Gone are the glory days of sipping a cup of coffee while waiting for the scratchy, buzzing noises of dial-up internet to update your RSS Feed with the newest podcast to your computer. I know, I miss those days too.
We have apps for podcast listening now, known as “podcatchers” amongst podcast junkies like yours truly. Whether it’s an iPhone or an Android, there are numerous options out there on how to tune into a podcast.
There’s probably not a wrong option for podcast listening nowadays, as each app fulfills a basic necessity for pod listeners: being able to subscribe and listen to new episodes immediately when they come out.
But some offer key features that others don’t. Here’s a few I looked at this week.
(Disclaimer: Because I have an iPhone, most of these apps reviewed are made for an iOS operating system. Sorry, Android friends.)
Stitcher Radio
Stitcher Radio’s name has a specific meaning behind it, as the app allows users to “stitch” together customized playlists of their favorite podcast episodes without downloading the episodes specifically.
That’s pretty neat, especially when I don’t want to listen to episodes from the same podcast back to back in the listening queue. The app also features a “front-page” where users can see recommendations the app’s algorithm determines for them.
And for as popular as Stitcher Radio is for Android users, I can see why. Its interface is simple to use, with categories for discovering new podcasts displayed in easy-to-tap graphics. One can even get more specific with podcast topics by looking for podcasts in obscure niches like “Poker and Gambling” and “Beer Brewing.”
The features are a bit bland and commonplace beyond the “customized playlist,” though.
There’s an added sleep timer for when one wants to fall asleep when listening and a “car mode” for when one is driving, but plenty of other podcatchers have those features too.
Rating: 4 out of 5 earbuds
Apple Podcasts App
As much as I’m an Apple product “fanboy,” my unconditional admiration for Apple ends with its in-house podcast app. And considering Apple was one of the first to jump onto the podcast trend back in 2005, one would think the company would have perfected the app by now.
The interface can be confusing to navigate, as the app sometimes plays the most recent episode of podcast when I may just want to listen to an archived episode. The categories for browsing new podcasts by topic aren’t as selective and specific as other podcatchers (like Stitcher).
I mean, the app isn’t bad, per se. It gets the job done in terms of delivering all the podcasts one needs, and it’s a free and ad-less experience for iPhone users. But there’s potential that remains untouched so far.
Rating: 2 out of 5 earbuds
Overcast
My twin brother, out of all people, actually recommended this one to me, and I think I might be in love. The marriage is next summer. Everyone is invited.
The simplicity of this app along with offering two key features is what makes this podcatcher far beyond the competition.
- “Smart Speed” shortens silences in podcasts so that voices aren’t distorted by the “increased speed” tool that comes with most podcatcher apps while still making podcast listening shorter.
- “Voice Boost” increases the voices of podcast hosts so that they’re more clear and crisp to listen to, which can help if a podcast has poorly-mixed sound levels.
While these are pretty much the only two features offered by the app, the two are all that’s really needed. A simple swiping interface makes the experience using the app somewhat refreshing, even.
The banner ads placed at the bottom of the app are somewhat intrusive, which makes me hesitate giving this app a perfect score. Again, sorry Android friends: This app is an iOS exclusive.
Rating: 4 out of 5 earbuds
Liam Niemeyer is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University’s Honors Tutorial College. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Do you use these apps? Let Liam know by tweeting him @liamniemeyer.
