Redesign is difficult
The app seems quite complicated and but intuitive anymore.
Unfortunate newer version
I used to love this app but one of the more recent updates completely changed the interface of the app. The most frustrating for me is swiping left now archives the episode instead of delete, not even sure how to delete episodes anymore. Second most annoying change is instead of the download button being next to the episode title I have to open the show notes, then download from there. There are more issues with the new interface but those are the two big ones for me. It feels like the user experience was not even considered with the new version. Another issue is when I'm using Pocket Casts and Google maps simultaneously the podcast will rewind 10-15 seconds when Google maps pauses the podcast to give directions. I've stopped using Pocket Casts and am currently looking for a new app to use.
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Fantastic
I was looking for a way to cast podcasts from my iPhone or iPad to my Google Home and some online suggestions pointed me toward this app. At first I was wary to pay for the app but I don’t regret it. Others complain about the UI and I find it pretty simple and nice to use. Everything is organized in a way that I can manage the podcasts I’m subscribed to. Another great thing is the cross platform support. While the desktop app costs an additional $10, it isn’t that bad considering it’s a one-off fee. Instead of paying per-month or per-year, I think it’s better to just pay one time and be done. I can easily start a podcast in the car and later in the day continue it in the same spot (give or take a few seconds) on my computer or iPad.
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Bad update, unprofessional response
I was glad to find Pocket Casts at first. It was a decent cross-platform app, with a couple weird quirks, but the best option for me. I opted into the beta and wasn’t as fond of it, but decided to give it some time for me to adjust and explore. Some basic, useful features were lacking or implemented strangely and the UI change was a huge step back, considerably less intuitive.
Unfortunately, they didn’t really improve on any of these problems for the release despite feedback from users. I know it’s impossible to give every user what they want. Plus, so many users are too entitled and demanding. That doesn’t warrant not listening to them at all, or responding flippantly and condescendingly to feedback. Many of the developer responses have been deleted because it “doesn’t represent who they are” (except ... yes it does, because that’s literally how they’re representing themselves). I’m not surprised to see the drop in their ratings, which they reset recently in hopes of erasing the negative ones, I guess?
They already have the money of existing users, so maybe they don’t feel like it’s as important to respect them. But I know I will no longer be recommending Pocket Casts to anyone else. Fortunately, there are cross-platform alternatives I look forward to checking out instead, like Castbox.
Unfortunately, they didn’t really improve on any of these problems for the release despite feedback from users. I know it’s impossible to give every user what they want. Plus, so many users are too entitled and demanding. That doesn’t warrant not listening to them at all, or responding flippantly and condescendingly to feedback. Many of the developer responses have been deleted because it “doesn’t represent who they are” (except ... yes it does, because that’s literally how they’re representing themselves). I’m not surprised to see the drop in their ratings, which they reset recently in hopes of erasing the negative ones, I guess?
They already have the money of existing users, so maybe they don’t feel like it’s as important to respect them. But I know I will no longer be recommending Pocket Casts to anyone else. Fortunately, there are cross-platform alternatives I look forward to checking out instead, like Castbox.
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Excellent Podcast App for the Non-Power User
If you are like me and just want a cross platform podcast application to listen to your five or so podcasts on a weekly basis, then Pocket Casts is a great option. I understand that there are a number of complaints about the most recent update which speak to legitimate regressions in functionality for power users, however, this is a legitimately good podcast application that works for my particular needs which include Google Cast support, and the ability to operate it with my voice without having to unlock my phone (like while I am driving). That being said, I still face one issue where Google Cast support can get a bit wonky requiring me to force quit the app, reopen it and reconnect. If the team can squash that bug then this app is perfect for my needs.
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Usability nightmare... for no good reason
I’ve used pocket casts for years as a paying customer, and loved it — until the redesign. Now the most simple things, like marking an episode as “played”, require confusing gestures and interactions. I’ve counted at least three distinct ways to mark something as “played”, all available in different contexts. Swipe this way, no, that way, oh wait, no, it’s the other way. It’s a complete nightmare. Interacting with this app is now like trying to find your way through a maze in complete darkness. If that wasn’t bad enough it also freezes, crashes, and syncing is often unreliable. The previous version was fantastic — it was my favourite app. Now I despise it. I’m furious at the developers for ruining something that was so great. Such a disappointment.
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What was so good ;-)
This used to be my favourite podcasting app by a mile but since they changed the user UI it's not. I just can’t understand why they had to change this amazing & much loved podcatcher app.
I understand change is good & sometimes it’s needed but just not necessary. Just look at the recent review for pocket cast & you will see that I’m not alone.
Please add a switch for us that don’t want this change to letgo back to use the old interface.
I understand change is good & sometimes it’s needed but just not necessary. Just look at the recent review for pocket cast & you will see that I’m not alone.
Please add a switch for us that don’t want this change to letgo back to use the old interface.
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Seriously.....what has happened to this app?
Prior to the recent update it was brilliant. It was so easy to use. Unfortunately, the latest update has screwed it completely. The new "archiving" feature is a mess and it is difficult to tell what podcasts are downloaded or not. I can't seem to have episodes deleted the way I once could. You now have them delete (or archive??) up to a week after you play them.
Navigating around the app is confusing and no longer intuitive. It's like the podcast version of Windows 8! You seem to be tapping and swiping all over the place in a non-logical order to get it to do what you want.
Syncing is not right either. Often find a podcast has re-synced back to where it was on another device rather than have the other device catch up to the new position where you are up to.
Why couldn't you have left it alone....it was brilliant? Now it's a mess.
Navigating around the app is confusing and no longer intuitive. It's like the podcast version of Windows 8! You seem to be tapping and swiping all over the place in a non-logical order to get it to do what you want.
Syncing is not right either. Often find a podcast has re-synced back to where it was on another device rather than have the other device catch up to the new position where you are up to.
Why couldn't you have left it alone....it was brilliant? Now it's a mess.
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Getting on top of the new version.
When Casts got a total makeover it deleted some of the features that made it so good. At last they have brought back deleting back episodes after a specific number. I listen to a lot of new/current affairs podcasts with daily episodes and if you don’t listen to every one you needed to manually delete outdated episode. God forbid missing a couple of days of listening as you get RSI. . Now Casts can do this for you again after reinstating the episode count feature. I would say 4.5 stars but as I have used this app for so long and it’s getting back to being 100% useful again I will go the extra ½ a star.
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Once great now not so much
This was the best podcast app around. But the v7 update has made so many functions harder to do (more clicks). Also what is archiving. I don't want podcasts I've listened to to disappear from the list because I often go back and check details, just mark them as played and delete the download. I never want to archive them ever. I really just want the old version back. It was so much better and while not perfect its flaws were much more livable.
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