• by June 29, 2005

Here's something new for your iPod today. Apple introduced new software that's supposed to make the device easier to use and offers a podcast directory that offers more than 3,000 free audio programs and a menu that enables users to automatically send new podcasts to their computers. Apple also launched color screens for the iPod.

Podcasts on Apple's iTunes Music Store include a variety of topics ranging from movies to technology, and are offered by blogs and major news organizations.

Meanwhile, the search company Blinkx is expected to offer podcasts and video files that are completely searchable. Speech recognition software will transcribe and index feeds. Search engines and podcast directories usually index audio and video files by analyzing text that appears near the file. Some search engines use technology that pull closed-captioning transcripts from video programming. Blinkx already indexes video feeds from content companies with which it has agreements, including news organizations like CNN.

Yesterday, Apple also announced that all iPod and iPod photo products will sport color displays that enable users to view photos in a slide-show format. A 20-gigabyte model is capable of holding approximately 5,000 songs and costs $299. A 60-gigabyte version holds 25,000 songs and retails for $399.

Apple says it's also dropping $20 off the price of its $149 iPod Shuffle.