In the summer of 2015, Apple launched Podcasts, a standalone application devoted to podcasts. This was a significant development for Apple who spurred interest in this medium through iTunes. As an app, Apple opened the flood gates. Podcasts underwent numerous iterations in accordance with its shifting focus from skeuomorphism to flat design. The bottom menu (iOS 12) includes: Listen Now, Library, Browse, and Search. Listen Now highlights recent episodes, Library lists shows, episodes, downloaded and recently updated episodes. Browse highlights featured podcasts along the top and below featured, Top Charts, All Categories and Featured Providers are listed. What is most noteworthy is Apple's use of typography to provide linked menus, as opposed to designating them to buttons or menu tabs along the top and bottom. Individual episodes are defined by album art, playback controls, episode management, and episode notes. Podcasts is a welcoming addition to Apple's menu of applications.
Breaker by Breaker Inc
In contrast to Apple's clean and minimalist design, Breaker prefers more information and more access to content upfront. The menu below includes: Playlist, Discover, Subscriptions, Activity, and Profile. Playlists features new, old, popular and customized episodes. The Discover section features "Hot Episodes," Recommended for you," and a search window to discover other podcasts. Subscriptions are presented in tile view and a plus symbol lets you import podcasts from links, other apps, or from popular shows. Activity is a timeline graphic that tracks what you and your friends are listening to, subscriptions, and who you are following. Profile highlights your activity in more pictorial fashion, including your personal icon, a tile preview of your subscriptions, and the current podcast episode at the bottom. What makes Breaker distinctive is the social component. Podcast listeners can follow other members, learn about what they are listening to, who they are following, and what episodes they liked.
Anchor by Anchor FM Inc
Anchor is an application that makes very easy to create a podcast. It's the only app that lets you record a high-quality audio podcast, and distribute it everywhere (including Apple Podcasts). And, best of all, the app is FREE. Anchor can be accessed from a designated app in the App Store or you can log in from a web browser. Inside the app, you can customize your album artwork, add a description for your podcast, and manage your assets for each episode. Tools are available to trim clips and sample recordings in the form of soundtracks and interludes can be added to each project. The app is free but you can elect to collect donations from your followers for continued support. Anchor is also a place where you can listen to other podcasters like yourself. Once you have published an episode, you can export individual chapters as animated videos that use Speech-to-Text to transcribe what you recorded. We recently gave anchor a spin and found it to be a wonderful option for aspiring podcasters. Check out our sample episode below.