Google launch Google Podcasts app

• Google have globally released their much-hyped Google Podcasts App for Android: the smartphone operating system has four times the users of iOS. This 100K app links to the podcast functionality already installed in almost all Android phones. Wired says it could turbocharge the industry; The Verge makes much of its personalised recommendations; VentureBeat goes into more detail; while GonnaGeek says it leaves a lot to be desired. (The app is not a fully-featured replacement for the likes of Pocket Casts.)
  • The release of the app also coincides with the launch of a tool to make direct links for your podcast - here is ours. We have published a full Google Podcasts FAQ for podcasters. We’ve added the official podcasts app user-agents into our list. We’ve also updated our article on how to get your podcast listed on Google Podcasts. (It is nothing to do with Google Play Music’s Podcasts.)
  • On Medium, Podnews editor James Cridland has published opinion on why he considers Google Podcasts is a big deal - and why there are no auto-downloads in the product, an apparent omission which has been noted by many.

Of note: this is a fully global release. The release images in Google Play’s Australian store are illustrated by popular Australian podcasts including those from the Australian ABC, Hamish and Andy, and SBS as well as popular US titles.

Action: If you run a podcast yourself, download the Google Podcasts button from here, and then ensure you’ve added your Google Podcasts direct link on your podcast’s website. We have. You want more listens, right?

• Google also announced that they are working with an independent global advisory board and industry experts to bring in more podcast creators from underrepresented backgrounds such as women, people of color, and people from other countries.

• Anchor have released its first podcast editing app for iPads. It’s free, and available now in the Apple App Store. It’s compatible with external (lightning) microphones, deals with multitasking and does drag and drop. The company calls it “the world’s first-ever end-to-end podcasting solution for iPad”.

• Magellan release the top brands advertising on podcasting in May (in the US): #3 RocketMortgage; #2 Squarespace; #1 ZipRecruiter.

• The Austin Film Festival is calling for entries for their Fiction Podcast Script category. Final deadline is July 6th.

• An interview on KJZZ with HotPod’s Nick Quah on Why podcasting is no longer just for public radio nerds.

• US radio broadcaster iHeartMedia has a new Vice President of Podcast Programming: Matty Staudt joins from iHeart in San Francisco, where he was Digital PD and launched over 30 podcasts. He’s previously worked for Stitcher.

  
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• Listicle: the top 10 funniest podcasts you might not be listening to yet

• A podcast we might recommend: Podcastification - “a fun look at podcasting, its challenges and triumphs, and the tech, tips & tricks, and news stories that impact the world of everyday podcasters like you and me.”

• In The Word from Mouth this week, Sharon Taylor from Omny Studio on how the future of podcasting depends on changing the conversation. Plus, an interview with Joe Shortridge of 222 Paranormal Podcast.

• HotPod 165 is out - Nick Quah covers French podcasting and the Reuters Institute News research; and some HR issues in large podcasting companies.

• At Podcast Movement? So are we: James Cridland will be moderating a session all about Audience Acquisition, and will otherwise be roaming the conference with laptop stickers and trying to get your friends to subscribe. You can save over $190 if you register today, after which we assume prices go up.