According to Jon Udell, Apple has begun offering universities a free platform to publish spoken-word events such as lectures. I’ve already received two email messages asking me, in essence, “Does this mean Apple is competing with The Conversations Network?” The answer is No, and here’s why:

• Apple accepts completed programs, whereas The Conversations Network starts with raw audio and provides extensive post-production and editorial services.
• According to Jon, files hosted by Apple can only be downloaded by iTunes software. (According to others, the OS X version of iTunes can at least be used with non-iPod devices.)

Everything published by The Conversations Network can be downloaded and subscribed to using any podcatching software without any DRM (Digitial-Rights Management) restrictions. Our programs may be found and downloaded via iTunes as well as any other directory or using any other podcatching software.