I'll tell you what the Google podcast service is and whether you need to wait for its release in Russia.
I love listening to podcasts. If anyone does not know, this is a kind of alternative to radio on the Internet, where one or several people are trying to convey some information to the listeners, but the broadcast is not broadcast live, but for recording. Podcasts are not limited to one topic: there are channels about politics, sports, technology, art, and so you can go on and on. I will say for sure – everyone can find something interesting for themselves.
Google Podcasts
But now I want to talk not about the podcasts themselves, but about the applications for listening to them. For several months I have been using Pocket Casts for this (it costs 149 rubles), before that there was a free Podcast O2 (I recommend). However, before buying Pocket Cast, I was waiting for the official release of Goolge Play podcasts in Russia. The service was launched in mid-April 2016 in the US and Canada.
Google never introduced its podcast service with us, so I decided to take a workaround and see how the service works and whether it was worth the wait at all.
Google Podcasts are a subsection of the Play Music service. But for his work, you do not have to pay a subscription. And this is a plus, anyone can try listening to podcasts for free or, if you use Play Music, you do not need to download a separate application. For the service to work with us, you need:
- Install a VPN service (like TunnelBear);
- Choose a server in the USA or Canada;
- Open the Play Music app;
- Go to settings and click 'update'.
After that, the 'podcasts' item will appear in the left menu in the application and the web version of Play Music. If it does not work, then try first to clear the application data in the settings. and then do the same without the 4th point. This method has one significant drawback – the main feed of the catalog does not work, new podcasts can be added only through a search by name.
Play Music podcasts use their own catalog. There are no many Russian-speaking channels in it, since the service works only in the USA and Canada. Now this cannot be called a big minus, I am sure that after the release in Russia the assortment will significantly expand.
It's worth noting that the podcast listening interface is no different from Google Play music, so some of the features from third-party clients are missing. For example, I do not have enough software to increase the volume of the sound, as in Pocket Casts, and adjust the playback speed. In addition, you cannot add podcasts from third-party sources – this is perhaps the main disadvantage. The only thing that can come in handy is the shutdown timer. Sometimes on the road I turn on a podcast and fall asleep to it, so the timer is useful for me. Some people need to synchronize the playback position between devices, but I only listen to podcasts from my smartphone.
Let's summarize
Google took a very long time to create its own podcast player. There are free and more functional alternatives. It seems to me that the service is useful only for those who use Play Music and have long wanted to get acquainted with podcasts – no need to download a separate application, choose the channel you are interested in and listen. But, again, the service still doesn't work in Russia. So if you still want to explore the world of podcasts, I recommend checking out our selection of free podcast clients.
I suggest sharing some interesting podcasts in the comments. A few recommendations from me: love technology – there is a Mobile-Review and a Digestif podskast, if in addition to gadgets you also love games / movies / TV shows, then you guys from Zavtracast, love listening to books – 'Reading' from Mayak radio, if you are interested in science – you should Big Beard Theory.
By the way, now Google Play Music gives 4 months of free subscription for new users. If you have long wanted to try out a streaming service for music, now is the time.
Thank you for attention!