New screenshots of the forthcoming iPhone 2.2 software have been dug up by blogger Florian Schimank, and they confirm over-the-air podcast downloads direct to the iPhone.

The shots, seen above and below, show the new iPhone podcast directory interface, and it appears that the update allows not only new versions of already-subscribed podcasts to be downloaded, but also browsing for new shows on iTunes. Video also appears to be supported. Another blog, M4gic.net, claims that this will work not only with a Wi-Fi connection, but also over 3G, although with a cap of 10MB, just like the App Store.

The shots also show that the App Store categories browser gets a new view, with icons instead of plain text.

This is huge. Being able to browse and download free audio and video content independent of a computer turns the iPhone into a true mobile entertainment machine, and pretty much quashes the competition (Zune marketplace, anyone?) I pretty much never listen to music on my iPod unless it's hooked up to a stereo. All my mobile listening is podcasts, and now I won't have to run out of things to listen to when I'm on a trip.

Podcasts über iPhone OS 2.2 nun verfügbar [Flo's Weekly via MacRumors]

iPhone firmware 2.2: Screenshots of the new podcast section [M4gic.net]