Can be very frustrating to use
I’ve had this app around 2 years now, and on latest version.
PROS:
The content is fantastic but the app itself is extremely frustrating and glitchy.
The frequency of new shows added is brilliant.
The sleep timer button is great.
CONS:
Firstly: when listening to a series EVERY time I open the app the last thing I listened to is never the first presented to me. Meaning I have to search for it as if it never existed, and sometimes I can’t remember the name of the podcast or the artwork so have to search and find as best I can. If the app can’t locate it, I then Google search it. Madness!
Why can’t it simply be listed first in the continue listening section every time??
Secondly: I often get an ‘Offline’ message when I have full wifi. I get past this by repeatedly retrying but this is frustrating.
Thirdly: when I’m listening to a series, it doesn’t go straight to my last episode, I have to read which ones I’ve already played from the list and identify the next one to play.
Fourthly: when I open a series it’ll just start playing an episode which I don’t want. Why can’t it just show me the list of episodes without playing anything. Really annoying.
Lastly: very occasionally it will tell me I’m not on the premium version, when I am. It prompts me about it and encourages payment.
***
Simple changes that will make a huge difference!
PROS:
The content is fantastic but the app itself is extremely frustrating and glitchy.
The frequency of new shows added is brilliant.
The sleep timer button is great.
CONS:
Firstly: when listening to a series EVERY time I open the app the last thing I listened to is never the first presented to me. Meaning I have to search for it as if it never existed, and sometimes I can’t remember the name of the podcast or the artwork so have to search and find as best I can. If the app can’t locate it, I then Google search it. Madness!
Why can’t it simply be listed first in the continue listening section every time??
Secondly: I often get an ‘Offline’ message when I have full wifi. I get past this by repeatedly retrying but this is frustrating.
Thirdly: when I’m listening to a series, it doesn’t go straight to my last episode, I have to read which ones I’ve already played from the list and identify the next one to play.
Fourthly: when I open a series it’ll just start playing an episode which I don’t want. Why can’t it just show me the list of episodes without playing anything. Really annoying.
Lastly: very occasionally it will tell me I’m not on the premium version, when I am. It prompts me about it and encourages payment.
***
Simple changes that will make a huge difference!
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Response from developer
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us! We’re working hard to continually improve our app and provide the best experience possible.
App design
The podcasts are undoubtedly very good, but the app design is excruciatingly frustrating to use. It feels like I’m using a basic app from 2012; it’s overly simplistic and lacks features that all other streaming apps have now well adopted.
Response from developer
Thank you so much for your feedback! We’re continuously working to improve our app and make it better with each update.
Used to be great hopefully could be again.
Great things to listen to but they never load lately weather I’m trying wifi, cellular, downloaded, nothing seems to help. So I just end up too frustrated to keep trying or running out of time since I listen during tasks so I just play something instantly on apple podcast using the same connections that couldn’t play an episode on here. I’m disappointed because I paid for the app and I really enjoyed the shows when it was working.
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First time user -
I am pleasantly surprised. So far … I like it! Thanks.
App Wars: Content vs Functionality
There are two sides to this review; content and functionality.
I believe that subscribing to Wondery is a good way to support the content creators to make great Podcasts. Business Wars is (most of the time) my absolute favourite.
But when it comes to the functionality of the App? It suX big time when compared to similar ones. shows do not load instantly, without internet it sometimes doesn‘t work at all (even with saved content)… just compare it to Spotify (where I found Windery podcasts to begin with) or Apple Products (too pricy).
As long as this is not fixed I cannot give more than two stars - although I continue to subscribe.
I believe that subscribing to Wondery is a good way to support the content creators to make great Podcasts. Business Wars is (most of the time) my absolute favourite.
But when it comes to the functionality of the App? It suX big time when compared to similar ones. shows do not load instantly, without internet it sometimes doesn‘t work at all (even with saved content)… just compare it to Spotify (where I found Windery podcasts to begin with) or Apple Products (too pricy).
As long as this is not fixed I cannot give more than two stars - although I continue to subscribe.
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Great content unfortunately poor App
I paid for this app because podcasts are fab.
Unfortunately from technical point of view many things need improving. For exemple:
Although you can download episodes to listen offline when you try to play from downloads often episodes do not load and app crashes :(
Episodes do not always play one after another within same show they often randomly switch to a different show. Not ideal when driving.
Unable to start episodes in Airplane mode you have to be in normal mode.
On the other hand I like how shows are grouped by seasons and relatable recommendations.
Unfortunately from technical point of view many things need improving. For exemple:
Although you can download episodes to listen offline when you try to play from downloads often episodes do not load and app crashes :(
Episodes do not always play one after another within same show they often randomly switch to a different show. Not ideal when driving.
Unable to start episodes in Airplane mode you have to be in normal mode.
On the other hand I like how shows are grouped by seasons and relatable recommendations.
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Downloading episodes won’t help you while travelling
Trusting Wondery to entertain you while travelling is the biggest mistake you can make and you will spend a plane ride staring into space for hours because their app is not designed to be usable while travelling. If you download episodes so you can listen on a plane or while travelling you WILL NOT be able to use the app without connecting to a data network even if you already downloaded the episodes. Defeats the entire purpose of having downloaded episodes.
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Response from developer
We're aware of the issue affecting some users and are actively working on a fix. Please update to the latest version and let us know if the problem continues. Recent updates include improvements targeting this issue. If you still experience difficulties after updating, reach out to us at support.wondery.com for further assistance.
Perfect for our Big Trip!
In Australia, distances are huge and there is no radio signal or phone signal for hundreds of kilometres and for hours on end.
Wondery solves that for us by downloading dozens of podcasts in advance. So, even when there is no signal, we have the luxury of listening to a range of podcasts.
Our favourites are “Against the Odds” and “Mr. Ballen’s Medical Misteries” but there are many many more to choose from.
Wondery is one of the best value entertainment subscriptions available and adds to our Big Trip pleasure.
Thanks Wondery!
Wondery solves that for us by downloading dozens of podcasts in advance. So, even when there is no signal, we have the luxury of listening to a range of podcasts.
Our favourites are “Against the Odds” and “Mr. Ballen’s Medical Misteries” but there are many many more to choose from.
Wondery is one of the best value entertainment subscriptions available and adds to our Big Trip pleasure.
Thanks Wondery!
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Good content but the app is crappy
Good shows to listen to but the app experience is frustrating.
Constantly says I’m offline when I have good reception or on wifi.
Can’t seem to get things to mark as played.
Some episodes are not in order.
Episodes often don’t auto start.
Just keeps suggesting the same shows even after you’ve listened to them already…
The list goes on.
Overall it’s slow, clunky and kills the experiences
Constantly says I’m offline when I have good reception or on wifi.
Can’t seem to get things to mark as played.
Some episodes are not in order.
Episodes often don’t auto start.
Just keeps suggesting the same shows even after you’ve listened to them already…
The list goes on.
Overall it’s slow, clunky and kills the experiences
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App is junk
This app on iOS really is junk. Episodes wont download - spinning circle. I don't know how many times I have had to delete and redownload. Hit and miss in airplane mode. Have been on flights where the app is unusable even for downloaded content. Other times its fine. Content is great when you can download it. I wish i could get a refund as i have better ways to use my time than be a beta tester for a crappy app.
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