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Apple Watch S3 - Podcasts...
- Thread starter Mic2904
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The lack of a native podcast app on the Apple Watch has always been odd. My AW2 is on WatchOS 4 GM and it's still not there so not likely that anything will change with the final release.
I just downloaded Overcast, which seems to be a popular app but it's not loading on my Apple Watch so they may not have updated the software to work with version 4 yet.
(Never mind, I just need to figure out how Overcast functions on the AW)
I'm planning to pick up a cellular AW3 for the sake of not having to take my phone, but being connected, on runs and I mainly listen to podcasts when I'm out so I'll need to find some solution to play them on the AW.
I just downloaded Overcast, which seems to be a popular app but it's not loading on my Apple Watch so they may not have updated the software to work with version 4 yet.
(Never mind, I just need to figure out how Overcast functions on the AW)
I'm planning to pick up a cellular AW3 for the sake of not having to take my phone, but being connected, on runs and I mainly listen to podcasts when I'm out so I'll need to find some solution to play them on the AW.
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Sorry to be the bearer of bad news: The functionality to listen to podcasts on the Watch has been removed from Overcast due to changes in watchOS 4.
I can't believe Apple, after all this time, continues to offer no solution for podcasts on the Watch. Makes the Watch almost useless to me to use for running etc. because I'm unable to leave the phone behind.
Yeah, I was made aware of the change to Overcast needing to remove the Watch functionality, for whatever reason. Overcast needing to remove the feature due to something in WatchOS 4 makes it sound like Apple was going to build in the functionality, but it's definitely not the case, as far as the GM.
It is baffling that it's not there. I mean Apple has been at the forefront of podcasting in general and there has to be some reason they don't want us to be able to listen to them from the watch. Missing it on WatchOS 1 was excusable, but by version 4???
There has to be some logical reason it's omitted. Just doesn't make any sense...
I just realized something. The now playing complication shows the current playing podcast. When selected instead of opening the podcast app (I assumed it would open Downcast for me), it opens the same interface as music. This has 4 controls; play/pause, rwd, fwd, volume. The volume is controlled by the crown.
Although not specifically stated, I think the intent of this thread was to share ways to listen to podcasts on the AW without the phone, in anticipation of the AW3's cellular connection such as when out on a run. So it's a bummer that your suggestion doesn't have a native app.
As stated several times, I really wish Apple just had their own podcast app on the AW.
Still no audible companion. I imagine they will lag with that as it is an Amazon product and they're a direct competitor.
If this doesn't get addressed, it might be a deal breaker for many (myself included). Podcasts are a huge part of my listening pleasure.
I'd expect a Watch OS update to activate this. Remember Apple Music isn't activated until next month either.
I'd be shocked if they didn't add a Podcast app for the Watch and enable splitting of on watch storage for Podcasts to be stored vs streaming with cellular. I agree, if not addressed what's the point of this update as you leave up millions of people as podcast and books on tape (Audible) become ever more popular.