The best podcast app for iOS — Overcast — got a huge update today, and best of all, its creator has decided to drop the in-app purchases and make it completely free for everyone.
The popular Overcast 2.0 app now includes streaming, chapters, storage management smart speed and tons of other optimizations. Even though there aren’t any in-app purchases, creator Marco Arment has included a patronage option where customers can support the app with a small monthly donation.
With all the free new features, there’s really no reason not to use Overcast over Apple’s Podcast. One of the app’s best features is that it makes listening to podcasts a bit more social by allowing users to recommend podcast episodes to followers.
Here’s how to get the most out of Overcast recommendations:
Subscribe to a new podcast by tapping the + sign in the upper right corner.
You can add recommended podcasts, or search the directory for your favorites, like the Cult Cast
Tap the podcast you want and then press the subscribe button on the podcast’s page
To share or recommend individual episodes, tap the “i” button on the right.
Tap recommend and all your Twitter followers that also use Overcast will see it in their recommendations.
With Overcast 2.0, episodes can now be played immediately, so you don’t have to wait for them to download before getting started on the latest episode. You can also stream episodes instead of downloading to keep storage space free.
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
7 responses to “How to use Overcast to maximize your podcast fun”
I really like overcast but it doesn’t have the ability to favorite episodes, so I stopped using it,in favor of pocketcast. FYI sad to see instacast go out of business since it was my podcather of choice.
also comment typing is painfully laggy, here today
I was one of the (minority of) users who paid for Overcast. It going free is like a slap in the face, and I am tempted to stop using it just because of that.
Your money helped compensate the programmer of overcast. They appreciate your support.
I’ve purchase both Overcast and Downcast, and in my personal opinion, Downcast is way better.
Don’t understand all this love for overcast everywhere online.. Pocketcasts is much better
I agree. And Pocketcasts does video. I’m not sure that Overcast does video at all. One app for both audio and video podcasts, not separate apps.
Yep, I love PocketCasts on Android. It has all the features I need all wrapped up in an aesthetically pleasing package.