Apple's Podcasts App Features Coronavirus and Stay-at-Home Content

[MacRumors]

The coronavirus outbreak in the United States and many other countries around the world has left people in affected areas stuck inside their homes. With that in mind, Apple's Podcasts team has put together some useful content lists for those who want to stay informed about COVID-19, soothe themselves with meditation, or stay entertained.

The "Coronavirus: Stay Informed" section of the Podcasts app on Mac and iOS features informative updates from reputable news providers that include NPR, CNN, BBC, and ABC News.

A "Cultivating Calm" section provides shows designed to help listeners relax, featuring The Happiness Lab with Dr. Lauren Santos, Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations, The Daily Stoic, and other similar calming options.

For those who are looking for entertainment, the "Boredom Busters" section includes interesting and intriguing podcasts like Finding Fred, Gaslight with Chloe Grace Moretz, This American Life, Serial, Homecoming, and more.

There's also a Shows for Kids section highlighting content aimed at children, with a range of educational and fun titles for kids to listen to during their downtime.

All of these podcast collections can be found in the "Browse" section of the Podcasts app on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac.

Apple has also launched an informative special coverage section in Apple News, which is aimed at providing updates on the coronavirus from reliable sources.

Article Link: Apple's Podcasts App Features Coronavirus and Stay-at-Home Content

 

[motm95]

This is nice - I wonder if Apple will also consider making AppleTV+ free for everybody for a period of time. Might be a way to keep people entertained at home during this crisis and maybe some of those will convert to paid users in the future.

 

[JGIGS]

This is nice - I wonder if Apple will also consider making AppleTV+ free for everybody for a period of time. Might be a way to keep people entertained at home during this crisis and maybe some of those will convert to paid users in the future.

Would also be a good way to promote it as well. As long as you don't have to sign up with a credit card I'd check it out.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

This is nice - I wonder if Apple will also consider making AppleTV+ free for everybody for a period of time. Might be a way to keep people entertained at home during this crisis and maybe some of those will convert to paid users in the future.

There clearly isn't enough product on ATV+ to get through the crisis, especially if "those in charge" keep extending when they think things will get back to normal.

 

[Rocko99991]

One thing to be informed, another to be brought into a frenzied lather by having the news on 24/7.

 

[macduke]

I've spent my time generally freaking out during the day at all the crazy news stories, growing more and more anxious while working some at night when things are a bit more chill. Glad I got a job working from home in late January and got two months worth of non-perishables two weeks ago.

Also, I've learned A LOT about guns.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

One thing to be informed, another to be brought into a frenzied lather by having the news on 24/7.

Which is why these podcast episodes are perfect. A short episode each day with useful information.

 

[Cosmosent]

Anybody know if any of it discusses the "upcoming" Coronavirus Antibody Blood Test options ???

 

[Rojaaemon]

Great! More things to do on the Podcast app. Although it keeps me busy enough already just resetting the thing every time it crashes.

 

[Glavin]

Upon misreading the title, I shamefully felt a twinge of schadenfreude that this horrid app might be tilting grave-ward after contracting the dreaded virus.

 

[chickenninja]

That’s cool! I listen to allot of podcasts. I wish the sorting options were more customizable.

 

[BGPL]

Great, I've been wondering what has been going on with COVID-19... </s>

Sirius XM emailed today with their COVID-19 policy. Good grief.

 

[Sodium Chloride]

A good way to entertain yourself is to rent the movie Contagion https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/contagion/id479822231

 

[dontwalkhand]

A good way to entertain yourself is to rent the movie Contagion https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/contagion/id479822231

I literally laughed when I saw this was one of the top movies on iTunes rentals. Like an "OFFF COURRRSEEE moment"

 

[haruhiko]

Apple's Podcasts App Features Coronavirus.....
NO thanks

 

[TVreporter]

I literally laughed when I saw this was one of the top movies on iTunes rentals. Like an "OFFF COURRRSEEE moment"

On Netflix Canada it’s currently trending in the top 10.
I rewatched it - eerily similair to much of what has unfolded over the past three months.

 

[Deliro]

So having people listen to doom and gloom the media is selling to make people feel they’re doing the right thing by sitting at home? I’ll pass.

 

[CarlJ]

So having people listen to doom and gloom the media is selling to make people feel they’re doing the right thing by sitting at home? I’ll pass.

If it keeps them sitting at home, that's a good thing. Staying at home is the way we're going to survive this thing - people who try to carry on as normal are going to, literally, get a lot of people killed. But I'm not gonna watch Contagion again.

 

[russell_314]

This is nice - I wonder if Apple will also consider making AppleTV+ free for everybody for a period of time. Might be a way to keep people entertained at home during this crisis and maybe some of those will convert to paid users in the future.

It already is free if you buy an iDevice.
[automerge]1584716644[/automerge]

So having people listen to doom and gloom the media is selling to make people feel they’re doing the right thing by sitting at home? I’ll pass.

You don't want to be properly indoctrinated? LOL

 

[Tech198]

I bet all the streaming companies are having a field day over this..... It's a good reason to get out a new brand of apps, as more isolated people will have nothing else to keep them occupied.

 

[honDA9xsi]

Bannon's WarRoom Podcast (WarRoomPandemic.org) #WarRoomPandemic has been a great source for helping separate the signal from all the noise out there regarding this virus. Whether we like it or not, we're all in this together and need to work together to get through it... people may not have an interest in this virus, but this virus has an interest in them. Be informed and stay safe!

 

[Deliro]

It’s not political to point out that the coronavirus coverage on Fox News has whiplashed from denial/jokes about it as little as 10 days ago, to now taking it seriously. I wouldn’t say they’ve shown themselves to be a reliable source on this topic, no.

If it keeps them sitting at home, that's a good thing. Staying at home is the way we're going to survive this thing - people who try to carry on as normal are going to, literally, get a lot of people killed. But I'm not gonna watch Contagion again.

Edit- pointless to discuss this. Enjoy being at home. I’ll go for a hike. Lots of social distancing in the wild. 🙄

 

[chiefbozz]

One thing to be informed, another to be brought into a frenzied lather by having the news on 24/7.

I agree. It's nice to have this medium for information but I would much rather listen to a podcast from the scientific/medical community on this subject than something else from the mass media.