Apple updates Podcasts iOS app bringing new features and refreshed UI

Apple has updated its Podcasts app adding the ability to create custom stations that automatically update with new episodes when they become available.

The updated app also allows users to choose whether their stations begin playback with the newest or oldest unplayed episode. It stores stations in iCloud and keeps them up-to-date on all devices linked to the same iCloud ID. It also lets users create an On-The-Go playlist with their own list of episodes.
 
In addition to these, Playlists synced from iTunes now appear in the Podcasts app.

The app also brings a refreshed user interface and features a new Now Playing view which according to Apple has been redesigned with easier to use playback controls. Interestingly, the new UI moves away from the skeumorphic tape recorder like Now Playing screen of the earlier version. Perhaps this is an indicator of the direction that iOS will take under new design chief Jony Ive, who is said to be planning a move away from his predecessor's skeumorphic design approach.
 
The update also fixes some issues including one related to resuming playback when returning to the app, in addition to bringing additional performance and stability improvements.

For the uninitiated, a podcast consists of a series of episodes that users can subscribe to, and receive new content periodically in the form of audio files (called audio podcast, or simply podcast) or videos (called video podcast, or vodcast).

When Apple released iOS, podcasts found themselves under the iTunes Store app, similar to the iTunes app under Mac or Windows. But the podcasts functionality was pretty basic, with no real way to discover & subscribe content from your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. Third-party apps like Instacast and Pocket Casts stepped in to fill the void.

However, Apple released the Podcasts app in June 2012, after taking the podcasts section out of the iTunes app.

What's New in Version 1.2

• Create custom stations of your favorite podcasts that update automatically with new episodes
• Choose whether your stations begin playing with the newest or oldest unplayed episode
• Your stations are stored in iCloud and kept up-to-date on all of your devices
• Create an On-The-Go playlist with your own list of episodes
• Playlists synced from iTunes now appear in the Podcasts app
• The Now Playing view has been redesigned with easier to use playback controls
• Addressed an issue with resuming playback when returning to the app
• Additional performance and stability improvements