Listen to podcasts - however, wherever

A podcast is a collection of audio files that anyone can listen to and subscribe to. You can decide when and where you want to hear the audio file. It is important that the audio files are integrated into an RSS feed. This feed contains all important additional information and is automatically updated as soon as a new episode or edition is published.

Most of the time, new episodes of a podcast appear at regular intervals. Some podcasts are built in series, so you start with the first episode and follow a story from beginning to end over several episodes. Just like a series on Netflix or Amazon Prime.

Weekly entertainment formats that do not follow a specific narrative, but mostly revolve around selected topics are very popular.

Podcasts are produced very differently. A podcast can, for example, be a recorded radio broadcast or a completely independent format with a permanent team or a podcast host and different guests.

The name podcast was derived from the well-known Apple MP3 player "iPod" and "Broadcast" - the English word for broadcast or transmission. The idea was that everyone could have their own broadcast for all iPods. The listeners could download the episodes on their iPod and listen to them at any time.

The variety of topics in podcasts is practically unlimited. There is at least one podcast anywhere in the world on any topic. The spectrum ranges from adventure, travel to science, from football and sport to unusual hobbies, love and sex, news and drunk conversations on philosophy and case law to the craziest facts from zoology. Since it is relatively easy to start a podcast, many people share their special interests or expertise in their own podcasts.

There are many formats that consciously rely on well-founded information, news or real stories. The American podcast “Serial” - a so-called true crime podcast - is an example of a podcast which, thanks to its exciting presentation, tells a true story and has even led to a new investigation in a criminal case. In that sense just as many podcasts focus on fun and literary imagination.

The special thing about podcasts is that hosts can devote themselves to a certain topic without any time pressure and on demand. Unlike radio, newspapers or television there is no time or word limit.

You can listen to podcasts anywhere. Depending on how you want to listen to it. For example, with a smartphone and the right app or simply via the browser of your computer.

You can either stream a podcast episode directly or download it in advance. The podcast download is particularly useful if you want to listen to podcasts in places with poor internet connection. For example on the way to work, by train or car.

At the beginning of the first podcast boom (2005 - 2007) it was absolutely necessary to download new episodes to one's own MP3 player because smartphones and mobile internet were not yet widespread at that time. Fortunately, it's different today.

You can also listen to podcasts very well on your computer. The easiest way to do this is to have a website with a large podcast directory and player, such as GetPodcast.com. Or you can install software that can play podcasts, i.e. the Spotify app for computers or the Apple podcast app.

The best way to listen to podcasts is with a podcast app on your smartphone. Here you can search for your favorite podcasts and easily listen to them.

Most apps also offer the option of subscribing to a podcast for free. You will then be notified as soon as a new episode is available for you.

To listen to a podcast you need an internet connection. Either to stream the episode directly or to download the episode via WiFi so that you can then listen to it offline.

The most popular podcast apps are Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, and GetPodcast.

The vast majority of podcasts are available for free. Many podcasts are funded through advertising or voluntary donations. There are also many formats offered by radio stations.

Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) in the USA is also a large provider of various podcasts. These podcasts are then financed through the broadcasting fee.

There are also exclusive podcasts often called Originals. Some are only available on certain platforms that you can only use with a paid subscription.

You should, of course, bear in mind that podcasts are downloaded over the Internet and accordingly fees may apply from the Internet provider or telephone provider. With widespread flat rate tariffs for Internet and mobile Internet and the possibility of downloading podcast episodes via WiFi, these worries are largely a thing of the past these days.

To find the right podcasts, a podcast directory with a comprehensive selection and a clear search function will help you.

If you know exactly which podcast you want to listen to, all you have to do is enter the name in the search of a podcast app or podcast website. Filter functions are particularly helpful, which you can refine the search results to specific languages, categories or publication date of the episodes.

If you don't know exactly what you want to hear, you can search for particular popular content on many platforms using categories or toplists.

The name podcast is derived from Apple's famous MP3 player “iPod” and the English word “broadcast”. The iPod was particularly popular in the early 2000s until the proliferation of smartphones. It was populated with music files and podcast episodes via the iTunes software.

“Broadcast” means something like transmission. The idea was that everyone could have their own broadcast in the form of an MP3 file for all iPods. The listeners could then download the individual episodes via iTunes and transfer them to their iPod.

Then as now, the individual episodes were organized in an RSS feed. This feed also contains the most important metadata for each podcast. If you subscribe to an RSS feed, you will be notified as soon as a new episode is available for you.

This principle, which was originally designed for MP3 players without their own Internet connection, is still the basis for updating and distributing podcasts today.

To be able to listen to your podcast without an internet connection you have to download the episode beforehand. Most popular podcast apps for iOS and Android, smartphones and tablets offer this function.

The GetPodcast app offers the practical function of automatically downloading new episodes of your favorite podcasts as soon as there is a WiFi connection.

You can download individual episodes with a podcast app for smartphones and tablets.

The most popular podcast apps include Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, and the GetPodcast app.

The GetPodcast app offers you the practical function of automatically downloading new episodes of selected podcasts when there is a WiFi connection.

And you can also automatically delete the episodes you have listened to, so that you save storage space on your smartphone.

The most important building blocks for a good podcast app are the largest possible database with podcast content, a clear search and practical features for managing your favorites.

Automatic downloads of new episodes and intelligent management of storage space on your smartphone make it even more convenient to use.

Appropriate editorial recommendations will help you discover new and exciting podcasts and episodes. If you listen to a lot of podcasts, features like faster playback are useful because you can listen to entire episodes in less time.

A little tip: If you want to learn new languages, it can be very helpful to play foreign language podcasts more slowly. GetPodcast offers you all these functions in a simple and free app.