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Google Podcasts 2.0 Adds CarPlay Support to iOS App

Version 2.0 of Google's Podcasts app is currently rolling out, bringing CarPlay support for users on iPhone and iPad, according to the app's release notes.

googlepodcasts

Google Podcasts now supports Apple CarPlay so you can more easily and safely listen while you drive. We’ve also made several bug fixes to improve performance.

Google announced its Google Podcasts app for iOS back in March. As part of the release, the previously Android-only app received an overhaul that makes it easier to find podcast content, create lists of favorite podcasts, and customize the listening experience.

The app's interface has a simple focus that features three tabs: Home, Explore, and Activity. The Home tab features new episodes of subscribed shows, while Explore displays new show and episode recommendations.

The Activity tab displays listening history, queued episodes, and downloaded podcasts, with automatic downloading supported for each podcast a user subscribes to.

Google Podcasts 2.0 can be downloaded from the App Store starting today. [Direct Link]

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Top Rated Comments

79 months ago

It can't be any worse than the horrendous and embarrassingly inept and out of date native iOS podcast app.
My major disappointment with the stock app is how poorly it syncs podcasts between devices. For example, handing off a podcast to the HomePod listening to a bit, then try and pick it back up on the phone and I frequently have to fast forward it to where I was. Same issue with podcasts app on MacOS, so it’s got me hunting for other options. (Seems like the cloud syncing isn’t working reliably for me)

I don’t super have any other obvious gripes besides that though.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
szw-mapple fan Avatar
79 months ago

It can't be any worse than the horrendous and embarrassingly inept and out of date native iOS podcast app.
Haven't had a problem with Apple podcasts personally and it seems to be one of the only ones around that lets you customize downloading schedules properly and have stable support for custom RSS. It did have a period of instability and bugs a couple years back but the iOS 13 version seems to work pretty well. Windows support is also a plus.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Steve121178 Avatar
79 months ago
It can't be any worse than the horrendous and embarrassingly inept and out of date native iOS podcast app.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
79 months ago

My major disappointment with the stock app is how poorly it syncs podcasts between devices. For example, handing off a podcast to the HomePod listening to a bit, then try and pick it back up on the phone and I frequently have to fast forward it to where I was. Same issue with podcasts app on MacOS, so it’s got me hunting for other options. (Seems like the cloud syncing isn’t working reliably for me)

I don’t super have any other obvious gripes besides that though.
My experience is the same. The stock app does a good job of syncing subscriptions between devices but it doesn't sync timestamps. Syncing seems to be an issue for many podcast apps though. I've tried many and Castbox is my current favorite because of the UI. At least with Castbox it is possible to "force" a sync but you have to log out of your current device, log back in to the current device, and then log out and log back in to the device you are switching to.

They say syncs occur every 30 minutes but I'm finding that isn't the case for me.

Another favorite for podcasts is PocketCasts. I moved away from it because I prefer the UI of Castbox but I hear people rave that the newest version of PocketCasts does an excellent job of syncing.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)