Downcast

Category
News

Description of App

A powerful, complete, and easy to use podcast player that will help you manage and listen to podcasts the way you want to. Now with CarPlay support! "Downcast: Probably The Best Podcast Downloader for iPad and iPhone" - Wired Gadget Lab Subscription Features • Search, subscribe to and download audio and video podcasts of any size • Manually subscribe to podcasts via URL • Download podcasts automatically • Continue podcast downloads in the background* • Browse and download older podcast episodes • Auto-refresh podcast feeds • Settings for auto-download and episode retention • Import and export podcast feeds via OPML • Import supported audio/video media files • Support for password-protected podcasts • Create and edit "smart" playlists • View podcast details and episode show notes • Rename podcast titles iCloud Syncing with other iOS devices or Macs** • Podcast subscriptions • Playlists • Settings • Episode information Playback Features • Video and audio AirPlay support • .5x, 1x, 1.25x, 1.5x, 2x, 2.25x, 2.5x and 3x speed playback • Chapters support for enhanced podcasts • Stream episodes without downloading • Playback control from external devices • Bluetooth devices • Headphone remote controls • Devices connected via Lightning/dock connector • View embedded images in podcast episodes • Gesture support • Sleep timer • Google Cast™ Ready ----------------------------------------- For support, please search our support site at http://support.downcastapp.com or email us at support@downcastapp.com! For the latest information about Downcast, please follow @downcastapp on Twitter! * Per iOS restrictions ** iCloud syncing with Macs requires Downcast for Mac, which is a separate purchase from the Mac App Store

Version

2.9.48

Free or Paid

Paid

Apple Watch Support

Yes

Device(s) App Was Tested On

iPhone

iOS Version

13.4

Accessibility Comments

This app is fully accessible with VoiceOver. All buttons are clearly labelled, there are appropriate hints, and the interface is intuitive and easy to use.

Having used nearly every other podcast app that is available, this is now my favorite. Unlike some of those other apps, VoiceOver support does not appear like it was an afterthought. Nor does it get in the way of the basic usability of the app (I like iCatcher!, but I do find myself a little frustrated at how the elements and controls added to make it accessible actually impact a little on the user experience).

All of the features of Downcast are accessible. I particularly like the fact that podcasts with unplayed episodes are grouped at the top of your list of subscribed podcasts. This makes it much quicker and easier to keep track of new episodes (although you can also use the app's playlist feature to do this).

Downcast appears to offer the best of both worlds - a very good set of features, along with full support of VoiceOver. Highly recommended.

VoiceOver Performance

VoiceOver reads all page elements.

Button Labeling

All buttons are clearly labeled.

Usability

The app is fully accessible with VoiceOver and is easy to navigate and use.

App Store Link

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/downcast/id393858566?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Developer's Website

http://www.downcastapp.com/

Developer's Twitter Username

@downcastapp

Recommendations

22 people have recommended this app

Most recently recommended by Typical Janner 1 year 8 months ago

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Comments

By Sebby on Thursday, February 9, 2023 - 16:20

So, this is a great app, even now. The ravages of time and changes in sentiments and technological approaches still haven't deprived it of its power or charm, although I fully understand if people who are less touchy about data sovereignty go elsewhere for apps that integrate with back-end sync services. The app does appear to have been in stasis for a while, but it's still being worked on, and the feature list is practically grown up with kids at this point.

There's only one thing wrong with this as far as I can tell, and that is that there's no apparent way to sync episodes statuses without also syncing download status. That's a wee bit of a problem if you've got devices with radically different storage pressures, like a Mac and an iPhone, or an iPhone and another, bigger iPhone. Does anyone know what the solution to this problem is?

By LThree05 on Friday, July 26, 2024 - 16:20

I’ve been using pocket casts and I like it a lot but the subscription price is ridiculous and I don’t like that you have to download episodes on overcast to play them so I’m considering this. I have a few questions about it. Is it still fully accessible? Does it crash often? Does it have the features that are standard for other podcast players like volume boost/voice boost and playlists?

By Blee Blat on Friday, July 26, 2024 - 16:20

I have no idea about volume or voice boost features, because I've never had any reason to use such silliness, but they likely exist, since it has any other feature you could want. I agree about the pocketcast subscription, but it's a bit annoying that downcast will not sync with anything that isn't icloud, so you can't really sync your iphone with a PC for podcasts if you use that. That might be an advantage for pocketcasts, but I'm not sure it's worth the subscription price just to sync everywhere.