As mentioned in the past, I make extensive use of Apple Scripts to convert my downloaded podcasts to audiobooks and Audiobook Builder to rip CDs to audiobooks.  This allows me to rate and manage on my iPod and then remove them easily with iTunes smart playlists.  It also allows me to play the file at high speed on the iPod.  The process involves converting an MP3 to AAC (M4A), then changing the file name to end in M4B, then deleting the file and sending it to the trash, then recovering it from trash and readding it to iTunes.  Now do you see why I use a script to do that?  It appears that iTunes has finally made this process a little easier.  I’m not sure how it works with MP3, for instance, will it convert them to AAC?  I’ll still use my scripts for my workflow since I typically receive a dozen or so new podcasts daily but this is certainly a good way to handle one or two files at a time.

Hat tip to Lifehacker for this one.