When will Podcast app support 2X playback speed

It does..! If you tap the main screen, you will see a "tape recorder" graphic and you can select 1/2, 1x 1.5x, 2x and 3x playback speed.

The Pitch shifting algorhythm isn't nearly as smooth as the one in the Music app, so sometines it can sound a bit metallic.

And with the latest version 1.21 (331) update, the ability to change playback speed appears to be gone for good.. ***??

Oh, no.. not gone, just a completely different method of accessing the vari-speed option. No more vertical "swiping" now you simply "touch" "the graphic and the options appear.... RIP Steve Jobs and the concept of the standardized user interface...