Apple Announces iTunes U on iTunes Store

The iTunes Store got a significant update today, in the form of iTunes Plus, but the DRM Free music support was not the only change. Apple also launched iTunes U, an area dedicated to educational content, freely available to everyone.

iTunes U, the iTunes Store feature, offer free content such as course lectures, language lessons, lab demonstrations, sports highlights and campus tours provided by top US colleges and universities including Stanford University, UC Berkeley, Duke University and MIT.

"iTunes U makes it easy for anyone to access amazing educational material from many of the country's most respected colleges and universities," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of iTunes. "Education is a lifelong pursuit and we're pleased to give everyone the ability to download lectures, speeches and other academic content for free."

"From its earliest days, Stanford has sought to serve the public by sharing the knowledge generated by our faculty and students," said Stanford Provost John Etchemendy. "Our partnership with Apple and iTunes U provides a creative and innovative way to engage millions of people with our teaching, learning and research and share the experience of intellectual exploration and discovery that defines our university."

Created in collaboration with colleges and universities, iTunes U makes it easier than ever to extend learning, explore interests, learn more about a school and stay connected with an alma mater. Content from iTunes can be loaded onto an iPod with just one click and experienced on-the-go, anytime, making learning from a lecture just as simple as enjoying music.

While this new feature will likely be shadowed by the release of iTunes Plus, it is nevertheless an important resource. Apple has shown time and again that while they care for making great products and the profit that goes with them, it is also eager to put the technology it develops to good use furthering education. The ease with which people can enjoy and discover new music can be used to broaden your horizons.