PowerPress, the popular WordPress podcasting plugin from Blubrry, has been updated to version 6.0. The new PowerPress comes with some changes to established functions as well as some new features. First among these are the new subscriber tools. From the PowerPress blog:

PowerPress 6.0 includes three new subscribe tools to help you convert your Web visitors into podcast subscribers.

Subscribe Page and Shortcode Embed: With the new subscribe page and shortcode, you can create a static page using an embed that displays a box, which provides subscribe options for the most common devices. You can create the page with one click that inserts a subscribe page template. The shortcode embed is responsive and features mobile device friendly buttons designed for high resolution “Retina” displays. Learn more about the PowerPress Subscribe Page and Subscribe Shortcode Embed.

Subscribe Sidebar Widget: We now include a “subscribe to podcast” sidebar widget. The widget features mobile device friendly buttons and includes a “More Subscribe Options” button that links to your subscribe page.

Subscribe Links: Below each player we now include subscribe link options that include iTunes, RSS and a “More Subscribe Options” that link to your subscribe page.

Other features include:

Official iTunes Subscribe Banner: In addition to the subscribe options above, we are excited to include the new iTunes subscribe banner.

Podcasting SEO: Search engine optimization (SEO) features have been added to help improve discovery of your podcast on search engines such as Google, and in the iTunes podcast directory.

Playlist Player: The new playlist player in PowerPress built upon the WordPress playlist player designed specifically for podcasting. Styling and functionality is the same, though shortcode options are different.

Migrate to Blubrry Podcast Hosting in three easy steps: One of the biggest complaints we had received was that it’s too hard and/or complicated to migrate a podcast. Not anymore! So as long as your media is currently online, our three-step migration process handles all the legwork for you.

Previous versions of PowerPress came with multiple options for Flash media players. But all of those players except for the 1 Pixel Out Player have been removed. This was done in response to the ever-growing lack of support for Flash on the web and mobile devices (PowerPress uses the HTML5 MediaElement.js Player by default). The PowerPress blog also notes that in order to use PowerPress 6.0, you’ll need WordPress 3.6 or newer because PowerPress relies on base code not found in older versions of WordPress.

If you’re already using PowerPress, you should be able to easily upgrade to 6.0 thru your WordPress dashboard. Or you can download the plugin from the WordPress plugin directory.