Apple Launched Podcasts App
Previously rumored for iOS 6, iTunes Podcasts now get its own iOS app. Free download for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
You can now download and play audio and video podcasts with the new Apple Podcasts universal app for iOS 5.1 or later. Features include:
- Change playback speed to faster or slower
- Airplay
- Bookmark
- Sync podcasts with iTunes 10.6.3 or later
- Explore hundreds of thousands of podcasts including shows in over 40 languages
- Try the innovative new Top Stations feature to find new podcast series in a variety of topics, including arts, business, comedy, music, news, sports, and more.
- Browse by Audio or Video podcasts, or see what’s most popular in Top Charts
- Tap subscribe for your favorites and automatically receive new episodes for free as they become available
- Stream episodes or download to listen while offline
- Skip forward and back using simple playback controls
- Turn on Sleep Timer to automatically stop playing a podcast while listening in bed
- Share your favorite episodes with friends using Twitter, Messages and Mail
- Optionally sync your favorite episodes from iTunes on your Mac or PC
- Sync your episode playback for seamless transition between devices
Overall a great app.
Some people are curious about why there would be redemption code for free podcasts. The answer is that for years, many companies such as teamtreehouse have paid podcast training videos available on iTunes (access code typically purchased through creator website).
Needs improvement: there are some reports that closed caption isn’t supported.