iOS9 Podcast app

[koffiejunkie]

Is it just me or has this app taken yet another giant leap backwards in terms of usability? Gone is "On The Go", replaced with "Up Next." I can mark something as "up next" but for the life of me can't see a list of what's "up next" or remove something from it.

I can make a station, but this isn't the same thing, as it merely contains podcasts, not items from various podcasts. I have no control over the order.

Can't I just make a bloody playlist?

 

[Cassady]

Have a looksie at Overcast? If you're a heavy podcast consumer, worth the bucks.

 

[koffiejunkie]

Yeah, I've been reading about it - might jump ship. I don't spent a lot of time listening to podcasts on my phone anymore. My commute is too short, my job doesn't really enable me to listen while I work, and at home I just use the computer. But I'm about to go on a trip that involves a lot of flying time, so this is going to be essential.

I'm a bit bummed that DoubleTwist was never released for iOS - I liked the way it works when I tried it some years back.

 

[krycor]

Yes it sucks ass, much preferred the previous version. The design element is what kills me as its now sized according to system fonts.. this is annoying as the playlist section now becomes tiny where previously it was well spaced. And don't get me started on the sync issue with marking items played which kicks up every few months.

WRT podcast playlist stuff, mine seems to function as required. The exact ordering of podcasts within is either by date or group'd by podcast but this hasnt changed. What i think happens is you click on the 1st screen and play in order of date everything u have available. it seems to default there when the app backgrounds or gets killed so u kinda end up playing without a playlist often

 

[koffiejunkie]

Hi guys, sorry for my slow response - I was globetrotting.

I did install Overcast and gave it a good work-out for the last 10 days. I definitely like it more, but it still lacks the one feature I really want: ability to make a good old playlist, i.e. I choose which episodes and in which order.

There are a few other minor annoyances, but the developer seems quite engaged so I'll give it a shot.

@krycor, yes, the sync drove me up the walls too. There are constant mismatches between what is shown as played and unplayed between the Podcast app and iTunes. And often, after playing an episode to the end, it would still show as partially played on the app.

 

[Cassady]

Hi guys, sorry for my slow response - I was globetrotting.

I did install Overcast and gave it a good work-out for the last 10 days. I definitely like it more, but it still lacks the one feature I really want: ability to make a good old playlist, i.e. I choose which episodes and in which order.

There are a few other minor annoyances, but the developer seems quite engaged so I'll give it a shot.

@krycor, yes, the sync drove me up the walls too. There are constant mismatches between what is shown as played and unplayed between the Podcast app and iTunes. And often, after playing an episode to the end, it would still show as partially played on the app.

Btw, Overcast was updated yesterday(?), I think - quite a significant one too. Now free (with optional IA-Donations...) - and includes new features i.r.o. the playlist, IIRC.

 

[krycor]

Yip.. tempted to go Overcast but I like the fact that i can listen to Podcasts from my notebook too. The one thing i like about iOS app is this and ability to play podcasts from the device itself instead of via network. That being said I hardly use that aspect.

Uhm.. i got use the finicky things with iOS Podcast app and continue to use it btw. I see Overcast is now free but not sure i will move over.

 

[koffiejunkie]

Btw, Overcast was updated yesterday(?), I think - quite a significant one too. Now free (with optional IA-Donations...) - and includes new features i.r.o. the playlist, IIRC.

This added priority as a consideration, but it's still on a podcast level, rather than an episode level.

That said, I can re-arrange episodes appearing in a playlist, so that at least gives me some control. I'll stick it out on this one for a while.

 

[koffiejunkie]

Yip.. tempted to go Overcast but I like the fact that i can listen to Podcasts from my notebook too.

This has kept me back for a long time too, but I'm more and more moving my media off my laptop and onto a NAS connected to my TV.

The one thing i like about iOS app is this and ability to play podcasts from the device itself instead of via network. That being said I hardly use that aspect.

Overcast will download the episodes, automatically if you want.

 

[krycor]

Overcast will download the episodes, automatically if you want.

yes.. a 2nd download with Overcast.. with iTunes you can stream it off the device via lightening cable. While in Sa i don't have issues with re-downloading it, when travelling, the ability to plug device into the notebook and play off it is pretty cool as I dislike adding media to my work machine.