Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Overcast – A powerful yet simple iPhone podcast player

overcast.fm

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 125 posts

Re: Overcast – A powerful yet simple iPhone podcast player

#21

Post by [deleted] »

solutionyogi wrote: post #7
pflats wrote: post #2

Overcast's settings page encourages you to try Marco's competitors if you don't like his app, right above the export option. Ballsy and classy. ( http://i.imgur.com/xO09x8d.png ) It's a shame his two tentpole features (Smart Speed, Voice Boost) are locked behind the paywall, though. I'd have liked to try them out before dropping a sawbuck. Not sure if that's part of Apple's "no time-limited demos" policy, a business…

I don't know if you are from USA or not but 4.99 is a very reasonable price to pay. I spend that much money for apps where I have no clue if it will be worth it. Considering this app is by Marco, I would say that go ahead and buy it. It's highly unlikely that it won't work as advertised.

[deleted]

Re: Overcast – A powerful yet simple iPhone podcast player

#23

Post by dublinben »

hodgesmr wrote: post #18
smackfu wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm surprised anyone still distributes their own video podcast, rather than just putting it up in a channel on YouTube. The bandwidth bill seems like it would kill you.

Some of the videos I subscribe to are produced my large media companies (Cable News). So I could see how content ownership would be important.

I'm surprised any large media companies are distributing any video content for free these days. Everything seems to be locked up onto proprietary video platforms, or sold piecemeal in stores like iTunes.

Re: Overcast – A powerful yet simple iPhone podcast player

#24

Post by sjs382 »

[deleted] wrote: post #21
solutionyogi wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know if you are from USA or not but 4.99 is a very reasonable price to pay. I spend that much money for apps where I have no clue if it will be worth it. Considering this app is by Marco, I would say that go ahead and buy it. It's highly unlikely that it won't work as advertised.

[deleted]

I happily paid $2.99 for my favorite Podcast app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.snoggdoggl...

Edit: Missed a decimal there...

Re: Overcast – A powerful yet simple iPhone podcast player

#25

Post by hodgesmr »

dublinben wrote: post #23
hodgesmr wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some of the videos I subscribe to are produced my large media companies (Cable News). So I could see how content ownership would be important.

I'm surprised any large media companies are distributing any video content for free these days. Everything seems to be locked up onto proprietary video platforms, or sold piecemeal in stores like iTunes.

Most of the major news outlet in the US (NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, FOX) offer many of their programs for free. It's nice to get morning news when I wake up or drive to/from work.

Re: Overcast – A powerful yet simple iPhone podcast player

#26

Post by creativityhurts »

sjs382 wrote: post #24
[deleted] wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[deleted]

I happily paid $2.99 for my favorite Podcast app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.snoggdoggl... Edit: Missed a decimal there...

You mean $2,99. Kinda scared me for a second there.

Re: Overcast – A powerful yet simple iPhone podcast player

#27

Post by cr3ative »

sjs382 wrote: post #24
[deleted] wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[deleted]

I happily paid $2.99 for my favorite Podcast app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.snoggdoggl... Edit: Missed a decimal there...

I hope you missed a decimal place there.

Re: Overcast – A powerful yet simple iPhone podcast player

#28

Post by geuis »

Some feedback. I'm a heavy Downcast user.

1) Didn't import all of my subscriptions. Specifically The Patch from Roosterteeth. Considering the opml file contains the URL, I don't see why this happened.

2) At least one or two podcasts I deleted a long time ago got imported. I haven't examined the opml file but Downcast doesn't show them anymore. So either Downcast is doing something wrong or the import is.

3) I read the Skeptics FAQ. That's really helpful.

4) Despite the FAQ I still don't see why the account is needed. I very nearly didn't create an account. If not for knowing who Marco is I never would have. I feel very strongly about this with apps. Unless there is a clear and compelling reason to need to signup for a service then I don't.

The design is nice. But there's nothing compellingly different about this app compared to Downcast. It also has voice speed. It has lots of fiddly bits if you want to tinker with individual settings. Pay a couple dollars and get Downcast and you don't need an account.

Re: Overcast – A powerful yet simple iPhone podcast player

#29

Post by makmanalp »

untog wrote: post #20
pflats wrote: post #2

Overcast's settings page encourages you to try Marco's competitors if you don't like his app, right above the export option. Ballsy and classy. ( http://i.imgur.com/xO09x8d.png ) It's a shame his two tentpole features (Smart Speed, Voice Boost) are locked behind the paywall, though. I'd have liked to try them out before dropping a sawbuck. Not sure if that's part of Apple's "no time-limited demos" policy, a business…

Ballsy and classy. To me it feels a little haughty. Basically, "if you think anything in this app is wrong, you are incorrect, and should go elsewhere" Don't get me wrong, it's Marco so he has earned the right to dictate how an app is. It strikes me as more funny than anything else, but I wouldn't want people to see this and think they can replicate it without having a big name to back it up.

A year or so ago I would have agreed to you, but I'm on the fence now. Some criticism or requests are not necessarily wrong but take the product in a direction you don't want it to go.

Keep in mind that this is not the same thing as ignoring or disdaining criticism, it's just deciding to put it to use selectively.

No product can be, neither should it be, everything for everyone. Quite a few people thing google docs is fine, but some think it's lacking in features. They are both correct, in their own way.

Whether you choose to cater to everyone, which is a fool's errand in my opinion, is ultimately a business decision. If you think the product as you envision it will have buyers, then why not?

So the dichotomy of correct / incorrect is not as clear as you say.

Re: Overcast – A powerful yet simple iPhone podcast player

#30

Post by personZ »

pflats wrote: post #2

Overcast's settings page encourages you to try Marco's competitors if you don't like his app, right above the export option. Ballsy and classy. ( http://i.imgur.com/xO09x8d.png ) It's a shame his two tentpole features (Smart Speed, Voice Boost) are locked behind the paywall, though. I'd have liked to try them out before dropping a sawbuck. Not sure if that's part of Apple's "no time-limited demos" policy, a business…

Ballsy and classy.

It's also perhaps a bit manipulative. I'm not in any way saying this in a critical or dismissive fashion, but rather given that many here are learning from software like this, and I do think there is a lesson to be drawn from that.

Persuasion and social norms are powerful forces. Giving direct links to your competitors not only demonstrates confidence in your product (e.g. it must be better given that it confidently points you at alternatives), it can also diffuse criticism, ala "if you aren't happy, here are other options that might make you happy".

Recall that reviled Comcast phone call the other day -- the agent was using a tactic as old as time which is to make the caller feel unreasonable and unfair about cancelling (e.g. "until you've given me a good reason", and then a list of why they're better). Such a competitor link list may achieve the same goal for negative reviews/sentiments.

App looks great.

EDIT: Pretty extraordinary how literally (and simplistically) people take the Comcast comparison. I was describing persuasive techniques (of which our society is filled), not saying that Marco is equal to Comcast. It is deeply unfortunate that this needs to be spelled out.

It is also shocking how people are both going forth to fight any notion that this is anything but a purely selfless move wrought by good intentions, but because of such a selfless move wrought with good intentions isn't Marco a great guy (and so "ballsy and classy") and isn't it worthwhile to spend $4.99. I am not sure if the reality is lost, or the fan club has flocked in.

/r/hailcorporate

Post reply on HN