Apple Announces 125,000 Podcasts & iTunes Goes Wi-Fi

In addition to Steve Jobs’s numerous announcements yesterday relating to all things iPhone and iPod, the Apple CEO also dropped a couple numbers on the San Francisco crowd.

125,000 – The number of podcasts now available through iTunes.

25,000+ – The number of video podcasts available through iTunes.

“This is amazing material,” said Jobs during his announcement. That it is.

Podcast content creators have the freedom to express their creativity while flexing their marketing muscles. And businesses have the opportunity to showcase their products and services in a unique environment to a targeted audience. (Learn more about the business benefits of podcasting.

It helps that Apple’s iTunes has blazed the trail in creating an easy-to-use interface for finding and subscribing to podcasts. And now iTunes is taking the next step forward.

Yesterday Jobs also unveiled the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store. iTunes Wi-Fi allows users to download songs and albums over a wireless internet connection, no computer required. Users can download directly to their iPhone or new iPod touch (think iPhone without the phone part).

iTunes Wi-Fi is expected to be available later this month.

In addition to music, it will be interesting to see if iTunes Wi-Fi allows users to download and update podcasts over a wireless connection. If not a feature in this first iTunes Wi-Fi release, I predict this functionality to be available in the near future.

As a business owner, you can imagine the possibilities. Your podcast series, detailing new product launches, is seamlessly updated to a wireless device in the hands of someone who is now, more than ever, interested in doing business with your company. Or maybe you need to keep your mobile employees consistently in-the-know on extensive service updates – they download the latest audio update and are ready for business.

It’s time to ask the question: How can my business benefit from podcasting?