Pocket Casts, a popular podcast app, has made its web player and desktop apps free for all users. This move eliminates the need for a subscription, which was previously required to access these platforms. Users can now stream and listen to their favorite podcasts on the Pocket Casts Web Player without signing in.
However, creating a free account will unlock additional features such as syncing playback progress across devices, managing podcast queues, and saving subscriptions and preferences. The company emphasized its commitment to keeping podcasting open and accessible. “By making our Web Player available to everyone, we’re reinforcing our belief that podcasts belong to the people, not corporations,” Pocket Casts stated in its announcement.
This decision comes amidst a trend of major platforms moving towards proprietary systems that limit distribution and control discovery through algorithms. Pocket Casts aims to counter this by ensuring its platform remains open to all.
Web player now free for all
Despite the general apps being free, Pocket Casts still offers a “Plus” subscription. This includes advanced features like folders organization, smart shuffle, bookmark creation, chapter preselection, access to Apple Watch and Wear OS apps, 20GB of cloud storage, and more app customization options. In addition to the changes in its web and desktop apps, Pocket Casts for Android is also receiving updates.
The app has introduced a new header design, added a pull-to-refresh feature, and plans for a Material 3 redesign to further modernize its user interface. Pocket Casts’ decision to make its web player and desktop apps free marks a significant step in promoting an open podcasting ecosystem. It ensures users have the freedom and flexibility to enjoy their favorite content without restrictions.
The company’s stance places it in opposition to industry trends where major platforms have increasingly sought to control podcast distribution. By keeping its platform open and accessible, Pocket Casts offers a refreshing alternative for podcast enthusiasts.
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