and then later return to the podcast. iTunes will then resume playing from the bookmark.
This feature is also now available on 4G iPods (as part of the update released concurrently with iTunes 4.9).
Specially marked AAC files have been bookmarkable for some time. Some podcast receivers can make podcasts bookmarkable by converting them to AAC but iTunes' built-in support for bookmarkable MP3 podcasts is much more convenient.
Technorati tags: itunes apple podcast podcasting 11:34:58 AM comment [] trackback []
|
Last update: 4/11/06; 17:47:58 .
