PDF Enclosures in iTunes Podcasting Section

Podcasting fans might have noticed that you can now get PDF enclosures as subscriptions in the podcasting section of iTunes.

One example of such a PDF enclosure is the Wikinews print edition. You can search for it and subscribe directly from within iTunes. Instead of receiving an audio enclosure, iTunes will download a special PDF for your viewing pleasure every day.

This is not exactly a new technological breakthrough, as PDF has been supported by iTunes in the podcasting specs ever since version 4.9, however, it is only now that this means of delivering content is starting to be used.

The insertion of PDFs into iTunes is not just a simple occurrence as Apple slowly makes the program a one stop solution for acquiring all types of media. With its own embedded browser renderer, iTunes could very easily also become a RSS reader, among many other things.

It is already enjoying success in the iTunes University programs, where PDFs would play an integral role in delivering information to the students. The only thing it cannot handle right now is e-books and e-magazines, but Apple could easily upgrade the FariPlay DRM to allow for the delivering of such content.

And if Apple does eventually move to include e-books, these could be synced with the iPod, of which if there ever was a full screen version as the rumors abound, it would add another dimension to the already massively popular device.