“The future of podcasting shouldn’t be trapped,” says the team at Pocket Casts. They’ve made their web player free for all, pushing this idea further.
Before, only paid users could access it, but now anyone can stream nearly any public podcast. Features include playback speed control and the ability to create playlists. By signing up, you can sync your listening progress, manage your playlist, bookmark favorite moments, and keep track of your subscriptions. This free access also extends to their apps for Windows and Mac.
“Podcasting is one of the last open parts of the internet, and we’re dedicated to keeping it that way,” says Pocket Casts. Their message clearly aims at big players like Spotify, which have tried to control the podcast market. Podcasts started as open, RSS-based platforms, and these big services have been pushing to change that.
Pocket Casts emphasizes that discovering new shows should happen naturally, not through algorithms or AI pushing what’s “best” for the platform.
Spotify has invested heavily in podcasts, acquiring popular shows like the Joe Rogan Experience and tools for analytics and advertising. As they explore video podcasts, aiming to rival YouTube’s offerings, Pocket Casts’ worry about losing the original open nature of podcasting seems valid. Automattic, the owner of Pocket Casts, is currently involved in debates around how “open” its products should be.
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