Apple has previewed a range of new features and enhancements which will be coming to the Apple Podcasts application as part of the forthcoming iOS 16.4, iPadOS 16.4, and macOS 13.3 updates.
Announced on 16 February, the new features include the addition of a ‘Channels’ page within the Library section of the application, in which users can view all shows available under a certain channel that they’re either subscribed to or following for free. It will also make it easier for subscribers to view premium content for the shows that they follow.
Creators will also now benefit from both hosting platforms and third-party services having access to more precise listening analytics and insights from Apple Podcasts, including what kind of Apple device listeners are using. Third-party podcast platforms are also encouraged to start supporting identifiable user agents in order to share reliable podcast download insights.
In terms of user experience, the application’s ‘Up Next’ queue will include episodes that users have saved in their library, as well as unfinished episodes from shows that they aren’t currently following, as well as episodes listed as bonus content. Recently-saved episodes and new episodes from followed shows will appear at the start of the queue, with older episodes further down.. Apple also said that users will also soon have the option to remove certain episodes from Up Next that they aren’t interested in.
Additionally, enhancements to the episode presentation include being able to see how many episodes from a certain show are unplayed and identifying newly released episodes, as well as early-access ones for subscribers only. Both Up Next and Recently Played queues will also be available to stream via Apple CarPlay.
Apple has been making progressive enhancements to its podcast application in order to expand its portfolio of podcasting tools and technologies for creators. This includes its launch of a Delegated Delivery service earlier in January which allows for creators to publish content on Apple Podcast Subscriptions via third-party platforms including users of Blubrry, Libsyn, Omny Studio, and RSS.com.
In May 2022, Apple also announced new additions to its podcasts application following the iOS 15.5 update which included annual subscription plans instead of just monthly and better storage solutions for podcast episodes that limit automatic downloads according to the preference of the user.
