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evoga

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 9, 2014
114
50
Can the podcasts be downloaded directly to the watch? I have the little cloud in the bottom right corner but I just can’t seem to download them onto the watch even with the iPhone watch app selected to download them.
 
Thanks for letting me know they can be.

I have them ticked and tried unticking and reselecting but still no joy. Will try deleting the app and podcasts and starting from scratch as that should fix it.
 
My favorite app for the watch so far to do this is Outcast - it has by far the most useful and well designed complications with live updating of current playhead status regardless of how you pause/play the show (now playing widget, headphones, or the app itself) - it’ll display the album artwork for the show you are playing too.

Most importantly this is a standalone app that handles all of the downloads of episodes directly on the watch itself, no slow transferring from your phone. All direct on the watch. It is fully updated for os5 including supporting the new watch faces for Series 4.

You can subscribe to new shows on the go or send them all over from the iPhone.

It’s a must have app - Outcast for Watch by Crunchy Bagel
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/outcast-for-watch/id1326693810?mt=8
 
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My favorite app for the watch so far to do this is Outcast - it has by far the most useful and well designed complications with live updating of current playhead status regardless of how you pause/play the show (now playing widget, headphones, or the app itself) - it’ll display the album artwork for the show you are playing too.

Most importantly this is a standalone app that handles all of the downloads of episodes directly on the watch itself, no slow transferring from your phone. All direct on the watch. It is fully updated for os5 including supporting the new watch faces for Series 4.

You can subscribe to new shows on the go or send them all over from the iPhone.

It’s a must have app - Outcast for Watch by Crunchy Bagel
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/outcast-for-watch/id1326693810?mt=8


Can you skip a track within the podcast. This seems to be a drawback using the podcast app. I can only fast forward. I like being able to skip to the next track
 
Can you skip a track within the podcast. This seems to be a drawback using the podcast app. I can only fast forward. I like being able to skip to the next track
There currently are no podcast clients on the watch that support chapter markers sadly. I’ve sent that feedback in to the dev to see if it is possible yet on os5.

The only audio app that has chapter support so far is Audible. Not sure if Audible uses straight MP3 chapters or something custom to allow for this.
 
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There currently are no podcast clients on the watch that support chapter markers sadly. I’ve sent that feedback in to the dev to see if it is possible yet on os5.

The only audio app that has chapter support so far is Audible. Not sure if Audible uses straight MP3 chapters or something custom to allow for this.

Downcast supports chapter markers. You simply force touch the screen and if the podcast you are listening to has chapters it will allow you to jump to whichever chapter you want.

I find Downcast to be the best podcast app for the Apple Watch.
 
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Downcast supports chapter markers. You simply force touch the screen and if the podcast you are listening to has chapters it will allow you to jump to whichever chapter you want.

I find Downcast to be the best podcast app for the Apple Watch.
Is that app doing local playback or just acting as a remote for the iPhone nearby?
 
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Is that app doing local playback or just acting as a remote for the iPhone nearby?

Not exactly sure what that question means but I know it has playback control from external devices such as Bluetooth devices, headphone remote controls and devices connected via Lightning.
 
Not exactly sure what that question means but I know it has playback control from external devices such as Bluetooth devices, headphone remote controls and devices connected via Lightning.
I mean can I go for a walk and leave my iPhone behind and have the podcast stored locally on the watch and have that chapter support? Or is it acting as a remote for a nearby iPhone?
 
I mean can I go for a walk and leave my iPhone behind and have the podcast stored locally on the watch and have that chapter support? Or is it acting as a remote for a nearby iPhone?

Ahhh that’s a good question. Not sure..when I get a chance I’ll check and see.
 
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Dont forget the watch needs to be on the charger for it to start sycing (if youhavent tried this yet)
On putting watch on charger. I have a S4 but I use my S0 watch for sleep tracking. I'm guessing that my podcasts then won't sync to my S4 when on the charger if I'm wearing the sleep watch?
 
So I’ve noticed when I select podcast in my Apple watch’s library rather than on “iPhone” that I can listen them and not be near my phone ... but I need to be in range when I start a new one or else I get an error saying the episode is unavailable or something.

Is this because my watch isn’t a cellular one?
 
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Using the Apple podcast app on os6 has been horrible. On charger or not, it stalls downloading episodes. Gone back to Overcast and it works much better, although Auto Sync to Watch sometimes does not work.

But the absolutely best part of Overcast is the episode sync.... so I listen to some of a podcast on my watch (downloaded) and then switch to my iPhone when I get home to AirPlay to Sonos. AND it picks up right where I left off. SWEET!!!
 
Using the Apple podcast app on os6 has been horrible. On charger or not, it stalls downloading episodes. Gone back to Overcast and it works much better, although Auto Sync to Watch sometimes does not work.

But the absolutely best part of Overcast is the episode sync.... so I listen to some of a podcast on my watch (downloaded) and then switch to my iPhone when I get home to AirPlay to Sonos. AND it picks up right where I left off. SWEET!!!


Glad you found a solution that works for you.

I have not had the issue you speak of. I subscribed to soe new ones, they downloaded, synced to my watch and I went for a run playing the podcasts. I thought I read there was supposed to be a Podcast app overhaul, but I do not see any changes.
 
Glad you found a solution that works for you.

I have not had the issue you speak of. I subscribed to soe new ones, they downloaded, synced to my watch and I went for a run playing the podcasts. I thought I read there was supposed to be a Podcast app overhaul, but I do not see any changes.
They downloaded when on charger, right? I hope Apple updates their app with the ability to sync to watch, sync timeline on phone or watch, and provide a episode timeline so you know who much is left (on the watch app)
 
They downloaded when on charger, right? I hope Apple updates their app with the ability to sync to watch, sync timeline on phone or watch, and provide a episode timeline so you know who much is left (on the watch app)

I'm pretty sure it just played for me but will try it again. I did not place on the charger at all.

I would love to have advance chapters markers on the watch. Som of the DJ ones play the same songs
 
I'm pretty sure it just played for me but will try it again. I did not place on the charger at all.

I would love to have advance chapters markers on the watch. Som of the DJ ones play the same songs
When you open the Podcast app on the watch, any show episode that have a "cloud" means its NOT downloaded to your watch.
 
When you open the Podcast app on the watch, any show episode that have a "cloud" means its NOT downloaded to your watch.

Correct. But it starts to play for me. So that's what happened to me because I did not sit wtach on charger. Oh well, you have something that works for ya.
 
They downloaded when on charger, right? I hope Apple updates their app with the ability to sync to watch, sync timeline on phone or watch, and provide a episode timeline so you know who much is left (on the watch app)

I’ve actually noticed that on OS6 that the around the play/pause button instead of volume like it used to be, there’s a bar that indicates how much of an episode has been played ...

908227a9429aa0a97f8a51ec8012f87b.jpg
 
I’ve actually noticed that on OS6 that the around the play/pause button instead of volume like it used to be, there’s a bar that indicates how much of an episode has been played ...

908227a9429aa0a97f8a51ec8012f87b.jpg

Yes its better. However Overcast using a line at the top of the display with minutes remaining.
 
I’ve just bought Outcast for 99p. I’m getting used to it as I’ve been an overcast used. But I like the fact I can stream podcasts over cellular without transferring them
 
Im having problems with the stock podcast app not syncing very good on OS6 :(

Need to try out the other ones out there
 
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