Apple Gives Podcasts a Gentle Push Out of iTunes

[Donovan]

Podcasts were supposed to be a big deal several years ago, but that boom never happened. Now there’s at least anecdotal evidence that the format is actually picking up steam, as creators, listeners and advertisers warm to the format.
So why have podcasts disappeared from the new version of iTunes that Apple started showing to developers this week?

http://allthingsd.com/20120615/apple-gives-podcasts-a-gentle-push-out-of-itunes/

[andrewzarian]

I also saw this story. I think its just a bug in the beta build of IOS 6.. or it might get its own app.

[Donovan]

I also saw this story. I think its just a bug in the beta build of IOS 6.. or it might get its own app.

Anyone here have a developer account so they can see? I'm thinking about paying for one just so I have access to this type of stuff.

[Jadori]

Everyone kept saying that podcasting is dead. This organization is proof that it is getting stronger everyday!

[RichardCleveland]

True to form iTunes is making decisions based on the bottom line. Moving podcasts to an app on the portable medium may be a good thing because it would be easier to find just what your looking for. On the other hand it would give apple the opportunity to impose it's own set of fees for the service.

[Formulatech]

I also saw this story. I think its just a bug in the beta build of IOS 6.. or it might get its own app.

I have the iOS 6 build on a iPhone 4 and iPad 3 and I have no way to download a audio or video podcast on my iDevices from iTunes they show up in the search box thing but I can;t open them.

[Donovan]

And now there is an app for that: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/podcasts/id525463029?mt=8

[erictimmer]

I have a dev account and have been messing with it for a bit. It's not that great. Pocketcast is better.

Is this better for "us" podcasters? If the app ships with iOS6 and is not a download, it's probably not too bad. If the users have to download the app to get podcasts on their iOS device.....This is a bad thing!

I hope:
1. Apple bundles the app with iOS6
2. It's on the first screen.

PS. I think our stats are going to be off for a bit while people re-subscribe to our podcasts. I wouldn't jump to any conclusions if you get a big jump in the stats. It will probably take a month or so after the release of iOS6 for the virtual dust to settle.

[andrewzarian]

I had a chance to play around with the new app and I have to say.. It needs some work. a little confusing for someone who doesnt really know where and what to look for. I hope they fine tune it some more before IOS6 is out

[brianmonroe]

I am excited about this new app. I also have had a chance to play with it for a bit and it does look good. However, I agree with both AndrewZarian and EricTimmer that it is a little confusing but for a 1.0 app it is good. I am sure that Apple will improve it over time. The timing for releasing it was interesting as Google has their I/O conference starting today but it could just be that it was ready to ship and they did. Either way, I it is a good thing to have this app as it moves podcasts out front and center from being buried in the iTunes app along with (I assume as I have not tried it yet) allowing listeners to subscribe to new podcasts and get them delivered directly to their iOS devices over WiFi and I hope 3G/4G aka "cell data".

AndrewZarian, I do not they Apple has any plans to fine tune it before iOS 6 is shipped as any changes they wanted to make to the 1.0 build would have been made. But you never know as iOS 6 is not out yet.

[andrewzarian]

Google needs a stand along podcasting app. They tempted doing this with google listen but much like everything else google does... Its half assed

[brianmonroe]

Google needs a stand along podcasting app. They tempted doing this with google listen but much like everything else google does... Its half assed

AndrewZarian,

I agree 100%. All of the current mobile platforms should have a world class 1st party podcasting app. The thing is that only Apple seems to be doing this. I also agree about how Google does things. The thing I try to keep reminding people is that Google is like a large collage university where they experiment with things and for most things they do are not initially worried about making money from it.

BTW, I think you ment "stand alone, not along" lol

[erictimmer]

I don't know about you but I think Apple will tie podcast rankings based on what comes back from their app. I don't really want to use their app but I am thinking that it might be a good idea to get as many people as possible subscribed to your shows via the new Apple Podcasts App.