Apple Records 300 Million Downloads with iTunes U

Apple has announced that iTunes U downloads have topped 300 million, earning its spot as one of the world’s most popular online educational catalogs.

iTunes U is a powerful distribution system for lectures, language lessons, films, labs, audiobooks, tours, and much more, according to Apple.

The feat was achieved in just over three years, Apple said in a report issued yesterday, with over 800 universities throughout the world now having active iTunes U sites.

Almost half of these institutions distribute their content publicly on the iTunes Store, Apple said.

Universities in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico and Singapore, have recently added new content.

Over 350,000 audio and video files from educational institutions around the globe are now available for all iTunes users.

“iTunes U makes it easy for people to discover and learn with content from many of the world’s top institutions,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of Internet Services.

“With such a wide selection of educational material, we’re providing iTunes users with an incredible way to learn on their computer, iPhone, iPod or iPad,” Cue added.

Apple describes iTunes U saying the service “makes it easy to extend learning, explore interests or learn more about a school.”

It was created in collaboration with colleges and universities, and has its own place within the iTunes Store.

Content from world class institutions such as Harvard, MIT, Cambridge, Oxford, University of Melbourne and Université de Montréal is accessible to the general public.

Thanks to the open nature of iTunes U, “anyone [has] the chance to experience university courses, lab demonstrations, sports highlights, campus tours and special lectures.”

“All iTunes U content is free and can be enjoyed on a Mac or PC, or wirelessly downloaded directly onto an iPhone, iPod touch and iPad,” Apple notes.

To learn more about iTunes U, interested parties can visit Apple here.

The link takes visitors to a page on Apple’s web site dedicated entirely to explaining how iTunes U works, and the benefits it poses.