Pocket Casts, for example, offers tabs for finding trending podcasts, featured podcasts, and the most popular podcasts, as well as a search bar so users can look for specific programs. Such apps will typically have a clean, easy-to-navigate layout.
How to use podcast appsĪ good podcasting app (we’ll call it a podcatcher from now on) ought to do at least two things: It should provide access to a comprehensive library of podcasts, and it should make it easy to listen to.
Read on to learn how to download podcasts and listen to them on your device. Sometimes dubbed “ podcatchers,” these apps are available on various systems and are generally cheap (or even free).
While you can download a podcast from its website, several iOS and Android apps allow you to download episodes and sort them with ease automatically. Today, hundreds of thousands of options are flitting about on the web, covering every topic imaginable, including sports podcasts, history podcasts, space podcasts, and even gastronomy.įor those new to podcasts, getting started may seem daunting. Unlike traditional radio, podcast hosts can produce shows in their living room on any topic they choose without being shackled by Federal Communications Commission regulations. Plus, you can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get updates on our latest releases and see amazing digital extras that bring you deeper into the world of each podcast. You can also listen to all CBC podcasts on the CBC Listen portal on desktop or the mobile apps for iOS and Android. Subscribing ensures you get notifications when new episodes come out, and if you want you can set it so that new episodes download automatically when you're connected to wifi. Most apps, including Apple Podcasts, will also allow you to subscribe for updates on the shows you love most. Subscribe to or follow your favourite podcasts
Each app should offer specific instructions about navigating their design.
If you want to download to listen later offline - a pro move for subway commuters - you'll want to do that while you're connected to Wi-Fi.Įvery app works slightly differently, but if you want to download a podcast, you'll generally be looking for an icon in the shape of an arrow pointing downwards. If you're connected to the internet, you should be able to click on a podcast, select an episode and hit the play button to stream your show of choice. You can browse the latest offerings from CBC Podcasts here. If you don't know what to search for, Podcast Playlist offers a Find Your Next Podcast interactive where you can search by genre or even make a random pick using the "Surprise Me!" button. You can start there or you can search for a specific show. Most podcast apps have a section filled with recommended shows you can browse. Some other popular options are Castbox, Pocket Casts, Podbean, Radio Public and Stitcher. Every app offers a different user experience, and you're sure to find one suited to your needs. 0:48 If you want to look beyond the biggest players and check out the wider universe of apps, search "podcast app" in your app store and read the descriptions. You can listen to your favourite shows right there.ĭuration 0:48 Our step-by-step video will show you how to download and listen to podcasts using the Spotify app. If you have an iPhone you've probably seen the purple icon labelled "Podcasts" on your phone already. There are lots out there and many of them are free. If you want to explore audio productions from within and outside of the CBC, you'll need a podcast app (or "podcatcher") that brings together the work of many different creators. That said, most people listen to podcasts on their smartphones and tablets, so let's start there. We've got special instructions for you at the bottom of this page. If you only have access to a desktop or laptop computer, fear not. Pick a podcast player that works on your device Still, it can be pretty daunting to enter the wide world of internet audio for the first time, so we're here to walk you through it in a few simple steps. Even traditional broadcasters like the CBC produce dozens of original series, for free, that you can only access online. There really is something for everyone in the growing universe of on-demand digital audio, most of which will never hit the airwaves. If you love switching on your radio but you've never so much as browsed the massive digital library of podcasts, your ears are in for a treat.