When will Podcast app support playlists?

I have sent a polite but firm feedback note to Apple as suggested. I hope others do the same.

There have been problems with updates and playlists in the past. It took a little while, but Apple put them right in the end. In the meantime I'll use Soundhound until this issue is resolved.

Fail- Didn't work!

Another problem with the app is the slow downloading. In the morning when I try to download my podcasts to my phone I get this "preparing to download". I am home so this download is on wifi; I even keep it pluged in. Why don't these podcasts download faster?

This app is awful.

the whole thing on OSX ML and iTunes crawls anymore. I spend a lot of time watching the spinning color wheel of death waiting on iTunes (even after a re-install), when I plug-in. I've given up on wifi updates.

I see that with the IOS update comes a new Podcasts update, too. No mention of playlists, though. Bummer.

rhkennerly wrote:

I am coming to terms with "smart Playlists" but even when I right click the smart Playlist and select "Copy to Play Order", that doesn't order stick in my iphone music player after a sync using the cable. Can't figure out why.

If anybody finds an app for Podcasts that does playlist, please post.

Rick

rhkennerly: If you are still looking for a podcast app that handles playlists, I learned about a VERY useful one from an IOS podcast I listen to (TII, ep. 0230)

It's called PODBLASTER. First and foremost, it solves the playlist problem. It does not care if the Apple Podcast app is installed or not, you get full access to your playlists. Furthermore, unlike other podcast apps, it uses your EXISTING iTunes playlists. You do not have to create new ones!!

It also has other killer features... my favorite being ALTERNATE CONTROLS. It allows you to change the functionality of skip track buttons. Instead of skipping tracks, you can program it to skip by time intervals of your choice (ie. 30 seconds). This means you can have a 30 second skip forward and back on your lock screen, headphones, or even car steering wheel. I have always found those skip track buttons useless in the podcast world and now I have a use for them.

Anyway, it’s a terrific app… I highly recommend it.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/podblaster/id530011144?mt=8

Now, if Apple would only fix that pesky iTunes Match bug. They just took more money from me and I can't even use it with my playlists.

Many podcasts are free. Do you think this Apple app was a move for future profit in mind?

Anyone care to expand on these points.

THIS APP:

1. Does not stop playing when you get or make a phone call automatically
2. Is slow to download
3. More difficult to organize episodes
4. lacks playlists

Does the Podblaster solve these problems? Does it track? What is the Cost?

PodBlaster costs 99 cents, but based on the description, it doesn't look like it will solve the problem for those of us who want to create playlists of our podcasts. It sounds like another app that just displays existing playlists.

If you get a new set of podcasts every few days and want to periodically create new playlists, I don't see any way to do that. I've tried everyone's suggestions and even went to the Genius bar at the Apple store, and it still ain't happening.

Someone in an earlier post suggested SoundHound. So I downloaded it (it's free) but couldn't find any way to make playlists. I wrote to SoundHound asking how you do that, and they wrote back saying SoundHound doesn't make playlists and wherever did I get the idea that it does?

So far, I'm not seeing any solution anywhere and Apple hasn't moved to correct the problem. If anyone finds a way to CREATE NEW PLAYLISTS (not access old ones), please let us know. I would even pay for it.

And yes, the podcast app is very slow and awkward. Way worse than Apple Maps, but attracting less attention... Podcast lovers need to make a little more noise! Write to Apple now with your complaints!

Sounds like you would prefer something like Instacast or Downcast. I believe you can create playlists within those apps. Personally, I manage many [somewhat complicated] smart playlists in iTunes, so I need an app that will copy those playlists to the device, where they can be played... which even Apple's own Podcast app will not do.

Sure, you can delete Apple's app and use their native Music app, but I just can't get over the fact that Apple makes us delete one of their own apps to restore functionality.

For me, it's actually the other features in PodBlaster that makes it a keeper. Another one I didn't mention before... (well, not so much a feature, but general functionality...) is I can dock it in my car and still control the app. With the Music app, I get that annoying "Accessory Connected" screen and I am unable to control the app from the device.

I'll give it a look. Thanks!

I've tried deleting the Podcast app and reinstalling, I've bought a couple podcast apps that were suggested by others in this forum and none work! I am a long distance runner and run a lot of half marathons. I run for 2 hours at a time and have trained myself to listen to interesting discussions on topics that I find helpful for work. I don't alway want to listen to music. Unfortunately, it was a stupid move for the developers to take away something that worked great. May be there is only a small group of us that enjoyed making podcast playlists, but changing this feature removes a simple pleasure that really enhanced my uses of my iPod. Give us back the ability to make a podcast playlist within the music app!

Here, here! I very much agree. My situation is very similar and I'd imagine many others would want the capability for podcasts to be included in playlists restored.

Here is a story of the Maps App guybeing fired.

At least there are other apps that can be used in to forefill the need for directions.

Someone should send this discussion list to the reporter. Maybe then Apple might at least acknowledge this other screwup.

Adam Satariano in San Francisco

<Email Edited by Host>

@rhkennerly your Sept 28 "Success finally..." posted solution worked for me. Thanks. I did not need to reboot the iPod Touch for changes to take effect, just the: uncheck podcast syncing /sync /recheck podcast syncing / sync = did the job for me. My Podcast Playlist is back and working.

This was it! AND I didn't even reboot my phone.

Many thanks.