Update resolves playback problems after syncing with iTunes, improved stability

May 19, 2014 09:52 GMT  ·  By

After updating its not-so-popular Podcasts app with improved episode browsing and Siri integration, Apple saw it necessary to increment that update and address some widely-reported complaints, such as playback freezing, crashes while downloading episodes, etc.

According to the release notes for Podcasts 2.1.1, “This update also resolves playback issues after syncing with iTunes and improves stability while downloading podcasts. Stability has also been improved when upgrading and when interacting with certain podcast episodes.”

A glance at the reviews up on iTunes will quickly tell you that things are really messed up when it comes to Podcasts for iOS, not just the new version but all versions since the company rolled out the software.

For what it’s worth, if you’re a fan of the application and haven’t yet updated to version 2.1, the new release offers a new Unplayed tab that lets you quickly find episodes you haven’t listened to, a Feed tab for browsing episodes that are available to download or stream, offline listening (by saving episodes), automatic deletion of episodes after you play them, and the ability to open links from podcasts in Safari, among other things.

Siri can now be used to play a podcast – simply tell the assistant the name of the episode and ask it to play it for you – and you also get CarPlay integration if you want to use the app with Apple’s infotainment system.