Podcasts for iOS adds Siri, CarPlay integration

If you’ve been an avid user of Podcasts for iOS, you’re in for a treat. A new version of the app now helps make things easier for you. Siri has been integrated into the app. You can now say “play podcasts” or tell Siri to play a specific station. The app also now has CarPlay support in preparation for the new cars coming out.

Version 2.1 also brings a quicker way to browse through your podcasts. There are new Unplayed and Feed tabs to rifle through. You can enable offline listening and tinker with the settings to let the app delete podcasts you’ve already listened to.

Source: MacRumors

Apple celebrates 1 Billion podcast subscriptions

Apple's iPod and iTunes revolutionized how music was purchased and enjoyed but another bi-product of this ecosystem was the profilferation of podcasts, which are audio broadcasts distributed online for anytime access. Apple is celebrating one billion podcast subscriptions.

To mark this special ocassion Apple is highlighting some of the most popular podcasts of all time, as well as a collection of captivating new shows.

 Some additional information regarding podcast content in iTunes

• Over 250,000 podcasts are available on iTunes, offering podcasts in over 100 languages

• More than 8 million episodes of audio, video, enhanced audio and documents are available to customers

• Podcasts are available to customers in the 155 countries 

• Podcasts are available with the Podcasts app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or on Apple TV, Mac or PC

Apple's Podcasts App features Canadian content

The Podcasts app was extracted from the Music app on iOS in order to serve as a more robust standalone app for users looking through hundreds of audio and video podcasts available out there for free. The app now features various sections as well as an interesting 'discovery' model that emulates an old world radio where users can scroll though genres of content. Focus on featured Canadian content is also a definite plus that makes this Podcast app worth checking out.