Your friends are always discussing insightful points from "The Daily" or sharing amazing facts from "Every Little Thing"? Intrigued by podcasts but haven't taken the plunge? It's easier than you think! All you need is a smartphone and the right app.
Podcasts exploded onto the scene after Apple integrated them into iTunes in 2005. Now, you can find podcasts on virtually any subject imaginable. History, science, tech, news – the options are vast and high-quality. You're more likely to be overwhelmed by choice than lack thereof!
Start your search with familiar territory: your favorite radio shows or news websites. Many podcasts are independent, but others are produced by established media outlets (like PopSci). Check their websites for audio content – they likely already offer podcasts.
Search engines are your next best friend. Podcasts range from documentaries and comedy shows to interviews, historical analyses, and fiction. Refine your search by specifying your preferred format and area of interest, adding "podcasts" to your keywords. Google's podcast player might appear in your results, but you're not obligated to use it.
However, the most effective way to discover new podcasts is often through the apps themselves. Once you've chosen an app (see below), explore its search and discovery features. Many apps prioritize discovery, allowing you to browse popular shows by category. Apple Podcasts, for example, offers a helpful "You Might Also Like" section.
It's worth noting that services like Spotify and Amazon Audible have made some shows exclusive, which is a departure from podcasting's traditionally open platform. However, most podcasts remain widely accessible across various apps.
Numerous options exist, from the built-in iOS Podcasts app to specialized third-party apps. While you can download episodes and listen on any audio player, dedicated podcast apps offer crucial features like discovery tools and automatic downloads of new episodes. Here are some leading contenders:
Apple's original podcast app, while surpassed in features by competitors, remains a solid choice for playing and managing podcasts. It's ideal for Apple users, offering decent discovery tools and adjustable playback speeds.
Podcasts is free on iOS and macOS.
Google's clean and simple app excels at syncing playback across devices. It even plays podcasts directly from Google search results (if you're signed in). Features like a sleep timer are also included.
Google Podcasts is free for Android, iOS, and online.
Overcast (iOS only) boasts features like smart speed (shortens silences), voice boost, and smart playlists. Its intuitive design and support for Apple Watch and CarPlay make it a strong contender. A premium subscription removes ads.
Overcast is free or $10/year for iOS and online.
Pocket Casts stands out with its intuitive discovery section, features to trim intros and adjust playback speed, and excellent cross-device syncing. A Plus subscription unlocks desktop apps and theming options.
Pocket Casts is free or $10/year for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and online.
TuneIn combines live radio (over 100,000 stations) with podcast support. It's a great all-in-one solution. Podcast discovery and subscription are straightforward, and a paid subscription removes ads.
TuneIn Radio is free or $10/month for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and online.
Stitcher integrates news, online radio, and podcasts. Its well-designed discovery and organization tools are particularly helpful for those unsure where to start. Premium removes ads and unlocks original shows.
Stitcher is free or $5/month for Android, iOS, and online.
Castro manages podcasts like an email inbox, letting you selectively add episodes to playlists. This is useful for sampling various podcasts without committing to every episode. Premium adds silence trimming and chapter skipping.
Castro is free or $19/year for iOS.
Podcast Addict (Android) provides extensive features: powerful discovery, queue management, and advanced tools (keyword/topic filtering). High levels of customization are also available.
Podcast Addict is free or $1/month for Android.
Spotify is aggressively expanding its podcast offerings, including exclusives. While the podcast section integrates somewhat awkwardly with the music library, it's a convenient option if you already use Spotify. Podcasts are free, but premium unlocks offline listening.
Spotify is free or $10/month for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and online.
Shuffle isn't a traditional podcast player but a great discovery tool. It offers 60-second excerpts curated by other users, allowing you to sample podcasts before committing to a full episode.
Shuffle is free for iOS (Android coming soon).
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