Pocket Casts is one of the first apps to use Google’s new location API – but will anyone else use its new feature?
I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love Pocket Casts. It’s got the best user interface and some awesome features, it gets quick updates whenever Google updates Android or adds a new API, and the changelogs are usually pretty hilarious. In fact, I noticed it just got an update in the Play Store today, with a new feature that takes advantage of Google’s new location API. It’s called Nearby, and it’s designed to quickly and easily share podcasts with coworkers, family, and friends.
To access the feature, simply open the app and navigate to the “Discover” screen, where you’ll tap the “Nearby” tab. Pocket Casts will ask your permission to turn this on first, letting you know that the app will use audio, Bluetooth, and WiFi to communicate with other nearby devices.
The only thing I find a bit unfortunate is that nearby users also have to have Pocket Casts open and viewing the same page as you before your podcast information will be shared. I’m the only person in my social circle who uses Pocket Casts (that I know of), so I would have liked to see this feature rolled out on a larger basis so that I could see perhaps what the most popular podcasts are in my neighborhood, my city, or even my state. But maybe that’s still coming – and this is still pretty cool. (Perhaps my beef is more with my friends than with the developers of Pocket Casts.)
There are some other updates in this later version of Pocket Casts, as well. Here’s the full changelog:
Have you ever wondered what podcasts the people around you listen to? Your friends? Classmates? Even those pesky co-workers of yours? Well wonder no more! Open the Discover section, tap on Nearby, get them to do the same and find out. Warning: may cause relationship breakups.
Fixes:
- Animation issues with the play/pause button in the mini player
- You can now download an episode that is streaming from the episode overflow menu
- Fixed issue with grid and missing artwork
- Download issues
You can get the latest version at the link below.
Download: Google Play
