- App Redesign The redesign of Apple Podcasts was initially introduced in June when it entered the beta phase. Since then, it has remained largely unchanged, as Apple decided to stay true to its initial vision. The new look is characterized by a vibrant color palette. The Now Playing screen now showcases a “blurred version of the podcast cover art,” according to 9To5Mac. The volume and playback progress sliders have adopted a style reminiscent of the Music app. Chapter lists now provide information on “how much time is left until” the next episode, enhancing user navigation. Furthermore, search results can now be filtered by categories such as “Top Results,” “Shows,” “Episodes,” and “Channels,” making it easier to find specific content.
- Content Expansion Starting on September 26, subscribers to Apple Music, Apple News Plus, Calm, or Lingokids will gain access to a collection of “60 original podcasts” and more. This diverse range of content includes news briefs, radio shows, educational courses, guided meditations, and narrated articles. The latter is accessible through the Apple News Plus Narrated show. As of now, the Narrated show features 16 episodes, offering narrated stories from publications like GQ and The New Yorker. It appears that not all articles from these publications will be narrated, with only select ones receiving this treatment. Original programming episodes will be rolled out weekly throughout the autumn season, with a potential slowdown in the winter.
- Connected Subscriptions In the coming month, Apple will introduce a new Application Programming Interface (API) for third-party companies, enabling them to seamlessly integrate their content apps with Apple Podcasts. This integration will allow users to enjoy their favorite shows without the need to install additional apps, consolidating all content in one place. To benefit from this feature, users will first need to link their subscriptions to Apple Podcasts. Once connected, they can conveniently explore a podcast’s library across various devices, including their iPhone and Apple Watch. Initially, only a select few publications will support this connection, with notable names like the Wall Street Journal, Mamamia, and The Economist among the early adopters. While other developers have the opportunity to embrace this API, additional partnerships have not yet been confirmed.
This comprehensive update is currently being rolled out to all users, provided they have an iPhone running iOS 17. To take full advantage of connected subscriptions on Apple Podcasts, users will also need iPadOS 17 or macOS Sonoma, which was released recently. Apple’s commitment to enhancing the podcasting experience reflects its dedication to offering rich and diverse content to its global audience.
