With every leaked iPhone 2.2 screenshot, the new software reveals more about its tweaks and additions, and this time is no different. A report accompanied by screens of the latest iPhone 2.2 beta builds reveals that Apple has activated new features of the iTunes Store to allow users to download podcasts directly to their device.

The new screenshots reveal that podcasts will appear in the normal Downloads area. Podcasts 10 MB or less in size are to be downloaded over cellular data networks; as for those larger, exceeding this limit, they will require the user to hook up to a Wi-Fi network. AppleInsider notes that it is unclear at this time whether Apple will restrict the feature to iPhones on a 3G connection, or if EDGE will also be used to download the respective podcasts. A new categories home page in the iTunes Store will feature large category icons and more spacing between each listing, the source goes to reveal. Lastly, Apple appears to have chosen new icons for category listing in the iTunes Store.



New iPhone 2.2 screenshots
Credits: Flo's Weblog

All this being said, Softpedia readers might recall that Apple recently said no to an app touting itself as able to download podcasts directly to the iPhone. The app's developer was startled to find that Apple had rejected Podcaster, not because there wasn't a chance of that happening, but because of the reasons for which it did.

“Apple had nothing in the terms prohibiting developers from duplicating features currently available on desktop application,” said the developer. “I followed all the guidelines and made sure everything is in the correct place. Yet Apple denies me because I allow users to download podcasts just like iTunes.” He added that Podcaster even offered a feature iTunes didn't, namely the ability to download podcasts directly to the device, according to its maker. That's right, it didn't, until now. Nothing can interfere with Apple's plans, can it...?