Podcast

Let’s Talk Jailbreak – 03: What type of socks are you wearing?

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Welcome to episode 3 of Let's Talk Jailbreak. In this episode, Sebastien and I discuss iOS 6.1.3, Apple's perception of jailbreakers, the previous week's jailbreak tweaks, how we met, a sleeper jailbreak tweak, an update on the progress of the podcast, and much more.

Like last week, this week's episode again takes into account some of your suggestions. For instance, some of you will be happy to find a brief introduction to the podcast. Take a look inside for the iTunes links, direct download links, and more.

Apple updates Podcasts app with new playback UI, custom stations and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 9, 2016

Apple has updated its largely unpopular Podcasts app this afternoon, bringing it to version 1.2. The update is a fairly significant one, bringing about a number of improvements including iCloud syncing, custom stations and more.

Proponents of a less-skeuomorphic design will be happy to hear that Apple has also dialed down the styling in the app a bit. The new playback window, for example, now features flat icons instead of the bulky tape-like buttons...

Let’s Talk Jailbreak – 02: Pacifiers are evil

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Welcome to episode 2 of Let's Talk Jailbreak. In this episode, Jeff and I sit down and talk about the reasons why we and other people jailbreak, battery life, some of our favorite jailbreak tweaks, and we also review this week's tweaks that were released in Cydia.

This new episode takes into account some of the feedback you guys gave us last week. Most noticeably, I worked on improving the sound quality on my end. Turns out my mic settings were all jacked up, but after some serious tweaking and sound recording tests, I think I finally hit the sweet spot. It's not perfect yet, but it's better. We're working on making it perfect, so hang tight...

Let’s Talk Jailbreak – 01: Thanks Alyssa Milano!

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

It's been a long time in the making, (remember this?), but we have finally started our first weekly podcast. This particular podcast, entitled Let's Talk Jailbreak, will be focused mostly on jailbreaking, and the jailbreak community. We hope to have some great developers and influential members of the community on soon. In this first episode, we talk to iDB founder Sebastien Page, as he gives us a high level overview of iDownloadBlog.

Is Apple putting Podcast out to pasture?

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 18, 2013

Apple’s Podcast app was released alongside iOS 6 in September 2012 and soon after drew the ire of design conscious users who saw it as a prime example of how skeumorphism devalues usability. That was only tip of the iceberg because users kept on hammering the software in iTunes ratings over its user unfriendliness, slow performance, lack of basic features and a whole host of other issues that go far beyond just teething problems.

And with just 1.5 stars based on nearly 6,000 ratings in the App Store, Podcast is the worst iOS app Apple has ever made, period. Venting his frustration with Apple's seemingly ignorant handling of the app, John Herrman in an article on BuzzFeed titled “Apple’s Podcast Disaster” raises some valid concerns regarding Apple and the future of podcasting...

iPad mini event keynote now available for download as a podcast from iTunes

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

In case you were not able to watch the iPad mini keynote live as it was happening yesterday, Apple made the video available for streaming on its website shortly after. But for those of you who don't want to be tied to a wifi network in order to watch the keynote, you'll be happy to learn that the whole iPad mini event is now available as a podcast download from iTunes...

Apple’s Podcasts app updated with iOS 6 support, and iCloud subscription syncing

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 28, 2017

Finally, Apple's Podcast app is usable. I lamented over the fact that there was no iCloud subscription syncing included with the initial release, but it looks like Apple has acknowledged this glaring hole, and fixed it up just in time for iOS 6.

Take a look inside for the full change log, and our video hands-on of the original release...

The iPhone 5 keynote now available as high-def iTunes download

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 13, 2012

If you wanted to watch Tim Cook and his team the iPhone 5, iOS 6, iTunes and new iPods but don't want to stream, you can now download the entire iPhone 5 keynote as iTunes video podcast, free of charge. Though Apple did not provide a live stream of yesterday's event, just a few hours later the company made available a streaming video of the presentation through its web site. If history is indication, following the Apple.com stream and iTunes podcast it shouldn't be too long until the keynote pops up on Apple's YouTube channel...

Apple finally fixes buggy Podcasts app

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 25, 2012

A month ago Apple removed Podcasts section from iOS 6 storefronts and posted a dedicated new app to let folks download, consume and manage audio and video podcasts on the go.

Apart from its skeuomorphic design mimicking a vintage tape recorder, the program was plagued with unreliable performance, unexpected quits and generally a bunch of bugs. These issues are clearly reflected in abysmal iTunes ratings that at the time of this writing barely hovered over two and a half stars out of five.

Our own Jeff Benjamin noticed as much, observing in his video hands-on that the radio-dial interface is interesting at first sight, but not very efficient and syncing often doesn't work as intended. Today, Apple pushed out a minor update that promises to squash these pesky bugs while bringing out a couple of new nice-to-haves...

Hands on with the new Podcasts app

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 28, 2017

A short while ago, Apple released their official Podcasts app on the App Store. The release wasn't exactly a surprise, as it was rumored to be in the works for some time now.

The new Podcasts app is a free universal download, and serves as a much needed way to manage podcasts. Granted there are other podcast apps available on the App Store, but this is the first time that we've seen something from Apple directly.

Why it took Apple so long to create a podcast management app is anyone's guess. Whatever their reasoning, the bottom line is that it's finally here. Check inside for a full hands on video walkthrough of Apple's new Podcasts app.

Apple launches new Podcasts app

Cody Lee ∙ June 26, 2012

There has been some speculation over the past few weeks that Apple was looking to debut a standalone podcasts app alongside iOS 6 this fall. But it looks like they couldn't wait.

Apple just rolled out an all-new Podcasts application, universal for all iOS 5.1+ devices. And we have to admit, it looks fantastic. Keep reading for more details and screenshots...

Podcasts will have their own app in iOS 6

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 27, 2016

According to Peter Kafka of AllThingsD, and verified independently by my sources, podcasts in iOS 6 will have a dedicated app come this fall. Though the Podcast section is still present in desktop iTunes 10.6.3, released earlier this week, removing it from iOS 6 iTunes storefront indicates plans that a brand new Podcast app is in the works. Another tell-tale sign: at first run, the iTunes app tells you the iTunes U section has moved to a dedicated app, released back in January. Oh, Audiobooks too are MIA...