Is there anything you’d like to ask. What’s the first podcast app that comes to mind for Windows 11? Can you subscribe to your favorite shows as soon as you set up your new Windows PC? If you still can’t find the answer, that’s exactly why Microsoft needs to introduce its own version for Windows 12.
Apple has definitely been at the forefront with podcasts since introducing the category in iTunes 4.9 in 2005. Since then, Podcasts has expanded into its own app on all platforms, and more recently, WWDC has added new features to the Podcasts app. Expected in his 2023 early this year, including support for individual episode art and a redesigned Now Playing screen.
And that’s without even mentioning the plethora of third-party podcast apps you can download, from Overcast to Pocket Casts. And even Spotify hosts its own exclusive show with Louis Theroux to entice you to subscribe.
But for Windows users, it’s not that simple. Just as I think MSN Messenger should come back as a rival to iMessage and WhatsApp, it’s time for Microsoft to consider something similar for podcasts as a dedicated app.
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If you go to the Microsoft Store on Windows 11 and type in “podcasts,” you’ll see a ton of free and paid podcast apps that don’t quite fit into the Windows overview.
Some, like Grover Pro, offer an intensive experience reminiscent of Groove Music before it was remade into Media Player in 2022, but its updates have been few and far between, and its name and design are reminiscent of Windows 8. Masu. This is probably what Microsoft would do. I don’t want to use it as a reference again.
Strangely enough, it turns out that while Microsoft has a lot of its own podcasts, it doesn’t have a dedicated app to showcase them all.
Currently, Spotify is the only app that offers anything close to a unified experience for Windows users, but that’s not enough for a company as big as Microsoft.
In Windows 11, media players can play videos as well as music, but it would be great to see a new standalone app in Windows 12 that focuses solely on podcasts. We’ve seen how apps like iTunes can work. Too many Characteristics – Feels bloated and slow.
What advice would you give to Microsoft? Let’s borrow some of the Media Player design metaphors and simply call it “Windows Podcasts Player.” This is a perfect name for an existing music app, and lets you know exactly what the app does and who designed it.
Using a Microsoft account is useful here. It keeps track of your past media purchases, such as movies and games, so you can also keep track of the shows you subscribe to through this app. So, for example, if you download the app on your iPhone, all you have to do is sign in to your Microsoft account and it’ll just download the recordings of the shows you’re subscribed to, along with the latest shows you’re currently listening to. Similar to other podcast apps like Overcast.
This also works well if you bought a new device or upgraded to Windows 12 for the first time. During the startup screen when you sign in to your account, the podcast you’re listening to may already have been retrieved and ready to go before you reach your desktop.
This ties into CEO Satya Nadella’s long-held belief that Microsoft needs to be available on as many platforms as possible. But Nadella also had a trump card.
Podcasting, Microsoft style
Microsoft has a unique opportunity. In addition to the Xbox and Surface tablet and desktop series, the company also offers an Android smartphone called the Surface Duo. Nadella has consistently promoted the goal of Windows being a service, and a podcast app can do that and more.
Having a dedicated podcast app that can sync across all these devices would be very appealing. For example, being able to control show playback while playing Dead by Daylight: Nicolas Cage would be even more appealing.
The majority of podcasts are hosted through something called an RSS feed. This is essentially a “live” link that updates as new content appears. This allows the podcast to upload new episodes, and apps that work with it to display the episode and artwork, as well as notes to its links.
However, some apps, such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify, allow creators to offer “premium” feeds, which may have ad-free episodes or include exclusive content for a monthly fee. there is.
Microsoft’s Podcast Player may also take advantage of this, taking a cut of the revenue. This is a win-win scenario for the company and these hosts, especially if the rates for these creators are better than those offered by Spotify and Apple on their respective platforms.
Another easy win for Microsoft – if it chooses to do so.
It’s still surprising that in 2023, this is a category that Microsoft has shown zero interest in making easier for users.The podcast is whereverIf you’re using Android or iOS, you can easily access it with just a few taps.
However, you must use third-party options for now. That is if it works fine on a Windows 11 machine. Next, you need to manage another app on another device. This is a headache no one wants, and we don’t need it in the cloud era.
For Windows 12, Windows Podcast Player solves another pain point that appeals to many users who listen to shows every day within the Windows ecosystem, which can be synced across all Microsoft devices. There is a possibility.
The company has a lot of opportunity here, going back to its mantra of bringing Windows as a service to as many devices as possible – so we’re looking at doing the same with the Open Podcasts Platform in Windows 12 and seeing it succeed. Let’s take a look. Just like iTunes handled this category in his 2005.