At Apple Computer's annual Worldwide Developer Conference, which kicked off Monday morning in San Francisco, CEO Steve Jobs called podcasting "the hottest thing going in radio." Judging by the fact that there are more than 8,000 podcasts, both amateur and professional, currently being broadcast, this looks to be true. Furthermore, Jobs previewed a podcasting feature that will be included in the next version of iTunes, and he promised to make it easier for people to create and distribute podcasts, according to a KOMO/Seattle news report. 

With the newest version of iTunes, users will be able to subscribe to different podcasts, which will automatically be delivered to their iPods. The service will include a directory of podcasts, and creators will be able to register their shows with the iTunes Music Store. "We think it's going to take podcasting mainstream, to where anyone can do it," Jobs reportedly said at the conference.

The CEO has previsouly said that podcasts on iTunes would initially be free, but he's been vague about whether Apple will eventually allow podcasters to sell premium content through iTunes.