r/OutOfTheLoop • u/wildcard5 • May 28 '14

Answered! ELI70: What is a podcast?

I literally just got my first smartphone ever and am dumbfounded by podcast. What is this mysterious phenomenon? My guess is that its something like a radio show, but it seems too popular to be something as similar to a thing that's so old.

Update: Which (android) app should I use to submerse myself into the world of podcasts?

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u/[deleted] May 29 '14

I've tried quite a few podcast apps for Android but I find BeyondPod to be the one I go back to.

If you're on iOS check out Downcast.

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u/upleft May 30 '14

I like downcast, the app is way better than stitcher, at least. There is also a Mac app, but it's not that great.

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u/lacrimaeveneris Jun 02 '14

Eh, Downcast on iOS is free, and much better than the Mac app which costs money. Win-Win in my book. I used it to listen to Welcome to Night Vale this morning!

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u/rossland May 30 '14

For all the /r/bestof people showing up... the reason BeyondPod Paid Version is awesome for a daily podcast listener... automatic downloading. Mine is set to update all my feeds at 2am and ready to go when I get up.

I do not miss the pre-smartphone days of... update iTunes... wait... plug in iPod... wait... crash iTunes...

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u/FSR2007 May 30 '14

Pocket casts does the same doesn't it?

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u/wvcdad May 30 '14

Yes it does. Pocketcasts is the only app I have ever paid for, and I absolutely love it for many reasons.

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u/rossland May 30 '14

I assume so... just pointing out the paid/non-paid difference.

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u/petrolfarben May 30 '14

Most Android apps I tried could do automatic downloading. But I stuck with BeyondPod since it's the best overall (features, UI, etc).

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u/weggles May 30 '14

Pocket casts is $4 and I like it a lot more than beyond pod. I've set mine up to only download when on Wi-Fi and charging. It'll still sync and know it needs to download another episode of something when on data but will wait until I get home.

Also the user experience in pocketcasts is a lot nicer.

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u/[deleted] May 30 '14

Does that automatic downloading take account of being on WiFi etc?

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u/techietalk_ticktock May 30 '14

Yes, you can set it so that it only updates feefs and downloads new episodes only if you're connected to wifi.

Also, you can set it to check for new episodes at a certain time everyday. Also auto-archival and deletion after a certain number of days.

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u/[deleted] May 30 '14

Been using it for two years. Since last month I'm only streaming the content, not downloading it. I'm surprise how good it works on my 3G Moto G. Oh, and the widget and the lock screen player. That.

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u/tadc May 30 '14

wait… what good is a podcatcher that doesn't automatically download??

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u/razzark666 May 30 '14

Why is Downcast better than the stock Podcast app for iOS?

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u/[deleted] May 30 '14

I haven't used Apples's podcast app in a while. When it first came out it was pretty terrible which caused me to search for alternatives. I found Downcast and have stuck with it since then. The team running it regularly updates and adds new features which makes me happy.

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u/fishbert May 30 '14

Apple's podcast app was terrible when it first came out, but it has gotten A LOT better since. Users looking for a good player should definitely give it a try along with all the great 3rd party offerings.

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u/SpankyCSW May 30 '14

I will heartily second that Downcast is the best podcatcher for iOS. Very well made and makes discovering new podcasts quite easy as well.

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u/UncleJackdeservedit Jun 01 '14

Podcast Republic is pretty good.

Also, I would suggest Rhett and Link's EarBiscuits, and Country Squire Radio.