One Click Subscribe - iTunes
What I wanted to do on Podcast Shuffle was automatically link up all the podcasts to iTunes at launch but could never find a URL format. Well here it is PCAST!
A few folks have written up easy to create pcast links and files so that it is real easy to transfer a web visitor to their itunes. Here's a synoposis:
For Mac users, use pcast:// instead of http://
example: Subscribe to the Podcast Shuffle Show in iTunes (Mac)
For windows you apparently need to make a XML files and name it .pcast
example from pasta.cantbedone.org:
Serving Mac browsers (Safari and Firefox tested):
1. Use the pcast: protocol to form your feed URL:
pcast://del.icio.us/rss/gu.st/log%2Bsystem:media:audio
2. Done.
Serving Windows browsers (IE and Firefox tested):
1. Create a .pcast XML file:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE pcast PUBLIC "-//Apple Computer//DTD PCAST 1.0//EN" "http://www.itunes.com/DTDs/pcast-1.0.dtd">
<pcast version="1.0">
<channel>
<link rel="feed" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://del.icio.us/rss/gu.st/log%2Bsystem:media:audio" />
<title>gu.st</title>
<category>Blog</category>
<subtitle>Me. And others.</subtitle>
</channel>
</pcast>
2. Set Content-Type to "application/octet-stream"
3. If your file does not end in .pcast, be sure to set the Content-Disposition to "attachment; filename=whatever.pcast"
Example:
Subscribe to the Podcast Shuffle Show in iTunes (PC)
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I need to update the Podcast Shuffle database now to create those links. ;)
11 Comments:
This is how you know I'm tired today - I was going to ask "Hey, what about Linux? Can us linux users have urls that will generate links which will open in iTunes?" It took me about a full minute to remember that there is no iTunes for linux.
Where do you host the XML file? On the same machine where the RSS/XML file resides? Is this b/c Windows handling of the HTTP request?
Thanks
Steve
Hey Steve... I host my own pcast xml file on my server. However It could be anywhere.
http://www.podcastshuffle.com/pss.pcast
For Windows you need the PCAST file because... uhmm I don't know... you just do. My guess is that Windows iTunes doesn't support the pcast:// protocol or Windows in general doesn't.
Jeff
How do I Set Content-Type to "application/octet-stream" some kind of program? I tried uploading it with Total Commander as a binary file, but when click it, it just shows the text instead of starting up iTunes
Now that we're in the final days of October, do you know if this information has changed/been updated? I'm seeking info. on how to create one-click iTunes podcast subscription buttons/links for my podcast, Tempo of the Down.
Here is why .pcast files and pcast:// are bad.
Shame on you Apple!
@Harold Johnson - as far as I know this information is still up to date. There's no multiple-OS one click solution for RSS urls. If you have the iTunes id you can create a one click solution.
I've attempted to view your .pcast file on a windows xp machine with latest version of iTunes installed. When I click on the http://www.podcastshuffle.com/pss.pcast file, it does not fire up iTunes, in fact it does nothing. It works fine on the mac. I'm trying to fine a reliable single click solution. So far I've not found one. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
@JIm Hankins - maybe try downloading the pcast file and right click on it and choose "Open With" if that works choose to open pcast files with iTunes in the program association menu (Sorry no PC with me at the moment - can't tell you exacly how to do it)
Hey Guys, I worte a small PHP Code for those who are confused...
Click to view
hi chaps, im a real beginner on RSS and podcast and i need your help please.
i want to create a .pcast file so when the user clicks on it opens up itunes and download the video. i have read the tutorial above but still very confused about it, can you give me a sample file so i can edit the codes? cheers
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