What is the crowd's opinion of
Downcast?
From 3.5 billion comments
11 reviews of this app found across the web:
Downcast is available for Mac and iOS. It's pretty good too!
I used to be an iOS user, but now use Pocket Casts on my Nexus which is available across Android and iOS, but there's no desktop version.
Not sure about a Windows app. Good luck finding one that will sync with an iPhone! But Downcast will do the job for Mac and iOS. http://www.downcastapp.com. That's all I've got, sorry.
Is there any particular reason why you can't just listen via your phone at work? Using the one device will make your life much easier.
Also, Pocket Casts is the BEST podcatcher for iOS and Android. http://www.shiftyjelly.com/pocketcasts
I have always downloaded because I spend a good time outside of wi-fi range. I always used the standard iOS app up until the latest iteration. I never liked it but made due. I decided to change with the latest update to the app as I started having issues with it sucking data.
Downcast is a better interface than the iOS app and easier to use in my opinion, with a deep menu to allow for customization of settings.
Nice job. Any reasoning to the ordering? Perhaps alphabetical would make it easier for people to find shows.
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App suggestions (from someone who subscribes to 15+ podcasts):
Android/Kindle Fire: BeyondPod - Great app, can schedule auto-refresh at specific times, organize in folders, support for password-protected feeds, etc.
iOS: Downcast - Way superior to the stock iOS app. Can schedule auto-refresh at specific times, organize in playlists, support for password-protected feeds, etc.
Although folks usually use iTunes or Stitcher or some other similar service for podcast enjoyment, it's still common enough to listen to podcasts using just RSS feeds. There are even apps for that exact purpose called pod catchers. This works especially well for podcasts that have RSS feeds but aren't listed in the iTunes store (for some reason). My personal favorite is Downcast
I don't have a solution for your particular problem, but I too had issues with itunes' podcast feature - specifically regarding sync, and across multiple devices.
I started using <strong>downcast</strong> for ios and its amazing. I have an iPhone and iPad so it syncs my podcasts over the air to iCloud without having to connect directly to itunes at all. Also, unlike itunes, it keeps downloading episodes even if I have missed a few lately. It can also force download over 3G/LTE if you'd like.
I highly recommend it!
Another feature I really like is playback at more than 1x (some podcasts can drag on so I like to listen faster)
I'm not associated with the product at all, but I really do love what it does, and use it every day! Cheers!
Downcast has an exporting function. You can use the unofficial RSS feeds to subscribe to your shows through Downcast, and in Downcast download all the episodes you want and export the MP3 files.
While iTunes and Apple Podcasts are the obvious answers, I doubt you would be happy since you are asking the question.
Instacast used to be a solution but it went away
The leaves Pocket Cast which has an IOS, Android, Windows Phone and web app version. The web app and other apps sync. The web app is a little under featured, though.
https://www.shiftyjelly.com/pocketcasts/
There is also Downcast.
!
Downcast has a Mac and an IOS client that syncs. The Pocket Casts web app is pretty darn nice for some things and typically what I use on Mac. It also syncs with the mobile app versions of Pocket Casts.
I used to use InstaCast and miss them but they went away a few years ago.
I've owned and used all of these clients.
https://www.shiftyjelly.com/pocketcasts/
!
Personnellement je suis sous iOS et j'utilise Downcast, une appli payante (3$) qui je trouve fait tout ce qu'il faut très bien. Et qui en plus permet des paramétrages assez fin par défaut ou pour chaque podcast séparément.
PocketCast is the best of a bad field, in my opinion.
I am a recent convert from iOS to Android. While most of it is fine -- this is one area in which the offerings just don't stack up. Along with the standard Apple app, iOS has Downcast, which I believe had absolutely perfected the idea. Unfortunately, no Android app.
When I moved over a couple of months ago, I read what I could find about the best Android app -- podcasts are a big thing for me. I downloaded and tried others, including Podkicker Pro, Doggcatcher, and Podcast Addict. They're all fine in a limited way -- but it just seemed like they were uninspired - that they never really perfected any aspect of the game or offered anything unique. I do like PocketCast. They have a great widget that allows me to control playback while on my home screen. It does most of the job that I need - but there have a been a couple of issues (If I am wrong and these are not issues -- they were, at least, not things that I could easily resolve):
No password/subscription. I have one favorite podcast that requires a password login. PocketCast does not permit this.
Search. You should be able to type in a URL for subscriptions. As it is, it only does a name search for the podcast name. It has failed on more than one occasion to locate something that I was looking for.
Past episodes. I am a bit confused on how it treats past episodes. I would prefer that once I delete something from a podcast, it stays gone unless I go seek it out. It continually refills a podcast feed with older episodes showing, even if not downloaded.
So, I like it but I would like to like it more.