Podcast applications wars gabz.me

@Gaby I use Apple Podcasts app on iOS, iPadOS and macOS. On Android I use the Google Podcasts app. I have no problem with them, and I don’t have to worry too much about the direction the app takes, because there is very seldom any changes, nor do I have to buy anything, or see it discontinued, (I hope).

(Topic change) What I don’t like is that Spotify and Audible also have become podcast apps. I am not interested in seeing a podcast whether when I want to listen to a book, or some music.

@Gaby I've been a pretty devoted Castro user for years now. I'll echo your comments about their recent bug-related issues. I'm hoping they can get those ironed out soon; perhaps the reason for them is they've been focused on an iPad app lately?

I'm very curious to see what'll happen with Pocket Casts in the future. Just three years after they were bought up by a group of public radio giants they've been sold again. I don't think this spells doom for them, but it also doesn't seem great. Regardless, if I weren't using Castro I'd probably be using Pocket Casts—it just looks so nice!

// @odd I can definitely agree with your sentiment. What's the problem with music and audiobook players staying music and audiobook players?

@Gaby I have been using Pocket Casts for quite a few years when I was switching from my work iPhone to my personal Android phone. It was one of the few I could sync things back and forth at that time. I have continued to be happy with Pocket Casts over the years and they have made some good improvements over time but I too am curious what will happen next with them after being sold again (as @dandycat said).

@odd yeah, i don’t use Spotify so I don’t see it, but definitely audible, I try to ignore that they are there

@ericmwalk i think this is why I am also hesitant to get into Pocket Casts, whenever an app like this gets bought I get a little uneasy

@Gaby Still on Castro, but also having issues with it. PocketCasts is still installed, but I’m always using Castro. Do you also have/had the bug where playback speed changes on its own ?

@maique yup, or some shows don’t show new episodes 😅

@Gaby Apple Music sucks mate! Spotify FTW! And, I jump across Overcast, Castro & Pocketcasts. I purchased them all back in the day. For me, I always come back to Overcast! Marco doesn't force annual subscription for Overcast's best features.

@Gaby overcast. But since March, last year, with the beginning of work from home that I don’t listen to podcasts anymore. Being stuck in traffic for 1h30m per day was my podcast time. Now I don’t have it anymore as it takes me 4 seconds to get from the bedroom to the office :P

@odd I have to agree with your assessment on Spotify & Audible. Lately, I find myself listening to more podcasts on Spotify and Audible which is not their original purpose was!

@ridwan i have a feeling that I might end up wit overcast as well, I don’t know, we shall see. This is a never ending thing 😅.

@Gaby I feel ya! I guess this is what all podcast lovers do! Run to their favourite apps like headless chickens. 🤣

@Gaby Maybe Marco will surprise us with a UI refresh. 😀

@mcg 😬😬 doubt it? 🤭🤭

@ridwan Spotify and Audible aren’t great for the open podcast ecosystem.

@Gaby I was totally joking. He won’t.

@ridwan or todo apps lol 😂

@mcg i know 😋

@Gaby "Then Overcast started feeling old, and stale, not much innovation or… Well, if it ain’t broke… But still, I feel like I am paying for a yearly subscription and not getting much out of it." - overcast is free, the annual subscription is more of a tip... it removes ads, allows upload but not much else? If you cancelled the subscription you could still use the app...

@jpayne yeah, but i thought that “giving a tip” should entice the application’s further development …

Perhaps I’m wrong

@Gaby for me - I started with Instacast back in the day which died right around the time Overcast came out so I switched and never looked back. Honestly the UI doesn't bother me as I usually only listen to my priority playlist. Occasionally I just dive in to reorder a little but then im back out quick.

@jpayne it is still a solid app, and I still have it installed and I would not be surprised if I end up just back using it full-time but I’d like to give pocket casts a fair try since it’s one i hadn’t really used since Overcast first released

@mcg I think Spotify is now pushing for more podcasts. But, Audible is just in its own world.

@ridwan Not really what I mean. They have closed directories, shows exclusive to the platform. They have serial audio shows,not podcasts. They want to end the open platform of podcasts as we know it and make them exclusive to their platforms.

@mcg Hmm! I never saw it like that. You are right, Spotify and Audible are pushing towards serialised episodes (audio shows). I do think Spotify will eventually make a lot of their original shows exclusive to their platform, just like Audible. I guess, this is inevitable.

@ridwan The more we used the platforms for “podcasts” the more inevitable it becomes. Better to try and keep podcasting open and try to use and support truly open podcasting apps and shows.

@zak i a hundred percent agree with this

@Gaby We may have spoken too soon. Marco just refreshed the watch app. 😀

@mcg I’ve noticed 😅

@Gaby @mcg As an Apple Watch wearer, it is a great update.

Also, generally, using something that is rock solid and doesn't needlessly change whilst the developer makes big empty promises is very nice. It reminds me of plain text, RSS, email... the idea behind protocols > platforms.

I agree that improvements are good but with something like podcasts shouldn't the focus be on, you know, the podcasts?

@simonwoods @mcg well it’s like saying “you should focus on the scenery and not the car you’re driving” why not focus on both? I like comfort, working ac, and a nice looking dashboard 😁

@simonwoods Mostly agree. Overcast is solid and a great player generally, but it’s interface is kind of stale, and it’s queue management never clicked for me. If I am fighting with the tool, I might not enjoying podcasts as much. One of the great benefits of podcasts is that anyone can build an app, then innovate the listening/management experience. Dig around for what’s happening in the Podcasting 2.0 space.

@gaby I get what you mean, and agree to a large extent.

@mcg I'm fortunate in that Overcast just works for me and I never have to think about using it; it's intuitive, like scrolling on the iPhone.

I have more thoughts but it is turning into a full post (of course 😅). Shall get that written up and link back. 😂

@TheDimPause @simonwoods @Gaby Of course all this discussion has me re-evaluating Overcast. It’s been a while since I last used it 🙃

@TheDimPause Ditto on Overcast. I also like the ability to speed up podcasts.