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Apple Releases Dedicated iOS Podcasts App

itunes.apple.com

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Re: Apple Releases Dedicated iOS Podcasts App

#51

Post by jaysonelliot »

I understand why Apple felt the need to create this app. The current method of managing and listening to podcasts is split between iTunes and the Music app, and holds on to old models of syncing between the computer and the iPhone / iPod. It's a mess, and that, of course, is why there are third-party apps that have been doing a better job for podcast enthusiasts.

Unfortunately, this is bad news for the makers of the third-party apps. My personal favorite is Pocket Casts. They put a lot of work into creating a great user experience for podcast listeners, which seems to have been replicated in some ways in Apple's "official" podcast app. (I'm not saying Apple copied them, just that some of their UX conventions also exist in the Podcasts app.)

As I say, Apple did need to fix the current way podcasts are handled in iOS. Overall, it's probably going to be a good thing for podcasters, as it will make it easier for the average consumer to subscribe and consume podcasts.

It just makes me feel bad for the app developers who have gone through so much work to create excellent products, only to see their role shoved out of the way as Apple integrates this new feature into iOS. It's an old story; Apple's been doing this sort of thing on the Mac for ages (remember Coverflow?), but it still gets to me a bit. I'll keep using and loving Pocket Casts, I just hope they and others can compete now that Apple's got their own Podcasts app.

Re: Apple Releases Dedicated iOS Podcasts App

#52

Post by ajanuary »

theguycalledtom wrote: post #46
ajanuary wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Personally I hope they do more apps as app store downloads. I don't want a stock app and I want a different calculator app. They can come pre-installed, but I want to be able to delete them and redownload them as necessary. Podcasts weren't particularly visible before. I may be remembering wrong (I've changed the tab order in my own app) but Podcasts were hidden under the "More..." tab.

Ok, if someone tweets to you "Check out this cool podcast" and provides a direct link, how many steps does it take for you to subscribe?

I hadn't thought about that.

If it comes pre-bundled, click link, that opens in Podcasts app, click Subscribe.

If it doesn't, they've still currently got podcast integration with iTunes desktop, which means there will still be an iTunes page and itunes links will work, they just won't redirect to the itms-podcast protocol or whatever it is. They could link to the app from there.

Re: Apple Releases Dedicated iOS Podcasts App

#53

Post by 5teev »

Lewisham wrote: post #20
k-mcgrady wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think it's clear now that Apple likes skeuomorphism. They've been using it in the design of their products for the last few years. I presume it is helpful to less technical people (especially on device like the iPad which is attracting a lot of new and older computer users). They use this same radio design on the iPod nano radio (the first nano with a video camera). On that it's actually inconvenient and hurts the…

My biggest issue with this design, unlike say, the leather bound Address Book, is that it's tied to a technology that the generation Apple would like to appeal to have never used . It's akin to changing the App Store to having hand written floppy disks. All the teenagers that Apple would love to attract have no attachment, or perhaps not even an idea, about the object Podcasts is designed about. I agree that it proba…

The people who have never seen a reel-to-reel tape deck are already avidly using Apple technology. They may puzzle over this aspect of the UI, but they already know how to make it work with the more familiar controls (which are also available). Meanwhile older, perhaps less technically savvy users have a real-world analog to explain what's going on in the app. So, no harm for the savvy youths, some possible benefit for the older newbies.

Re: Apple Releases Dedicated iOS Podcasts App

#54

Post by pavel_lishin »

siglesias wrote: post #11
pavel_lishin wrote: post #9

I assume that Music will still support podcasts? I'm miffed that videos were moved to an entirely different app; I'm subscribed to the TED talks video podcasts, but have to launch an entirely different application to listen to them (and yup, I listen to 99% of them as I'm walking around instead of watching them.)

It won't. Podcasts are removed from Music in iOS 6.

Oh, goddamnit.

Re: Apple Releases Dedicated iOS Podcasts App

#55

Post by jonny_eh »

theguycalledtom wrote: post #46
ajanuary wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Personally I hope they do more apps as app store downloads. I don't want a stock app and I want a different calculator app. They can come pre-installed, but I want to be able to delete them and redownload them as necessary. Podcasts weren't particularly visible before. I may be remembering wrong (I've changed the tab order in my own app) but Podcasts were hidden under the "More..." tab.

Ok, if someone tweets to you "Check out this cool podcast" and provides a direct link, how many steps does it take for you to subscribe?

The podcast app is an improvement to the old way, requiring a person to go to their computer and load up iTunes, then to sync.

Re: Apple Releases Dedicated iOS Podcasts App

#57

Post by solsenNet »

jaysonelliot wrote: post #51

I understand why Apple felt the need to create this app. The current method of managing and listening to podcasts is split between iTunes and the Music app, and holds on to old models of syncing between the computer and the iPhone / iPod. It's a mess, and that, of course, is why there are third-party apps that have been doing a better job for podcast enthusiasts. Unfortunately, this is bad news for the makers of the…

I use Stitcher. and they've put a lot of work into it...

Re: Apple Releases Dedicated iOS Podcasts App

#58

Post by rince »

glhaynes wrote: post #27
rince wrote: post #22

I like the radio dial, seems like a nice way to browse the different categories. But this Podcasts app is missing 1 crucial feature it looks like - no ability to let you know the podcasts you are subscribed to have new episodes. I'm hoping that is expanded upon in iOS 6. Otherwise you still have to rely on syncing with iTunes.

Have you switched the "Subscription" toggle on for any of the podcasts you have? (Note this also reveals an "Auto-Download" toggle.) From the Episodes view, tap on the podcast itself at the top. I haven't had any podcasts update in the last few minutes, I don't think, so I haven't been able to test it.

Thanks for the tip - I would've figured since I'm subscribed in iTunes it would have turned on this feature.

Re: Apple Releases Dedicated iOS Podcasts App

#59

Post by balac »

jaysonelliot wrote: post #51

I understand why Apple felt the need to create this app. The current method of managing and listening to podcasts is split between iTunes and the Music app, and holds on to old models of syncing between the computer and the iPhone / iPod. It's a mess, and that, of course, is why there are third-party apps that have been doing a better job for podcast enthusiasts. Unfortunately, this is bad news for the makers of the…

Considering the history Apple has of "absorbing" the features of popular third party apps, at this point developers should almost expect it to happen sooner or later.

Re: Apple Releases Dedicated iOS Podcasts App

#60

Post by dmix »

runjake wrote: post #4

It currently isn't showing up if you search for "podcasts" but does if you search for "podcasts apple" although it won't be obvious it's from Apple until after you tap the result.

Thanks I thought it was another app not supported in Canada once again. Not the case.
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