Starting today, January 1, 2008, the magazines will be offered online using the podcasting distribution model for fast and easy access. Of course, you can also still get MP3 CDs, Audio CDs, and the print versions through your local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.Â
There is an advantage to subscribing to or downloading the AAC (.m4b) files instead of the MP3 version. Says the Help Page at JW.org:M4B: The M4B file extension can be applied to any AAC encoded file that is bookmarkable. However, to be more compatible with iTunes and iPods, the M4B files on this Web site are Protected AAC format. Protected AAC formatted files cannot be converted to other audio formats. The M4B file extension indicates to iTunes and iPods that the file can be bookmarked and therefore can be treated as a valid audiobook. This format can be played by iPods, iTunes, QuickTime, and other computer software programs supporting the Protected AAC format.”This means that the AAC files have the magazines’ images embedded within them which display appropriately during playback in iTunes or on an iPod or iPhone. The vast majority of MP3 files will have no graphics… not even “cover art”. [Note: iTunes, QuickTime, iPods, and iPhones all support the playback of MP3 files, too, not just AAC/M4B.]
For those who are completely new to this “podcast thing”, Apple has posted both an iTunes tutorial page with videos and a Tips page as well:Tutorial video about podcasts on iTunesiTunes Tips pageiTunes Keyboard Shortcuts Â