Everything New in the iOS 15 Apple Podcasts App

[MacRumors]

The Podcasts app gets a number of improvements in Apple's recently released iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 updates, including the new, systemwide Shared with You feature, personalized recommendations, new keyboard shortcuts, and more.

This guide walks through all of the main new features and improvements added in the ‌iOS 15‌ and iPadOS 15 Apple Podcasts app, in what makes for a modest update for both casual and avid podcast listeners following a major overhaul with iOS 14.5 and further tweaks in iOS 14.6.

Shared With You

Shared with You is a new feature that is present in many of Apple's apps, including Apple Music, Apple News, and Apple Podcasts. Shared with You highlights content that has been sent to you by friends and family directly in the app it relates to.

In Apple Podcasts, episodes, shows, and channels sent in Messages automatically appear in a new, dedicated Shared with You section in the Listen Now view. When listeners navigate to the shared episode, show, or channel, a new button at the top indicates who shared it with them. They can tap that button from the corresponding page or section in Listen Now to jump back to the moment it was shared in Messages to send a Tapback or reply, or simply see the context of when it was sent.

Personalized Recommendations in Listen Now

Listeners can now discover new podcasts with personalized recommendations. There are new sections in Listen Now titled "You Might Like" and "If you like..." that recommend new shows based on what listeners of shows you already follow are listening to, shows that are in the same category, and shows from the same channel.

There are also new sections with personalized recommendations based on topics users listen to. For example, listeners who enjoy shows of a particular category will see new sections with suggestions for shows in similar categories. These recommendations are based on the more than 100 categories and subcategories that are available to podcast creators in Apple Podcasts Connect or through a third-party hosting provider.

1.25x Playback Speed

The Apple Podcasts app now features an option for 1.25x playback speed. Previously, there was only a 0.5x, 1x, 1.5x, and 2x playback speed. 1.25x is the perfect option for users who want to get through their podcasts more quickly, but find 1.5x too fast.

To use the new 1.25x playback speed, simply tap on the purple 1x speed button to the left of the AirPlay icon to cycle through the playback speed options.

iPadOS 15 Keyboard Shortcuts

The Apple Podcasts app for iPad features a host of new keyboard shortcuts. Previously, the only keyboard shortcut in the app was Command + R to refresh feeds, but there are now a total of 17 keyboard shortcuts.

Some of the new shortcuts include Space bar to pause, Command + Right Arrow to skip to the next episode, Shift + Command + Right Arrow to skip 30 seconds forward, and Option + 4 to set double-speed playback. To see all of the available keyboard shortcuts, like in any iPad app, simply hold down the Command key.

The keyboard shortcuts were working throughout the beta testing period, but some users have reported that they are not showing up in the release version of iPadOS 15. They are, however, working in the initial beta version of iPadOS 15.1, so it appears there may currently be a bug affecting their availability.

Guide Feedback

Have questions about the new Podcasts app features in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, know of a feature we left out, or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.

Article Link: Everything New in the iOS 15 Apple Podcasts App

 

[mnsportsgeek]

They need to blow the whole thing up again. Worst app apple makes.

 

[al256]

I'm not on iOS 15 but I wish the Podcast app was less buggy and could also show me the podcasts I've downloaded. I dislike having to go to a Podcast then scroll down to a saved episode while in Carplay.

 

[nvmls]

They need to blow the whole thing up again. Worst app apple makes.

For a company like Apple it's unbelievable the level of software they've been putting out lately.

 

[Uln4321]

Still can’t sync listen history between my devices. And when fast forwarding sometimes audio doesn’t play again despite the counter going…

 

[rlewisphilly]

The Podcasts app gets a number of improvements in Apple's recently released iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 updates, including the new, systemwide Shared with You feature, personalized recommendations, new keyboard shortcuts, and more.

This guide walks through all of the main new features and improvements added in the ‌iOS 15‌ and iPadOS 15 Apple Podcasts app, in what makes for a modest update for both casual and avid podcast listeners following a major overhaul with iOS 14.5 and further tweaks in iOS 14.6.

Shared With You

Shared with You is a new feature that is present in many of Apple's apps, including Apple Music, Apple News, and Apple Podcasts. Shared with You highlights content that has been sent to you by friends and family directly in the app it relates to.

In Apple Podcasts, episodes, shows, and channels sent in Messages automatically appear in a new, dedicated Shared with You section in the Listen Now view. When listeners navigate to the shared episode, show, or channel, a new button at the top indicates who shared it with them. They can tap that button from the corresponding page or section in Listen Now to jump back to the moment it was shared in Messages to send a Tapback or reply, or simply see the context of when it was sent.

Personalized Recommendations in Listen Now

Listeners can now discover new podcasts with personalized recommendations. There are new sections in Listen Now titled "You Might Like" and "If you like..." that recommend new shows based on what listeners of shows you already follow are listening to, shows that are in the same category, and shows from the same channel.

There are also new sections with personalized recommendations based on topics users listen to. For example, listeners who enjoy shows of a particular category will see new sections with suggestions for shows in similar categories. These recommendations are based on the more than 100 categories and subcategories that are available to podcast creators in Apple Podcasts Connect or through a third-party hosting provider.

1.25x Playback Speed

The Apple Podcasts app now features an option for 1.25x playback speed. Previously, there was only a 0.5x, 1x, 1.5x, and 2x playback speed. 1.25x is the perfect option for users who want to get through their podcasts more quickly, but find 1.5x too fast.

To use the new 1.25x playback speed, simply tap on the purple 1x speed button to the left of the AirPlay icon to cycle through the playback speed options.

iPadOS 15 Keyboard Shortcuts

The Apple Podcasts app for iPad features a host of new keyboard shortcuts. Previously, the only keyboard shortcut in the app was Command + R to refresh feeds, but there are now a total of 17 keyboard shortcuts.

Some of the new shortcuts include Space bar to pause, Command + Right Arrow to skip to the next episode, Shift + Command + Right Arrow to skip 30 seconds forward, and Option + 4 to set double-speed playback. To see all of the available keyboard shortcuts, like in any iPad app, simply hold down the Command key.

The keyboard shortcuts were working throughout the beta testing period, but some users have reported that they are not showing up in the release version of iPadOS 15. They are, however, working in the initial beta version of iPadOS 15.1, so it appears there may currently be a bug affecting their availability.

Guide Feedback

Have questions about the new Podcasts app features in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, know of a feature we left out, or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.

Article Link: Everything New in the iOS 15 Apple Podcasts App

The Podcasts app gets a number of improvements in Apple's recently released iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 updates, including the new, systemwide Shared with You feature, personalized recommendations, new keyboard shortcuts, and more.

This guide walks through all of the main new features and improvements added in the ‌iOS 15‌ and iPadOS 15 Apple Podcasts app, in what makes for a modest update for both casual and avid podcast listeners following a major overhaul with iOS 14.5 and further tweaks in iOS 14.6.

Shared With You

Shared with You is a new feature that is present in many of Apple's apps, including Apple Music, Apple News, and Apple Podcasts. Shared with You highlights content that has been sent to you by friends and family directly in the app it relates to.

In Apple Podcasts, episodes, shows, and channels sent in Messages automatically appear in a new, dedicated Shared with You section in the Listen Now view. When listeners navigate to the shared episode, show, or channel, a new button at the top indicates who shared it with them. They can tap that button from the corresponding page or section in Listen Now to jump back to the moment it was shared in Messages to send a Tapback or reply, or simply see the context of when it was sent.

Personalized Recommendations in Listen Now

Listeners can now discover new podcasts with personalized recommendations. There are new sections in Listen Now titled "You Might Like" and "If you like..." that recommend new shows based on what listeners of shows you already follow are listening to, shows that are in the same category, and shows from the same channel.

There are also new sections with personalized recommendations based on topics users listen to. For example, listeners who enjoy shows of a particular category will see new sections with suggestions for shows in similar categories. These recommendations are based on the more than 100 categories and subcategories that are available to podcast creators in Apple Podcasts Connect or through a third-party hosting provider.

1.25x Playback Speed

The Apple Podcasts app now features an option for 1.25x playback speed. Previously, there was only a 0.5x, 1x, 1.5x, and 2x playback speed. 1.25x is the perfect option for users who want to get through their podcasts more quickly, but find 1.5x too fast.

To use the new 1.25x playback speed, simply tap on the purple 1x speed button to the left of the AirPlay icon to cycle through the playback speed options.

iPadOS 15 Keyboard Shortcuts

The Apple Podcasts app for iPad features a host of new keyboard shortcuts. Previously, the only keyboard shortcut in the app was Command + R to refresh feeds, but there are now a total of 17 keyboard shortcuts.

Some of the new shortcuts include Space bar to pause, Command + Right Arrow to skip to the next episode, Shift + Command + Right Arrow to skip 30 seconds forward, and Option + 4 to set double-speed playback. To see all of the available keyboard shortcuts, like in any iPad app, simply hold down the Command key.

The keyboard shortcuts were working throughout the beta testing period, but some users have reported that they are not showing up in the release version of iPadOS 15. They are, however, working in the initial beta version of iPadOS 15.1, so it appears there may currently be a bug affecting their availability.

Guide Feedback

Have questions about the new Podcasts app features in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, know of a feature we left out, or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.

Article Link: Everything New in the iOS 15 Apple Podcasts App

I am happy that the software now (finally?) has an icon to show a podcast has been downloaded.

 

[80s Fan]

All I want at this point is for the podcast app to remember where I was in a podcast. This has been happening for months. Are others experiencing this? If I leave the app for 20 minutes and comes back, it often forgets I've started a podcast.

 

[saki1338]

Came here to see if the updates were worth me returning after switch years ago. Still don't think it worth it. Overcast, which has been my replacement, recently made some changes to the Carplay interface.

 

[Rychiar]

Do people really listen to this many podcasts? I have one that I check out a few times a year

 

[Pocket Computer]

All I want at this point is for the podcast app to remember where I was in a podcast. This has been happening for months. Are others experiencing this? If I leave the app for 20 minutes and comes back, it often forgets I've started a podcast.

This right here. I've talked to apple support about it, reloaded my phone from scratch (not using a backup, etc.) and it still happens.

Here's how I'm able to duplicate this, and I'm wondering if you run into the same problem:

• Go to a podcast that you're not subscribed to.
• Start playing it for a bit
• Pause it
• Come back in about an hour (usually less) and it will not remember that you were playing it.

Is this what you're experiencing?

 

[DrewDaHilp1]

At this point they should just pull a Disney and buy someone else’s app and label it as their own. Pocketcasts would be a good option.

 

[Marbles1]

All these updates and it's still trash. Mad to think the resources at Apple's disposal and they can't make an 'apple-like' podcasts app..

 

[80s Fan]

This right here. I've talked to apple support about it, reloaded my phone from scratch (not using a backup, etc.) and it still happens.

Here's how I'm able to duplicate this, and I'm wondering if you run into the same problem:

• Go to a podcast that you're not subscribed to.
• Start playing it for a bit
• Pause it
• Come back in about an hour (usually less) and it will not remember that you were playing it.

Is this what you're experiencing?

Yes, exactly. I have not really thought about this happening with podcasts I subscribe to vs. those I don't. But I only subscribe to one or two and most of the ones I listen to are not ones I've subscribed to. And it happens with those.

It's hit or miss how long the app will remember I'm in the middle of it. Seems like sometimes it might remember for an hour and sometimes, it's re-load it after 15 minutes. I've often wondered if it's like how Safari would reload webpages when it ran into it's memory limits. But I really don't know. All I know is this didn't used to happen.

 

[nickhutson]

Remember the days of just having a list of your podcast episodes in a nice order? None of this Shows vs Episode, See All vs Saved, Library Vs Browse etc etc. It really is a bloated piece of software!

 

[adammusic]

Just fix new episode notifications already. Its been like 10 years now. How is this possible.

 

[stephenschimpf]

Do people really listen to this many podcasts? I have one that I check out a few times a year

I do. I listen to several podcasts a day, anytime I'm in my car. I used to have Sirius XM some years ago and when I got a new car they screwed up my subscription and when I couldn't get them to fix it I quit and decided to check out podcasts. Best decision ever. I've learned so much since then.

 

[BMox81]

Just fix new episode notifications already. Its been like 10 years now. How is this possible.

I literally get no notifications from Apple Podcasts yet Pocket Casts with the same podcasts send them immediately.

Just insane how bad it is at present.

 

[neliason]

I use the Podcast app every day. It doesn’t sync well between devices. It doesn’t even try to sync to or from our HomePods. I’ve gotten used to the new way the app organizes podcast and flows. But it is just not a good app. It is hard to imagine the company who invented Podcasts can have such a terrible app.

 

[_Spinn_]

I just use iCatcher instead. I love how configurable it - once you have everything set the way you want it just works and you can forget about manually managing your podcasts.

 

[T Coma]

Apple unintentionally (and some folks at MR intentionally) steered me towards Overcast quite a while ago and I can’t think of a reason to change back. It does everything I want it to, simply, intuitively, and without fail. These added ”features” are either long overdue or tits on a bull. No thanks.

 

[visualseed]

I tried so hard to give this a chance again over the last several months. Yesterday, I finally deleted it from all my devices and went back to overcast. I had no idea if and when it was ever going to work. Pausing and resuming shows would take minutes. Sometimes I would get the dreaded ‘episode not found error’ for a show I was listening to and just paused moments before. Downloaded shows that should not require any network connectivity to play would refuse to play if I had a bad network connection. Show management and subscriptions are painfully confusing. Huge Apple fan, usually a little forgiving for apps that I know are geared to much wider audiences, but this app was total garbage.

 

[Pocket Computer]

Yes, exactly. I have not really thought about this happening with podcasts I subscribe to vs. those I don't. But I only subscribe to one or two and most of the ones I listen to are not ones I've subscribed to. And it happens with those.

This drives me crazy, since I sometimes hear about a podcast I want to listen to but don't want the rest of them. Just that one. Maybe I'll subscribe later. Out of all of the podcast users, even at Apple, no one found this to be a problem?

Overcasts is great and I've had to move to it just to keep my sanity. It takes a few minutes to figure out, but I know I can walk away from a podcast for a week, come back, and it's there.

 

[inthemorning23]

This drives me crazy, since I sometimes hear about a podcast I want to listen to but don't want the rest of them. Just that one. Maybe I'll subscribe later. Out of all of the podcast users, even at Apple, no one found this to be a problem?

Overcasts is great and I've had to move to it just to keep my sanity. It takes a few minutes to figure out, but I know I can walk away from a podcast for a week, come back, and it's there.

I switched to Overcast a few years back. I tried Apple Podcasts after the last big refresh of the app, and it simply didn't provide any compelling reason to change--let alone introducing a few negatives with inconsistent behavior. Overcast is not necessarily flashy, but it is thoughtfully designed. It's stable, performs well. Once you're accustomed to the interface I think it's quicker and easier to navigate, manage, and listen to your subscribed content than the Apple app.

 

[femike]

Podcasts needs re-doing. What the young designers have done is to make it a mess.
In addition, scrubbing bar, the scrubbing is so thin and not easy to get your finger on it, and the font of the times are light grey on a white background and very small which makes it hard see.
I'm sure the designers don't even use the app.

 

[KrispE00]

Every time I add an episode to up next. It stays there for a few minutes, but if I exit podcasts the episode disappears from the list. Reported this months ago, but still no fix. Also, podcasts crashes all the time - multiple times a day.