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Pocket Casts goes open source

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Re: Pocket Casts goes open source

#101

Post by zdunn »

mellosouls wrote: post #53

Is this fully open-source, or just the clients? eg. can you use them with out any interaction with the pocket cast server, and subscribe to podcasts using open/other feeds?

The repos they linked are just for the clients. I think the server software would be way more interesting, but it's also their secret sauce so it unlikely they'll open source that.

I'm with you that allowing the clients to connect to a different sync server (gpodder, etc) would be a great feature. Though, again, I don't see that happening because it would cut into their subscription service.

Re: Pocket Casts goes open source

#102

Post by fbdab103 »

KingJulian wrote: post #22
brnt wrote: post #15

If I use Antennapod, is there any reason to check this out?

PocketCasts has a feature called _Volume Boost_ which boosts the sound level. This is often helpful in some podcasts where the audio level is a bit too low in some sections. To my knowledge, Antennapod does not have this. I've been using it for over a year now.

This is amusing to me, as my perpetual problem with phone audio is that everything is too loud. I am repeatedly tapping between the lowest tick and full mute, because I am already at the bottom of the standard curve.

Re: Pocket Casts goes open source

#103

Post by hombre_fatal »

nxte wrote: post #83
lucasfcosta wrote: post #33

I quite like Pocket Casts, and I think that's the right move for them. I really hope folks don't entirely move to Spotify and their proprietary app and protocols.

Unless Spotify adds support for adding podcasts via RSS Feed URL, I don't think there will be major risk of a large scale move.

I imagine very few people care about that.

I can’t remember the last time I had to paste in a podcast url anywhere. I just search for a podcast in-app and click “Subscribe”.

Re: Pocket Casts goes open source

#104

Post by alias_neo »

phpisthebest wrote: post #63
alias_neo wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is ad-segment or sponsor-segment free podcasts a thing? I too pay for Spotify and I tried to get into some podcasts, starting with Darknet Diaries, but the ad and sponsor segments are just too jarring. I guess I'm not paying enough in my Spotify subscription to get it without that stuff, so who/what/where do I pay to get some podcasts I want to listen to without it?

>so who/what/where do I pay to get some podcasts I want to listen to without it? Podcasts are still, and I hope stay that way what the web should be Most podcasts offer some kind of Paid / Subscription that is Ad Free, but you have a subscribe to them Individually, not through a platform like Spotify, then you need a Add like Pocket Casts where you can add the Subscriber Feed instead of the public feed. I do not want…

Thanks that's really helpful to know!

Re: Pocket Casts goes open source

#106

Post by myko »

hairofadog wrote: post #61
Thlom wrote: post #26

Best part of PocketCast is the stats. It can tell me that since 2016 I've listened to 135 days worth of podcasts and apparently I've "saved" 46 days by increasing the playback speed and 3 days from trimming silence. (I also have 350 hours in my "up next" queue ...)

I like Pocket Casts and I’m not knocking the fact that they have them or that other people like them, but stats like these make me feel existential dread.

That's so interesting, I never considered it but think I understand how you feel.

I've always wanted more stats like this. I expected/hoped Google Play Music (and now the inferior YouTube Music) would provide amazing overviews of what you listen to. I wish I had stats on the music I listened to in WinAmp in the 90s and a way to see the change in my musical tastes (and the consistent threads through the years). I bet I could track relationships very easily by the playlists I listened to.

Re: Pocket Casts goes open source

#107

Post by mellosouls »

zdunn wrote: post #101
mellosouls wrote: post #53

Is this fully open-source, or just the clients? eg. can you use them with out any interaction with the pocket cast server, and subscribe to podcasts using open/other feeds?

The repos they linked are just for the clients. I think the server software would be way more interesting, but it's also their secret sauce so it unlikely they'll open source that. I'm with you that allowing the clients to connect to a different sync server (gpodder, etc) would be a great feature. Though, again, I don't see that happening because it would cut into their subscription service.

Hmmm, if that's the case, then except for those who don't mind being locked in, its not clear what the motivation is to contribute.

Though I suppose if there is enough benefit to the free product (I'm not that familiar with it) - and confidence it will remain free - that might be a draw.

Perhaps there is also potential for it to be forked for a genuinely open service - I'm just a bit sceptical about "open source" that doesn't keep the implied convention to be fully independent, but perhaps that's unfair or unrealistic here.

Re: Pocket Casts goes open source

#108

Post by matheusmoreira »

Thlom wrote: post #26

Best part of PocketCast is the stats. It can tell me that since 2016 I've listened to 135 days worth of podcasts and apparently I've "saved" 46 days by increasing the playback speed and 3 days from trimming silence. (I also have 350 hours in my "up next" queue ...)

Imagine how much time we can save by skipping ads and sponsors.

Re: Pocket Casts goes open source

#109

Post by trts »

simoneau wrote: post #92
stavros wrote: post #19

This is great news, I love Pocket Casts. Unfortunately, with Spotify acquiring Gimlet, a good chunk of good podcasts has become paywalled, and can't be listened to with any player. On top of that, Spotify absolutely sucks for podcasts, I can never find what I've listened to and what I haven't.

I have a moment of morning when a podcast I love disappears behind a firewall, most recently Heavyweight. Then I remember there are tons of other great podcasts out there I’ve never even tried and move on with my life.

Heavyweight though sadly is in a league of its own. The double insult is that if you pay for Spotify you still get ads.

Re: Pocket Casts goes open source

#110

Post by tomrod »

scarface74 wrote: post #95
tomrod wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, they are obligated because that's what a lifetime subscription means even if they added snotty fine print in a EULA.

And what court is going to force them to run servers forever and keep updating the software?

Federal courts, and probably state courts.

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/topics/truth-advertising

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_advertising#United_State...

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