Question About Accessibility of PocketCast

By Robert Spangler, 28 June, 2019

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

I am looking for an accessible podcast app which supports Google cast. This is important because I have multiple Google Home speakers throughout my home. PocketCasts provides this feature, but I am not sure whether it is accessible or not, and I do not wish to plunk down the cash until I know. Does anyone know if this app is accessible? If not, does anyone know of a good podcast app which does support casting to Google Home?

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Comments

By Travis Roth on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - 20:15

I have the app. It is usable, although I wouldn't say the interface for searching for podcasts is 100% efficient.
The one issue I noticed immediately is the account sign up process has a screen that is inoperable by VoiceOver. So this is potentially a showstopper. You have to choose to create an account or sign in. I was able to turn off VO and tap in the general area and got past it, once past this bad screen the create account form was usable. But this is less than optimal, and I am not sure if I could get Sign in the next time I install the app and want to use my account. So if you have no sighted help it is a consideration.
Once past that I've not found any show stoppers, just less than always efficient UI. But I'll note I've used the app little so far. I was attracted to it because it can sync with a Pocket Cast skill on Alexa, and this seems to work. It is the only app I know of that has an Alexa skill and that will sync so you can pick up in the middle of your podcast playing on either an Alexa or iOS device. If other apps can do this I'd like to know about it.

By Jordan yanez on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - 20:15

You don’t have to create an account you can create an account to sync podcasts a cross devices I have been using Pocket Cast app for about a year and a half

By Diego Garibay on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - 20:15

That app will use your Google account to sync over podcasts, it’s completely accessible. It also has the ability to create a faster version of a podcast. It’ll basically skip over silences.

By Dawn 👩🏻‍🦯 on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - 20:15

I like Overcast too. And it's free! The dev is 100% committed to accessibility & even states full Vo. support in the app disscription.
I'd also look at Spotify. I know they do podcasts and you have it on your phone & linked with Google home, you could just ask her to play the podcast. Honestly, I really don't see paying for an app when there's a free 1 out there that's accessible. I like Stitcher too, but it has its quirks too but if you can learn to deal, you'll be ok. I will say I haven't used the app in a while, so they could've improved &/or broke things. My favorite though is Overcast.

Thanks everyone for your responses. I will check out Overcast, but my main consideration is whether it can cast to Google Home. Shame to hear about the accessibility issues with Pocket. Tried it when I was using Android and it was less than optimal in regards to accessibility, so I am not surprised. I do use Spotify for music, so that's also worth checking out since it does cast. Thanks again!

By Daniel on Thursday, September 26, 2019 - 20:15

As of the latest version, of the app, the sign in button is now visible to Voiceover users.

Personally, in my opinion, I find V7 of the app to be a a lot more accessible than V6 with Voiceover on IOS. Can't say for Android. Plus the original poster was asking about google chrome cast originally.

All that really needs fixing up is there "Web Player" and then I think it could be a viable alternative in the podcast app space.

Competition is good to have because it provides choices to meet different users requirements in seeking what they want to do in an app's function.