i have searched but failed to find a definitive answer on the matter!!!
i have used "listen" by google, but it dosent update automatically, or find the new "kermode movie review" podcast for this week...
so my question is, what android podcast app can i subscribe to a podcast to and just let it update like on itunes? or am i using "listen" incorrectly and what should i do to get the most out of it?
i have searched but failed to find a definitive answer on the matter!!!
i have used "listen" by google, but it dosent update automatically, or find the new "kermode movie review" podcast for this week...
so my question is, what android podcast app can i subscribe to a podcast to and just let it update like on itunes? or am i using "listen" incorrectly and what should i do to get the most out of it?
thanks in advance
If there is one that lets you enter RSS feeds then that one.
Hello, I'd forget acast, I stuck with it since the day the Hero arrived (about a week after launch) until 2 weeks or so ago, it's very buggy and slows the phone down a lot. I switched to BeyondPod, it can download a podcast and play one at the same time without slowing the phone down, acast only has to be on the phone to make it crawl. Playing a podcast while using satnav was always rather dodgy with acast as it tended to stop playing partway through due to it eating CPU, and it rarely ever marked a podcast as played, requiring me to manage them by hand. BeyondPod is a far better app, it's an RSS reader too but it's not too good for that, but for podcasts it's responsive and leaves some CPU left for other apps. You can use it for free for 7 days then you need to pay, so you can try it without obligation. I've not tried doggcatcher, you only get 24 hours to try that before paying and there are complaints about it hogging the CPU so I doubt I'll bother with that.
I've been using Doggcatcher for a few weeks and find it excellent. You can set it up to automatically or manually update, to download only when on wi-fi or only when charging - and lots of other settings. I don't have to think about my podcasts any more - they're just always there. One of the best features for me is you can set up a folder as a virtual feed, meaning I can copy my recorded mp3s into the relevant folder and play them within Doggcatcher - better than the standard audio player as it has a fast forward button that you can set to skip a specified number of seconds. Not free, but worth the low price IMHO
You can do those things with BeyondPod too, although I'm not so sure about the folder as a virtual feed, I think acast can do that. I prefer the inbuilt player for playing most music as it's got the pause controls on the lock screen. I'd have tried doggcatcher if it wasn't for the 24-hour test period, it takes a lot longer than that to find the problems with a podcast app. Does doggcatcher slow the phone down much when playing and downloading? Beyondpod might as well not be running for all the impact it has on the phone performance, acast was a terrible performance hog. Beyondpod has a handy special feed that you can programme to play the first x podcasts on particular feeds at the press of a button and update those on demand, very useful for daily podcasts with timely information, e.g. news or sports podcasts that you want to listen to on the day they're released and aren't very interesting a few days later. You can split podcasts into user-defined categories and play an entire category (e.g. music, sport, general, etc) and set different update schedules for each one. I have my news ones updating 4 times a day and the rest just update once per day. It's also got a good widget (4x1) that's much more responsive than acast's was, although that isn't hard!
Last edited by ianr; September 21st, 2009 at 05:03 AM.
The Search facility in Listen seems hopeless. None of the BBC podcasts I've tried to add have appeared in the results, even if I type in the exact name of the programme. This seems extraordinary for a product from Google, the Search experts!
Luckily, it seems to be possible to add a subscription to Listen simply by using the web Browser to locate a link to the podcast feed (in the BBC's podcast pages this will be shown as "RSS feed"), and tapping on the link. If Listen is installed a little menu pops up including an option to add the feed to Listen's subscriptions.
Last edited by prepbgg; September 26th, 2009 at 11:43 AM.
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I was using BeyondPod to download podcasts for certain rss feeds and it worked ok. But the feeds I am most interested in are weekly talks that are sometimes 60 minutes long, which translates to a long download time.
So; I was testing MediaMonkey for syncing my mp3s to Hero (which I recommend) and noticed mediaMonkey app (which runs on the PC) can subscribe to rss feeds/podcasts and include them with the syncing of mp3s. So, I removed BeyondPod from the hero and let MediaMonkey do all the heavy downloading on the PC. A couple times a week I connect the Hero via USB and tell MediaMonky to sync and all my music mp3s and poscasts move onto the Hero. Works well for me.
BTW; I love the combination of Amazon.com MP3 store and MediaMonkey. It is so much better than Itunes. With Amazon you get real MP3s with no decurity. You catually use the audio files wherever you want. A much better workflow than Apples propriatary locked down system.
I'm still trying to persevere with Listen, but it seems to be very much Work In Progress in many respects. There are interesting discussions about this in the "listen-discuss" area of Google Groups. One problem is that, once I've added a podcast feed to my subscriptions, it is rather hit-and-miss as to whether Listen will actually download the latest episode.
However, I have discovered that it seems to be easier than I thought to get an individual episode into the phone's storage card. Taking a BBC podcast as an example, simply navigate to the web page for that podcast, find the link to "Download" the individual episode, long-press the link and choose the "Save link" option. Despite what it says, this actually seems to download and save the target of the link, not the link itself. The mp3 file is saved in the "download" folder on the SD card and the Music app automatically shows it in the list of available Albums.
I agree, google listen is not very good yet, I love doggcatcher also, easy to add podcasts and find them. It downloads a little slowly but I'd say worth the $$$
You can check out MyPOD, there is a free version available in the market. It's a nice looking app, with all the features you need for a podcatching app, download on power/wifi, and you can select automatic updates and downloads on the feed.
I'm looking for a good video podcast app and tried MyPod. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to play mp4 videos. I add Attack of the Show and try to stream the episode, and it only plays the audio. I download the file, and the same thing. I go into the mypod directory and find the file and play it directly and it plays fine.
I rarely listen to audio podcasts - I just watch video podcasts while doing light cardio on a machine - so that's a deal breaker for me.
I'd like to bump this if I may, as I'm looking for a decent free podcast/rss app that will allow me to listen to the odd radio show from the BBC. I'm trying Beyond Pod but was wondering if there was a decent free alternative - I've encountered a few errors with downloading programs/shows beyond the first in a series. I have it synced to my Google Reader account which stores the subscriptions and if there is an app that can utilise this, I'd appreciate the advice, thanks.
i just got beyondpod full version. It has certainly made everything a ton easier on me. Previously i was using doubletwist which was simply a gigantic pain in the ass, the thing just can't be made to sync right. I then tried Stitcher for streaming podcasts, but I listen to them mainly on my commute and traveling 70 mph being passed across a dozen cell towers was hell on streaming. So finally i got beyondpod, which gives you the choice to either stream or download the podcast (on a schedule) and once its set up, its wonderful. Even works with bluetooth controls.
I agree that its not a great RSS feed reader. I put my podcasts in as RSS feeds tho and its pretty simple to import them straight from google reader. But for text feeds, I'll stick with NewsRob. I'd be thrilled if they really brought great RSS feed reading to it but I'm happy with it as it is...for how much I listen to podcasts, 7 bucks one time fee is an easy choice.
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read the reviews of doggcatcher because i was getting a touch of buyers remorse because i didnt even research it before i bought beyondpod. It seems to be very similar to BeyondPod. Same price, 7 bucks, great at podcasts, not so great at RSS feeds.
What are the real differences between them? Anyone tried both? Seems like its hard to go wrong with either.
Because its so easy now, my podcast listening has just exploded. I'm now subscribed to twit, twig, bol, adam carolla, net at night, android central, phandroid, engadget, am i bugging you, androidguys and i still need mooore! give me more!!
Last edited by cabbie; November 13th, 2010 at 03:24 PM.
Reason: .
I read through this and didn't see any mention of hapi podcast - I've used it and after looking through several forums, I'm going to go back to it, as it is a free option, and I make a habit of using free apps. It will automatically download new podcasts (you can use RSS/Atom feeds as well). It's pretty basic, but does what I want it to, since I haven't found sufficient free software to automatically sync between iTunes and Android.
So far every podcast app I have seen requires you to add your files to a queue to listen to. Is there an app that you can just select a specific podcast and listen to all the new ones in it?
I read through this and didn't see any mention of hapi podcast - I've used it and after looking through several forums, I'm going to go back to it, as it is a free option, and I make a habit of using free apps. It will automatically download new podcasts (you can use RSS/Atom feeds as well). It's pretty basic, but does what I want it to, since I haven't found sufficient free software to automatically sync between iTunes and Android.
I'm using Hapi Podcast and I love it. But I'm having trouble adding additional podcasts. For instance I want to subscribe to the Tony Kornheiser show. I think the problem is that I can't subscribe with RSS. Any ideas?
I'm using Hapi Podcast and I love it. But I'm having trouble adding additional podcasts. For instance I want to subscribe to the Tony Kornheiser show. I think the problem is that I can't subscribe with RSS. Any ideas?
If you go the website you give, there is a FAQ in the top left corner which gives the following link:
Listen has been driving me nuts. I used to think it was just my MyTouch 3G, then I got the Samsung Galaxy S 4G and it still has problems. I really like Google stuff, but this program is not ready for prime time. I have all of the problems that other people have - the inability to play a program properly until it's downloaded - the podcast restart problems, the slider not working right - starting programs from the beginning even though the slider says its in the middle of the podcast, not being able to find simple podcasts that I can find easily using Google search from a desktop. It's
maddening. I'll pony up the $6.99 for BeyondPod and see how well it works.
I'll piut down a vote for MyPOD - It's the best one I've found and the dev is really helpful and responsive. It does everything I need it to audio and video podcasts , auto-downloading on power or wifi, reader integration. Takes a bit of time to learn because it has so many functions though. As the dev says it's a power user app. I've use it for a year and it's still the best I've found. I think the people who dont rate it dont give it the tiny bit of extra time it need to learn.
Last edited by siliconeagle; June 1st, 2011 at 07:29 PM.
I hate to admit it but I have given up trying to use my android phone for listening to podcasts. I subscribe to about a dozen podcasts, and nothing I have tried has been as easy as (how I hate to say this) itunes with my ipod touch. After all these years it just amazes me that google, microsoft, amazon, all of them, have let itunes (which is no gem by any means) dominate this space.
I hate to admit it but I have given up trying to use my android phone for listening to podcasts. I subscribe to about a dozen podcasts, and nothing I have tried has been as easy as (how I hate to say this) itunes with my ipod touch. After all these years it just amazes me that google, microsoft, amazon, all of them, have let itunes (which is no gem by any means) dominate this space.
I completely agree with everything you said. And especially now that I'm in the Google Music beta, I really want to try and get off of itunes, but there really is no easier way to get podcasts then through itunes, which drives me crazy.
I've been trying out BeyondPod, and it's ok. But I'm still going to keep my eyes out for something that might be better.
Well, I tried Doggcatcher and like it the most so far. I deleted google listen...it was, well, not good.
I still use my ipod touch for music and podcast listening around the house, but Doggcatcher is working fine at finding and pulling down podcasts when I'm on the road and don't want to mess with two devices.
Doggcatcher was worth the money. Kudos to the developer.
Doggcatcher and BeyondPod seems to be the 2 most popular podcast players, and I paid for BeyondPod, but how good is Winamp as a podcast player? Has anyone tried it out?
how good is Winamp as a podcast player? Has anyone tried it out?
As a player it's fine, but you d/l subscribed feeds via the desktop app and then have to sync them to the handset. I prefer an app that pulls them directly to the handset.
As a player it's fine, but you d/l subscribed feeds via the desktop app and then have to sync them to the handset. I prefer an app that pulls them directly to the handset.
Thanks, glad to know I didn't waste my money paying for BeyondPod
anyone know of a good review for doggcatcher? I have used beyondpod so I know about that am curious about dog catcher.
I don't know of any reviews, but if you have any questions I'd be happy to answer them. I switched to doggcatcher last week after using pocketcasts for a while.
and how do you like it? what does the playback screen look like when playing a podcast? Does it have a sleep timer? ie say set it for 15 minutes and every 15 minutes I have to hit "continue" in order to keep going otherwise it stops.
Does it remember your position where you left off? in multiple podcasts? Can I delete a podcast when done listening to it (manually not automatically) relatively easily?
guess I really should just go try it but wanted to hear from someone who already has first.
and how do you like it? what does the playback screen look like when playing a podcast? Does it have a sleep timer? ie say set it for 15 minutes and every 15 minutes I have to hit "continue" in order to keep going otherwise it stops.
Does it remember your position where you left off? in multiple podcasts? Can I delete a podcast when done listening to it (manually not automatically) relatively easily?
guess I really should just go try it but wanted to hear from someone who already has first.
I found this image on google:
You can see that the player controls are always on screen. It won't switch to a new screen when you play a podcast. There's also an option to play media with an 3rd party app, which I would prefer, although I haven't tried to set that up yet with poweramp.
Yes, there's a sleeptimer option there with options for 15/30/45/60/90/120 minutes. I haven't used it though.
It remembers your position yes. I just tried with three podcasts and it remembered, so presumably there's no limit.
You can just long press and hit delete to remove an eppisode (you can also have it delete them automatically, although I don't have that turned on).
Overall, I prefer it to pocketcasts, which I found to be a bit simplistic.
Last edited by Xyro; October 22nd, 2011 at 01:36 PM.
I want to manage my podcasts with yes iTunes but is it possible to use WinAmp to bring then onto an Android Charge along with my music. I use the Touch 3G at work and want to get a Charge for away form work. It would be nice to just carry one device. I am trying not to get an iPhone 4G. DTG on iPhone is lacking.
I want to manage my podcasts with yes iTunes but is it possible to use WinAmp to bring then onto an Android Charge along with my music. I use the Touch 3G at work and want to get a Charge for away form work. It would be nice to just carry one device. I am trying not to get an iPhone 4G. DTG on iPhone is lacking.
I've been using isyncr (I think it is $1.99). The app resides on your phone but you run it when connect your android phone to any PC or Mac. It reads in your iTunes playlists and you can select which playlists you want synced to your phone. After syncing you can just go to playlists in WinAmp and your selected iTunes playlist should be there. It also works with many other android music players. Only problem is I haven't been able to find a music player that has "remember playback position". I don't want to have load other apps just to listen to podcast and audiobooks.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xyro
I don't know of any reviews, but if you have any questions I'd be happy to answer them. I switched to doggcatcher last week after using beyondpod for a while.
Why did you switch? What are your thoughts now 2 months on?
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I have to confess, I am about to go back to using my iPod touch for podcasts, and I am not happy about that. I was hoping I could get rid of it all together.
A friend of mine downloaded beyondpod on my phone and he was too impatient to really explain all the ins and outs, he did this with a bunch of other apps he recommended when my phone was new. He and I went through and added all my favorite podcasts, and yes, I have about 30 of them.
He didn't tell me anything about the beyondpod being a trial that I would have to pay for.
I am willing to pay for it, and my trial period is up, problem is that it keeps telling me to go to 'menu>more>purchase unlock key for more information' when I try to update the feeds and try as I might, I am completely unable to even find this menu to start in.
I would really like to purchase this and try it out some more, I guess I got spoiled by the iTunes/iPod touch setup. And to think I hated iTunes all this time. I very much want to use my phone for my podcasts as I listen to them at work and need to be able to answer my phone at the same time, it was always a problem before I got this phone. I'd hate to have to buy an iPhone to get around this problem as I really dislike the whole cult of apple and want to get away from it.
Can anyone help me here with specific instructions for an old man who is not a techie?
Last edited by RobInfinity; October 22nd, 2011 at 02:30 AM.
Why did you switch? What are your thoughts now 2 months on?
Whoops, my bad. I meant to say I switched from Pocketcasts, a third podcasts app, rather than BeyondPod. I don't have any experience of Beyondpod.
I am happy with doggcatcher, however.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RobInfinity
I am willing to pay for it, and my trial period is up, problem is that it keeps telling me to go to 'menu>more>purchase unlock key for more information' when I try to update the feeds and try as I might, I am completely unable to even find this menu to start in.
I haven't gone through the process my self, but by 'menu >> more >> purchase', it means to first hit the actual menu button on your phone. That should bring up a menu of options on screen, one of which is 'more', and so on.
It looks like clicking 'purchase' will take you to the market to purchase this app. Once that is installed, it will enable all the features in beyond pod again.
Please note that you should not uninstall the original beyond pod app - the unlock key app is simply that, a key that unlocks features in the main app.
OMG I am so glad that so many people are sharing this.
I've tried all the podcasts and still trying
BeyongPod: workable but not free
MyPOD: weird. hate it
Google Listen: all the problems listed
Hapi Podcast: ironically the most basic but also the most sensible software. It works! Problem is that the app hasn't been updated for such a long time so it does not support certain formats (e.g it does not download BusinssWeek).
I too am amazed why such a simple software causes such a pain. I had even better experience on my old Nokia N95 (with its own built in podcasts)
Its super easy to use, just search for the podcast you want by name and listen! It can find any show on iTunes and it remembers where you left off so next time you come back to listen, its all right there.
I have been using DobleTwist for listening to podcasts for several months. I am reading this thread looking for a replacement. It's a bit klunky. It requires DLing to the PC and syncing to the phone. I don't particularly mind this but the program is very slow, a bit awkward and can't always find the podcast I'm looking for.
Thought I'd chime in on this, but by no means am I an authority on podcast players. I started about 9 months ago with Google Listen. I ended up sending my Droid X back to Verizon 3 times because of a phantom rebooting issue. It freaking drove me nuts. Turns out, that as soon as I uninstalled GL, my Droid quit the rebooting crap. For about 3 months now I've been using Stitcher Podcast Radio. It's pretty basic and I've not been able to find (nor have I actually looked) any legacy podcasts. Its also got its share of bugs. I usually only listen to the latest podcasts anyway. There's probably a way to find them if I cared to actually look. It's a free app which is another reason I have it.
Last edited by cgregoryaz; December 22nd, 2011 at 12:55 PM.
Reason: Forgot to use the full name of the app
Not happy with any of them at the moment so using itunes and then isync into a 'Podcast' folder.
The issue with this system is that the podcasts that you listen to on your android device will not automatically appear as "played" / "listened" on your itunes. It causes a bit of headache to syncronize multiple podcasts.
If I go on a long road trip i'd like to have 5 unplayed podcasts of each subscription and automatically update them.
No dice.
Another option was Songbird but it does not show the contents of each podcats. It only shows the date.
I wonder if there is a way to get rid of my ipod but the podcast solutions for Android leave me dissatified. I may consider / check now pocket casts
stefano
I use podcaster. superior gui. fast and responsive.
I do however hate the file management. proprietary structure and naming. so I can "manually" add podcasts. it ignores anything that did not come through "it"
and while album art is nice its not "dynamic" it uses the podcasts primary art and not the "unique" art that some podcasts used for EACH episode.
overall its my favorite. dogg catcher has better features in some aspects but its less polished in the gui download department though it DOES have "open" file management.
one big downside to podcaster is it does NOT permit me to define where it saves the podcasts. fortunately I have 16gb of internal memory so this is a relatively minor issue but still annoying.
Not permitting where to save is a dealbreaker. I have a cheap phone (Comet) and I was wondering whether to upgrade to a nicer one (Samsung Galaxy). I have an iPod nano that is great for Podcasts but I would like to find an elegant software alternative for Android.
Something that would let me see a text summary of the content, that would mark as played on my computer the podcasts I would listen on my Android phone and that could update with unplayed podcats. I am checking now google music that is putting in the cloud my itunes library including podcasts.
well if you have a cheap phone you have no internal memory so it defaults to the SD CARD (on my phone the internal memory is called SD CARD (its an "internal" sd card) I also have an EXTERNAL SD card ie the one I can remove which is where I want the files to go.
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best podcast app
button.
yes iTunes but is it possible to use WinAmp to bring then onto an Android Charge along with my music. I use the Touch 3G at work and want to get a Charge for away form work. It would be nice to just carry one device. I am trying not to get an iPhone 4G. DTG on iPhone is lacking.
