#Podcast App Development Company

[idiosys1]

Podcast App Development: Key Features, Challenges, and Proven Solutions

The podcast industry is booming. More people than ever are turning to audio content for news, entertainment, and learning. Whether on the go or at home, podcasts are now part of our daily lives.

This shift in content consumption has created a big opportunity for businesses and creators. A custom podcast app lets you connect directly with your audience. It gives you control over the user experience and brand identity.

But building a podcast app is not as easy as it sounds. Today’s listeners expect more than just play and pause. They want smooth design, smart suggestions, offline listening, and fast streaming.

That’s where podcast app development comes in. In this blog, we’ll explore the key features, major challenges, and practical solutions you need to know. Whether you’re starting from scratch or improving an existing app, this guide is for you.

Must-Have Features in Podcast App Development

•  Easy Onboarding and User Profiles

First impressions matter. Your app should allow quick signup through email or social media. Once logged in, users should have a personal profile. This profile stores their history, liked episodes, and saved shows.

This setup makes the app feel more personal. It also helps you offer tailored recommendations later on.

•  Smart Search and Recommendations

A podcast library can hold thousands of episodes. Users need help finding what they want. A strong search function is a must. It should let users search by title, genre, host, or keywords.

Add trending sections, curated lists, and recommendations based on past listens. These make your app more engaging.

A smart recommendation engine is what turns first-time users into loyal listeners. It’s a core part of quality podcast application development.

•  Offline Listening

Many users prefer to download episodes and listen later. Whether they’re flying, commuting, or saving data, offline access is a big deal.

Allow users to choose download quality and manage storage. Give them control, and they’ll keep coming back.

•  Playlist and Queue Management

Users love custom playlists. Let them create their own lists and queue up multiple episodes. Also include features like playback speed control, sleep timer, and resume-from-last-position.

These small features improve the listening experience in a big way.

•  Mini Player and Background Streaming

Your app should allow users to listen in the background. A floating mini player helps them control playback while browsing other parts of the app—or even other apps.

This keeps users listening longer, which improves engagement and retention.

•  Push Notifications and Alerts

Push notifications help users stay updated. Let them know when new episodes drop, a favorite show returns, or exclusive content becomes available.

But keep it smart—let users control how often they get notified. It shows that you respect their time.

•  Ratings, Comments, and Sharing

Allow users to rate shows and leave reviews. Let them share episodes on social media or messaging apps. This builds community and helps content spread organically.

These features are often overlooked in podcast app development services, but they add serious value.

Real Challenges in Podcast Application Development

•  Scaling with a Large Content Library

As your platform grows, so does your content. Without proper planning, managing a large library becomes slow and expensive.

Use cloud-based storage and scalable servers. Also, automate metadata tagging to keep things organized.

This is something every experienced podcast app development company understands well.

•  Monetization Confusion

Many creators struggle to choose a revenue model. Should the app be free? Should it run ads? Should you offer premium content?

Think about your audience and your content. Then choose a model—SVOD, AVOD, freemium, or donations—and build your app around it.

Platforms like Stripe and Razorpay make it easy to handle payments. Google Ad Manager or Patreon can support ad-based or fan-supported models.

•  RSS Feed and Syndication Integration

If you plan to pull in shows via RSS feeds, you’ll need to handle different formats. Not all feeds follow the same structure, and bad formatting can cause bugs.

A smart backend system and regular updates can solve this problem. Your app should fetch and display episodes smoothly.

•  Delivering Personalized Content

Modern users expect apps to “understand” them. That means smart recommendations, curated feeds, and personalized notifications.

This requires machine learning and real-time tracking. Tools like TensorFlow and Amazon Personalize can help build this.

But integration takes time and expertise—another reason to work with a skilled podcast app development company.

•  Multi-Device Compatibility

Your app needs to work on Android, iOS, web, and sometimes smart TVs or speakers. A cross-platform approach ensures a smooth experience on every device.

Using Flutter or React Native can help build a consistent look and feel without doubling development time.

This is something companies like Idiosys Tech, a top mobile app development company in Kolkata, handle with care.

•  Legal Compliance and Security

You’ll be dealing with copyrighted content and user data. Your app must follow laws like GDPR or CCPA. You should also encrypt audio streams and use secure login systems.

DRM, SSL, and two-factor authentication are key elements to include.

Solutions That Work for Podcast Application Development

•  Build on a Strong Tech Stack

Start with a tech stack that can scale. For frontend, use React Native or Flutter. For backend, Node.js and Python are reliable. For storage, go with AWS or Google Cloud.

Use a global CDN to reduce latency and offer smooth streaming across regions.

This stack keeps your app fast, secure, and ready for growth.

•  Add Analytics and Listener Insights

Track what users like, what they skip, and how often they return. Use Firebase, Mixpanel, or Amplitude to collect data.

Use this information to improve your app—both in content and design.

Any expert offering podcast app development services will emphasize the importance of analytics.

•  Integrate Monetization Early

Add your monetization tools early in development. This saves time later and avoids awkward workarounds.

If you plan to offer subscriptions, think about free trials, monthly vs yearly pricing, and renewal logic. If you plan to run ads, think about targeting, frequency, and relevance.

•  Offer Localization and Language Support

If your audience is global or regional, offer multi-language support. It’s not just about translation—it’s about making users feel at home.

Language filters and regional content feeds are a great way to serve diverse audiences.

Why Choose Idiosys Tech for Podcast Application Development?

We are a leading mobile app development company in Kolkata. We’ve helped creators, startups, and media companies launch powerful podcast apps from scratch.

We specialize in podcast application development, combining smart tech with a user-first approach. Our services cover everything—UI/UX, cloud setup, backend development, analytics, and post-launch support.

We don’t just write code. We build platforms that work for users and scale for businesses.

Conclusion: Build a Podcast App That People Love

Podcasting is growing—and so is the competition. If you want to stand out, your app must be fast, friendly, and feature-rich. The right features, strong infrastructure, and clean design will help you win and retain listeners.

Plan for growth. Solve real user problems. And work with a team that understands the space.

Whether you're a podcaster, a content brand, or an audio startup—Idiosys Tech is here to help. As a trusted podcast app development company, we build apps that sound good and work even better.

Let’s bring your podcast app to life—with quality, speed, and heart.

——————————————————————————————————

 What platforms should I support—iOS, Android, or both?

Supporting both platforms is ideal for maximum reach. Using cross-platform tools like Flutter or React Native can reduce costs.

What are the key features of a successful podcast app?

Essential features include smart search, offline downloads, custom playlists, background playback, user profiles, and personalized recommendations.

Is it necessary to include a recommendation engine?

While not mandatory, AI-based recommendations improve user engagement and help listeners discover more relevant content.

Should I build a custom app or use a white-label solution?

A custom app offers more flexibility and brand control. White-label apps are quicker but often limited in features and customization.

————————————————————————

You May Also Read

Behind the Mic: The Journey of Creating an Audiobook App

How to Develop Podcast App? Type & Features You Need to Keep for Success

[christyrdiaz]

In the growing world of digital media, podcasts have emerged as a powerful and engaging form of content. Live podcast streaming software is crucial in delivering content to a global audience. 

Podcast streaming software refers to the technology that allows the distribution and consumption of podcasts over the Internet. It facilitates the seamless streaming or downloading of audio content, allowing users to explore various topics, genres, and creators. 

[some-triangles]

This is the order of events as nearly as I can reconstruct them.

In 2008 I start following a webcomic called Problem Sleuth.

In 2009 Problem Sleuth wraps up. The author, Andrew Hussie, begins work on 🤡's next project, a mixed media piece called Homestuck.

In 2010 I become an evangelist for Homestuck. I spread the word to my college friend Stephen. He joins an online Homestuck RP group. I move to New York. That fall, Stephen visits me and introduces me to a guy from the group named Josh, who plays Rose. I am immediately infatuated.

In 2011 Stephen starts development on a real life Pesterchum app. I organize a Homestuck group cosplay and we go to Anime Central with our whole college anime club dressed up as trolls. I sit in a field with 50 Daves. I write my first Homestuck fanfiction, which is also my first anything fanfiction. Josh moves into my apartment. Stephen is dating a pair of bisexual cosplayers. Act 5 concludes. It is Peak Homestuck.

In 2012 my girlfriend tells me that I am no longer allowed to talk about Homestuck with her. The What Pumpkin organization - Homestuck is too big to be one person's project anymore - launches a kickstarter for a Homestuck video game, which raises 2.5 million dollars. At the same time, it is becoming clear that something is wrong with Homestuck itself. The author is fed up with the project but is now financially bound to it. The content becomes increasingly mean-spirited and critical of its audience as What Pumpkin tries to turn itself into a game company.

In 2013 What Pumpkin loses a significant chunk of its Kickstarter money - how much we'll never know - through a comical series of development boondoggles. Stephen launches a Kickstarter to fund an expansion of the Pesterchum app - now the haunt of a large online community - and What Pumpkin shuts it down. Josh no longer reads Homestuck but we're still living together and we start a podcast.

In 2014 Homestuck is mostly on hiatus. When it returns I start this blog, which was originally called "Two Triangles," after Dirk's shades. Most of the old crew have stopped caring about Homestuck but I am a die-hard. I write more fanfiction, mostly lesbian fluff. I begin to meet new people who are still invested in the whole thing. This and the podcast become the core of my new social world. Homestuck itself is getting more and more chaotic and diffuse but I still believe Andrew can tie it all together.

In 2015 I break. I write a fanfic called "Theatre of Coolty," which is my Dear John letter to Andrew Hussie. (I kill him in the story, which is par for the course.) It becomes the most popular thing I have ever made, and is most likely the most popular thing I ever will make. It is translated into multiple languages. A person called Naked Bee (who becomes another dear friend) turns it into a short film with puppets. I have grown to hate Homestuck but it is now my primary source of external validation and the foundation of my social media presence.

In 2016 Homestuck ends. The last year of its existence is an extraordinary act of creative self-erasure. Hussie vanishes by degrees, and by the time the finale rolls out no trace of 🤡's writing or art is left in the product. It is an abnegation worthy of Prospero. To complete this act of conceptual self-destruction, 🤡 ends up selling the entire product to Viz, who let it corrode. (Nine years later, homestuck.com is a dead link, mspaintadventures an abandoned swamp of broken pngs.) Meanwhile, I provide the narration for Bee's audio adaptation of a novel-length Homestuck fanfiction called Detective Pony, which she later turns into a feature film. The author of the fic/novel goes on to Kickstart a dating sim based on the 2016 Republican primary, which he calls Grand Old Academy. It has yet to be published.

In 2017 I leave New York. My friendship with Josh deteriorates and our podcast ends. I am no longer a Homestuck fan. As such I rebrand - the number of triangles I am is no longer anyone's business.

--

In 2021, Andrew Hussie releases a visual novel called Psycholonials. I do not read it.

--

In 2025, I am back in New York, albeit not in the city. I'm married to someone I met through this blog. Most of my closest friends are people I met either through Homestuck or through the projects that came out of it. Even my college friends - the ones I still talk to - are the ones who went through the wars with me. My wife thinks Psycholonials is worth reading. One night we sit down and play through it together.

Psycholonials is a nasty, nihilistic little story about a fucking idiot who accidentally creates a movement and then runs away like a bitch when it gets to be too much, back into the bosom of 🤡's trust fund. It's also really good. It has all the things I loved about Homestuck, all the stuff I missed as 🤡 left it to rot. It demonstrates that 🤡 is not washed, that the failure of Homestuck was not because 🤡 lost the juice. 🤡 abandoned us on purpose. 🤡 chose 🤡 over us.

This was objectively the correct decision. And when you come right down to it, 🤡 never signed up to change my life. It just happened.

Still, I can't say that it doesn't hurt a little, sitting here in my 40s. I guess everyone follows at least one failed messiah. So, yet another farewell to the cool big brother I never had. I hope this is the last one.

[adbros]

30 ways to make real; money from home

Making money online from the comfort of your home has become increasingly accessible with the growth of the internet and digital technologies. In 2023, there are numerous realistic ways to earn money online. Here are 30 ideas to get you started:

1. Freelance Writing: Offer your writing skills on platforms like Upwork or Freelancer to create blog posts, articles, or website content.

2. Content Creation: Start a YouTube channel, podcast, or blog to share your expertise or passion and monetize through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.

3. Online Surveys and Market Research: Participate in online surveys and market research studies with platforms like Swagbucks or Survey Junkie.

4. Remote Customer Service: Work as a remote customer service representative for companies like Amazon or Apple.

5. Online Tutoring: Teach subjects you're knowledgeable in on platforms like VIPKid or Chegg Tutors.

6. E-commerce: Start an online store using platforms like Shopify, Etsy, or eBay to sell products.

7. Affiliate Marketing: Promote products or services on your blog or social media and earn commissions for sales made through your referral links.

8. Online Courses: Create and sell online courses on platforms like Udemy or Teachable.

9. Remote Data Entry: Find remote data entry jobs on websites like Clickworker or Remote.co.

10. Virtual Assistance: Offer administrative support services to businesses as a virtual assistant.

11. Graphic Design: Use your graphic design skills to create logos, graphics, or websites for clients on platforms like Fiverr.

12. Stock Photography: Sell your photos on stock photography websites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock.

13. App Development: Develop and sell mobile apps or offer app development services.

14. Social Media Management: Manage social media accounts for businesses looking to enhance their online presence.

15. Dropshipping: Start an e-commerce business without holding inventory by dropshipping products.

16. Online Consultations: Offer consulting services in your area of expertise through video calls.

17. Online Surplus Sales: Sell unused items or collectibles on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

18. Online Fitness Coaching: Become an online fitness coach and offer workout plans and guidance.

19. Virtual Events: Host webinars, workshops, or conferences on topics you're knowledgeable about.

20. Podcast Production: Offer podcast editing, production, or consulting services.

21. Remote Transcription: Transcribe audio and video files for clients.

22. Online Translation: Offer translation services if you're proficient in multiple languages.

23. Affiliate Blogging: Create a niche blog with affiliate marketing as the primary revenue source.

24. Online Art Sales: Sell your artwork, crafts, or digital art on platforms like Etsy or Redbubble.

25. Remote Bookkeeping: Offer bookkeeping services for small businesses from home.

26. Digital Marketing: Provide digital marketing services like SEO, PPC, or social media management.

27. Online Gaming: Stream your gaming sessions on platforms like Twitch and monetize through ads and donations.

28. Virtual Assistant Coaching: If you have experience as a VA, offer coaching services to aspiring virtual assistants.

29. Online Research: Conduct research for businesses or individuals in need of specific information.

30. Online Real Estate: Invest in virtual real estate, such as domain names or digital properties, and sell them for a profit.

Remember that success in making money online often requires dedication, patience, and the ability to adapt to changing trends. It's essential to research and choose the opportunities that align with your skills, interests, and long-term goals.

[ezonebusinesssetupdubai]

Top Online Business Ideas to Consider in 2025

Dubai's dynamic business environment offers numerous online opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. Here are some of the top online business ideas to consider in 2025:

E-commerce Store: Launch an online platform to sell products directly to consumers. With the UAE's e-commerce market projected to reach $9.2 billion by 2026, there's significant potential here. Focus on a specific niche, obtain the necessary e-commerce license, and develop a user-friendly website. Partnering with reliable delivery services and implementing effective marketing strategies will be crucial.

Dropshipping Business: Manage an online store without holding inventory. When a customer makes a purchase, the order is forwarded to a supplier who ships the product directly to the customer. This model reduces upfront costs and is gaining popularity globally.

Digital Marketing Agency: Offer services like social media management, SEO, and content creation to help businesses enhance their online presence. As companies increasingly recognize the importance of digital marketing, there's a growing demand for such expertise.

Online Education and Tutoring: Provide virtual classes or tutoring sessions in subjects you're knowledgeable about. The rise of online learning platforms has made education more accessible, and there's a consistent demand for quality instructors.

Content Creation and Blogging: Create engaging content through blogs, videos, or podcasts. Monetize your content via advertising, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing. Building a loyal audience can lead to significant revenue opportunities.

Affiliate Marketing: Promote products or services from other companies and earn a commission for each sale made through your referral. This model is cost-effective and can be lucrative with the right strategy.

App Development: Develop mobile or web applications to meet specific user needs. With the increasing reliance on digital solutions, innovative apps can gain rapid popularity.

Virtual Assistant Services: Offer administrative support to businesses or individuals remotely. Tasks can range from managing emails to scheduling appointments, providing flexibility for both parties.

Online Consulting: Leverage your expertise in a particular field to offer consulting services online. Whether it's business strategy, health, or finance, many are willing to pay for professional advice.

Graphic Design Services: Provide design solutions for logos, marketing materials, or websites. As businesses aim to stand out visually, skilled graphic designers are in high demand.

Social Media Influencer: Build a strong presence on platforms like Instagram or YouTube. With a substantial following, you can collaborate with brands for promotions and sponsorships.

Online Fitness Coaching: Offer virtual fitness classes or personalized training plans. The health and wellness industry continues to thrive, and many prefer the convenience of online sessions.

Stock Photography: Capture high-quality images and sell them on stock photography websites. Businesses and creators constantly seek quality visuals for their projects.

Handmade Crafts Online Store: Sell handmade items like jewelry, art, or home decor through an online platform. There's a market for unique, handcrafted products that can't be found in mass production.

Subscription Box Service: Curate and deliver boxes of niche products to subscribers regularly. This model has gained traction in various industries, from beauty products to gourmet foods.

Language Translation Services: Provide translation services for documents, websites, or media content. In a globalized world, effective communication across languages is essential.

Online Travel Agency: Assist clients in planning and booking their travel experiences. With the resurgence of travel, personalized planning services are valuable.

Virtual Event Planning: Organize and manage online events, from webinars to virtual conferences. As virtual events become more common, skilled planners are needed to ensure their success.

Print on Demand: Design custom apparel or merchandise and partner with suppliers who print and ship items as orders come in. This reduces the need for inventory and allows for creative flexibility.

Online Real Estate Brokerage: Facilitate property transactions through a digital platform. With the real estate market's evolution, online brokerages offer convenience to buyers and sellers.

Embarking on an online business in Dubai offers numerous advantages, including a strategic location, supportive government policies, and a tech-savvy population.

By selecting the right niche and implementing effective strategies, you can build a successful venture in this thriving market.

[etherealys]

⠀⠀ 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐎𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐄⠀'𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐃𝐘'⠀𝐋𝐈𝐌-𝐁𝐎𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐍

⠀⠀from⠀ashes⠀to⠀ashes⠀,⠀dust⠀to⠀dust⠀⠀—

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀we⠀are⠀nothing⠀but⠀,⠀and⠀dust⠀shall⠀we⠀return⠀.

⠀⠀ ANALYSIS.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀DOSSIER.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀VISUALS.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀CONNECTIONS.⠀

(  mark  lee  .  non-binary  .  they/them  )        —        blasting  feel  anything  by  vaultboy  down  main  street  we’ve  spotted  theodore  'teddy'  lim-bodden  sporting  their  broken  pocket  watch  in  front  of  their  jeans.  the  four  hundred  (25)  year  old  agathion  who’s  been  in  town  for  fifteen  years  often  can  be  seen  sewing  their  own  clothes  back  together,  walking  their  dog,  visiting  the  observatory,  or  working  as  an  owner  at  second  chances.  people  say  they  display  generous  and  skeptical  traits,  but  we  rather  trust  their  vibes:  the  echo  of  an  empty  theatre,  unruly  bedhair  from  sleeping  through  5  alarms,  listening  to  music  while  you're  stuck  in  traffic,  an  abandoned  feeling  that  just  won't  go  away.  also,  we’ve  heard  they  love  white  cheddar  popcorn  !

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⋆⠀˙⠀⟡⠀⠀𝑇𝐻𝐸⠀𝐵𝐴𝑆𝐼𝐶𝑆

full⠀name:⠀theodore⠀jun⠀lim-bodden

nickname(s):⠀teddy,⠀ted,⠀dory,⠀theo

age:⠀twenty-five⠀(physically)⠀;⠀four⠀hundred⠀(mentally)

date⠀of⠀birth:⠀october⠀13th

western⠀zodiac⠀sign:⠀libra

orientation:⠀pansexual⠀&⠀demiromantic

occupation:⠀owner⠀of⠀second⠀chances

language(s)⠀spoken:⠀english,⠀korean,⠀spanish⠀&⠀mandarin

hair⠀color:⠀dark⠀brown,⠀almost⠀black��(natural)⠀strawberry⠀blond⠀(current)

eye⠀color:⠀one⠀brown,⠀one⠀grey

piercings:⠀triple⠀lobe⠀piercings⠀(both⠀ears),⠀double⠀helix,��tragus,⠀conch⠀ (right⠀ear),⠀industrial⠀(left⠀ear),⠀navel,⠀eyebrow,⠀vertical⠀labret,⠀nose⠀stud

inspirations:⠀howl pendragon (howl's moving castle), aang (atla), mabel pines (gravity falls), jo march (little women), emily (hazbin hotel)

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⋆⠀˙⠀⟡⠀⠀𝐵𝐴𝐶𝐾𝐺𝑅𝑂𝑈𝑁𝐷

( tw: mentions of death , abandonment ) born and cared for (partly) in seoul during the joseon dynasty by their father (demon) after their mother's passing (angel) , teddy (known then as jun) was caught in the middle of an all out war between royal families . they didn't come from money , nor could their father support a child in a time of crisis , and thus was left in the care of the later jin's ruler , hong taiji . for years thereafter , teddy was raised by and as royalty , their then adoptive parents truly believing they were a miracle from god himself after years of trying for a baby . teddy was all but , their powers developing in secret , and yet still stayed until the qing invasion of joseon , where they fled along with everyone else , straying from the group and ending up in tsushima island , a japanese territory . there they met the kindest farmer , a well-meaning man who took care of them . teddy had no idea of their true origin , only that it stripped them of their mortality and forced to watch their first love die while they stayed young , perpetually twenty-five in the eyes of onlookers . from then until now , they've crossed countless seas , been to all six livable continents still with no answers . until they found portum , three centuries later , after adopting different and new identities from their journey around the world , is now and forevermore known as theodore jun lim-bodden .

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⋆⠀˙⠀⟡⠀⠀𝐻𝐸𝐴𝐷𝐶𝐴𝑁𝑂𝑁𝑆

helped to create a jewelry brand (bulgari) with a friend while they were in italy under the guise of making it afforable for the common man . until 1966 , when the company passed down to his son .

conversational in many languages such as japanese , italian , portuguese , and russian . they use apps and podcasts to upkeep their fluency .

lived in syracuse , new york for many years , operating and organizing the syracuse jazz festival prior to moving to portum .

spent a few decades in school during the early 1800s , more identities taking shape , absorbing knowledge like a sponge . they eventually earned degrees in law , philosophy , linguistics and history . one of the first people to attend king's college in london .

[mariacallous]

Apple has a Spotify problem—and it just cost the iPhone maker a $2 billion fine from the European Commission.

For years, the two companies have been at war as the streaming service lured users away from Apple’s iTunes and accused the tech giant of exploiting its dominance to stifle innovation. In their long-running conflict, each has made incursions into the other’s territory. When Apple launched its own streaming service, Apple Music, in 2015, Spotify claimed Apple was able to undercut the platform’s prices because Apple didn’t have to pay the same App Store fees as rivals. In 2019, Spotify began an ambitious podcast spending spree, splashing out on high-profile shows, in another direct challenge to Apple.

The feud’s early days were civil, with few barbs traded in public. “We worry about the humanity being drained out of music,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in 2018, a cryptic comment widely interpreted as a jibe at Spotify’s heavy use of algorithmic recommendations. But Spotify became more outspoken as EU politicians started to call for laws to reign in Big Tech. The €1.8 billion ($1.9 billion) fine on Apple announced by the European Commission today shows that its tactics are working. The fine originates in a legal complaint filed with the European Commission by Spotify in 2019, challenging the restrictions and fees Apple places on developers listing their apps in the App Store. Today the European Commission agreed, saying that Apple’s App Store restrictions amount to unfair trading conditions that may have led iOS users to pay significantly higher prices for music streaming subscriptions.

“For a decade, Apple abused its dominant position in the market for the distribution of music streaming apps through the App Store,” said Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s competition chief, in a statement. “They did so by restricting developers from informing consumers about alternative, cheaper music services available outside of the Apple ecosystem.”

Apple’s App Store rules restrict music streaming companies and other apps from informing their users on Apple devices about how to upgrade or sign up for subscription offers outside of the app. Instead, app users can only see sign-up options for in-app subscriptions via Apple’s payments system, where prices are likely to be higher because Apple takes a cut. Some app makers, including Spotify, do not offer in-app purchases because they don’t want to pay this commission. "Some consumers may have paid more because they were unaware they could pay less if they subscribed outside the app,” Vestager said. “This is illegal under EU antitrust rules.” Apple, which says the EU has failed to provide credible evidence of consumer harm, has pledged to appeal.

Big Number

The fine is far bigger than expected, prompting Apple’s stock to drop 3 percent on Monday. Media reports based on unnamed sources had predicted a penalty of around €500 million. It’s also one of the biggest fines the EU has ever issued against a tech company, ranking below only two Google fines of $5.1 billion and $2.4 billion. Vestager explained in a press conference that the scale of the fine is intended to prevent the company from breaking rules in the future. She added that the amount includes a “lump sum” to “achieve deterrence.” $1.9 billion amounts to 0.5 percent of Apple’s global turnover, she said.

Although Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has expressed disapproval of Apple’s business tactics, he’s also something of a reluctant figurehead in Europe’s fight against Apple. The self-described introvert has adopted the role of spokesperson for disgruntled European app developers who finally feel their complaints about Big Tech are being heard.

On Monday, Ek posted a video on X in which he described Apple as a threat to the open internet. “Apple has decided that they want to close down the internet and make it theirs, and they view every single person using an iPhone to be their user and that they should be able to dictate what that user experience should be,” he said. Ek also claimed Apple wants to effectively levy a tax on Spotify while exempting its own music service, Apple Music.

Apple hit back at Spotify in a statement posted to its website. The company pushed back on the idea that Spotify had suffered as a result of its policies, instead describing the platform as an App Store success story, pointing out that Spotify’s app has been downloaded, redownloaded, or updated more than 119 billion times onto Apple phones.

“We’ve even flown our engineers to Stockholm to help Spotify’s teams in person,” Apple’s statement said. For all that, Apple says, Spotify pays them nothing. “But free isn’t enough for Spotify,” the statement continues. “They also want to rewrite the rules of the App Store—in a way that advantages them even more.”

Spotify is one of the few European consumer tech companies with a significant global business, so people in the continent’s tech community listen when it speaks out. Spotify’s latest criticisms are spurring more European developers to complain about what they consider to be unfair treatment by the tech giant—putting the European Commission under even more pressure to act. “Apple holds app providers ransom like the Mafia,” Matthias Pfau, CEO and cofounder of Tuta, an encrypted email provider based in Germany, told WIRED last month, echoing frustrations also voiced by US app developers such as Epic Games.

For Apple, Spotify’s success today is potentially an omen of future action from the EU. This week marks the deadline for compliance with Europe’s Digital Markets Act, a new antitrust law designed to prevent the internet from coming under the control of only a handful of big—usually American—platforms. The new law gives Europe the power to fine tech companies up to 20 percent of their global turnover, meaning future fines could make dwarf $2 billion levied on Apple today.

“This is the commission saying, ‘We're going to be tough, particularly on Apple,’” says Max von Thun, Europe director of the Open Markets Institute, of the decision today. “I see this as kind of small compared to what's to come.”

[thebuildblog]

this is amazing.

A major tech business media outlet's lead article in its email newsletter was about how "people don't want to pay for content," and that this is "upending the decades-old model" in Hollywood.

It is 2024. The tech business still doesn't know or understand media business, continues to refer to it as "content," and continues to try to lead and talk about it when it has no experience or understanding of it.

Here is the reality of the media business: Some media is premium, that gives the audience access or information the audience can't get itself, because it costs money to do so. The media outlet pays this cost for the access/information itself, then shares it for a fraction of the cost with the audience, which is the consumer. This model works when access/information is harder to get and more in demand. It is very basic business basic here.

Now, some media is not premium. This is less expensive, easier to get access to, and is not as in demand. This is the free and low-cost media. In the media business, which is not new and is actually older, much larger and much more powerful than tech industry even today, it would be things like local media and public broadcasting.

Many media outlets over time (centuries) have offered a combination of these two models, which is called a hybrid model. This is what the tech industry calls, "freemium," but it isn't new to media business.

"Media," for reference is, broadcast/cable television, print/digital media (newspapers, magazines, blogs, online media), and traditional/digital radio (aka, podcast). "Content" is what software developers refer the information/images, etc. that goes onto the software they create. Websites and apps are software.

The media and content business are two separate, different things, with different, separate business models, mechanisms, truisms, customers, etc. They aren't able to be considered the same, given this. The same applies with the software business, including internet.

The above two models - premium and not premium - are a second business basic that has existed since the dawn of the media business, now centuries ago, entirely driven by media business' customers, consumers, who understand that things that cost money to make aren't free. The tech business insists/has insisted otherwise for more than a decade, because the tech business only knows the software business model, which is not at all like the media -- or even the content -- business model. It should not be attempted to try to force these two totally different models into one, just because it might involve technology or the internet.

The internet is an infrastructure, not a website, app, etc. It (the internet) was not created by the tech business, but the telecom business and the U.S. government, as an information distribution and communications platform, with commerce functionality. The tech business is in the picture because it created/creates the software that sits on the internet and the devices that enable access to the internet, because it is software and devices is the tech industry's business/business model.

Given all of this, there won't be any "disruption" and "demise" of the media business, because it and its parent companies, etc., own far, far more in the world than tech business, and this hasn't and won't change for many reasons, most of which is companies that own media outlets also own the infrastructure which is telecom not tech.

The tech industry doesn't recognize that everything besides itself isn't a "dinosaur," especially media business. Media business is much more like a tardigrade, which has survived all centuries, mass destructions, and extinctions to date, for over 500 years. Media business is not content, content is new, only since the advent of the software/tech business, including the internet (roughly 75 years).

Tech/business may not understand this, but it doesn't change that it's a basic media, tech and content business/industry truism. Anything that says otherwise is a skip.

[vague-humanoid]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/01/24/gaza-israel-activism-online/

The tools also generate AI-written suggested responses to posts online, allowing users to flood the comments of pro-Palestinian posts with pro-Israel messaging.

Experts who study communication online say the widespread use of such tools influences the online discussion of the war and is ushering in a new era of citizen-led propaganda campaigns. But the use of the tools does not appear to violate platform rules against what’s known as “coordinated inauthentic behavior,” or posts that appear to come from unrelated individuals but are really the result of an organized effort, often through automated accounts.

“Working in an orchestrated fashion can be violative, but it quickly becomes a gray area, and that’s why these apps exist,” said Nora Benavidez, senior counsel and director of digital justice and civil rights at Free Press, a nonpartisan organization that lists its goals as protecting free expression and civil liberties.

Researchers say it is difficult to determine which comments have been generated by such tools because there’s no way to publicly track a user’s private activity across multiple apps. Social media companies would have to come up with ways to detect their use, which is challenging because the apps operate on their own platforms, not those of the social media companies. If the apps were automatically posting, they would likely violate rules against inauthentic activity. But third-party apps that simply encourage legitimate users to report posts escape that sanction.

There’s also no way to know with precision that actions taken against someone’s account or posts are in response to activity from these apps. Anecdotally, some users report that after their Instagram and TikTok posts were mentioned on the apps, the posts were either removed or heavily downranked, making them less accessible to a large audience.

Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, did not respond to a request for comment. TikTok also did not respond to requests for comment.

“I’ve had many posts taken down, I’d say upwards of 15 to 20 posts removed,” said Nys, a content creator who posts on TikTok under the handle @palestinianpr1ncess and spoke on the condition that she be referred to by first name only because she’s worried about repercussions when traveling to the West Bank. Nys said that each of her posts that has been surfaced on one of the apps has received a flood of pro-Israel, seemingly AI-generated comments. The post is also usually removed after many users report it for bullying or hate speech. “I’m not using hate speech,” Nys said. “I’m just doing commentary on everything happening in Palestine.”

Laura Chung, a content creator and podcaster, said that she believes a mass reporting campaign facilitated by one of the apps is what led to her TikTok account being removed in December. “I was creating pro-Palestine content for education purposes and I was going massively viral,” she said. “I believe it’s these apps that got me banned on TikTok.”

Joan Donovan, a noted disinformation expert who is an assistant professor of journalism at Boston University, said the apps are a new development in the propaganda battle being waged on the internet over Israel’s offensive in Gaza and that social media companies need to find ways to monitor their use.

“Social media is a terrain of warfare, not just for cyber troops, but also for citizen battalions armed with AI-enhanced bots and the ability to generate endless unique posts that evade current content moderation tools,” she said. “It is incumbent on tech companies to defend against such abuses.”

“This level of organization only exists on one side of the conflict,” said Emerson T. Brooking, a former cyber policy adviser to the Defense Department who studies disinformation and propaganda campaigns as a resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab. “It exists for pro-Israel voices, and it exists because there are government ministries in Israel that support these tools and encourage their use.”

Brooking and other experts said they aren’t aware of any similar tools for Palestinian supporters.

@el-shab-hussein

[idiosys1]

Need A podcast Mobile App?

We are experts in custom mobile app development, offering services from consultation and design to full development, implementation, and maintenance. To learn about our completed projects, visit our success stories page. Feel free to call or contact us to discuss your project in detail.

[flutteragency]

How to Build a Podcast App Like Stitcher?

You must have watched reels of many big influencers or celebrities giving their views in a podcast. Podcast apps are a huge trend today because of the high-quality material for the users and the way they are seasoned with silliness and fun. People prefer to listen to podcasts, and it takes much less time and effort. Unlike blog posts or videos, you can listen to podcasts even on the move. That’s why the development of podcast apps is growing rapidly.

In this article, we will go through various aspects of Podcast app development and understand how to develop a podcast app like Stitcher. Let’s begin with the basics.

What is a podcast app?

The podcast app has been derived from the amalgamation of two words: “iPod” and “broadcasts.” Today, podcasts are extremely popular in the form of audio entertainment and are making huge progress in downloadable radio shows.

Unlike traditional content production methods such as TV and radio shows, podcasts provide an easy approach for content providers to connect with an audience. They aren’t even now regulated; therefore, you don’t need a broadcasting license to create podcast content. A podcast app has all the features to create a podcast, and users can access the podcast on their mobile devices. Some of the popular podcast apps are Google Podcasts, Castro, DoggCatcher, etc.

What are the different types of podcast apps?

You should first know the different types of podcast apps before jumping to partnering with any mobile app development company in USA. It is a massive business, and thus, many avenues are open to you for telling tales through sound. Here are the major types of Podcasts applications:

1. Interviews and panel discussions podcast apps

As the name indicates, these podcast apps are designed for conversational formats like interviews and roundtable discussions. Generally, there is an anchor who drives the conversation and interviews a single or multiple guests at once.

2. Repurposed content podcast apps

Podcasts offer content creators a simple way to engage with an audience, in contrast to more conventional content production techniques like radio and television programs. Since they aren’t even currently subject to regulations, producing podcast content doesn’t require a broadcasting license.

3. Storytelling podcast apps

These podcasts have a huge fan following who like to listen to stories or tales that motivate or inspire them. The podcasts for storytelling can be based on true or made-up events. These are interesting as they captivate and hold the audience for a very short duration. They are, nevertheless, a bit difficult to master.

Many journalists and the media public prefer to listen to these podcasts to get the inside scoop on various topics and breaking events. Both factual and fictitious stories may be shared using storytelling art.

4. Hybrid podcast apps

In the hybrid podcasts, the present or anchor is the same for the whole podcast. Every episode, though, features a fresh and fascinating guest.

These podcasts are frequently used to record discussions, such as panels or interviews. The host gives introductory remarks or monologues before conducting in-depth interviews with the featured guest of the evening in each episode.

Why develop a podcast app?

The major reason people prefer podcasts is the way they deliver the content. Podcasts are easily accessible, and they provide the required information in a comparatively shorter format. Here are the major benefits of the podcast app:

1. Serves as a marketing channel

It is possible to advertise your company offerings or services through a podcast app. You can use the app to introduce your business and provide information about the features of the platform.

2. Build a community with minimal effort

Suppose you want to build a podcast app dedicated to a niche interest group. You should be aware that there is a central theme in a podcast that attracts a dedicated audience.

3. Win the audience’s loyalty

You can win over listeners if you have a consistently charismatic presenter. In this way, the audience may want more of a presenter in a particular style, tone, voice, etc. It is essential to keep an eye on the material if you want to develop a community for podcasters and earn their confidence.

4. Attract large audience

You can reach a wide audience with a podcast app. The reason is its accessibility. It is a savior for people who don’t have time to go through huge resources or comprehend visual material. In those cases, audio format is a great alternative.

If you are looking forward to monetizing on the trend and want to build a podcast application, then you can pick the best mobile application development team for you project and see the innovation and creativity on screen.

Also Read: How to Build a Cost-Effective OTT App Like Hulu?

What are must-have features for Podcast mobile apps?

After knowing the importance of a podcast application, you must be wondering what features you should implement to make it successful. Here are the major features that you must consider for podcast mobile app development:

1. Sign up and register

The users should be able to register and create an account on the mobile app. They can use an email ID/contact number or also a social media login.

2. User profile

There will be a profile dashboard for users on which they can see their playlists and listener data. In addition, users can submit their information and preferences to receive more tailored suggestions from the app.

3. Create and edit a podcast

It is an essential feature for those who work directly in audio production. If you want to reach this demographic with the podcast app, you have to provide users with the option to record and edit the audio.

4. Search

Search is an essential feature of any app. It is the first element by which users start interacting with your app. The users should be able to find their favorite artists or content creators on the app using the search function.

5. Media Player

Without a streaming media player, there won’t be any app that could play audio. Users will have no trouble skipping between songs if you activate this function.

6. Real-Time analytics

Real-time analytics help you evaluate critical app data and make better choices about the app’s future development.

Looking To Build Your Podcast App?

Get in touch with our experts today to start your project!

Let's Discuss

Wrapping up

We have gone through various aspects of how to develop a podcast app. A podcast app business is having an attractive future. You can hire flutter developers who have vast experience in cross-platform app development with similar features and functionalities.

Share your business idea and vision with us and we can help you with an amazing application that aligns with your business objective!

[wolfliving]

Another Alexa

Hello and welcome to Eye on AI. 

Before ChatGPT could talk, there was Alexa. The decade-old Amazon voice assistant, however, never fully delivered on its potential and was useful for little more than setting a kitchen timer or telling you the weather. 

But now with the full force of generative AI at its disposal, Amazon is looking toward Alexa’s second act. Sometime this year, the company plans to launch an overhauled, “more conversational” version of Alexa, sources told CNBC. Along with new and improved generative AI-powered capabilities, Amazon also plans to introduce a new business model for Alexa. Rather than be included with the company’s Prime subscription, Alexa will require its own monthly subscription. 

While Alexa has previously dominated voice assistant competitors, including Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant, the recent steady release of powerful generative AI-powered chatbots has made clear this space is newly up for grabs. Amazon has already sold more than 500 million Alexa-enabled devices, according to Amazon, which could give the company a leg up. 

At the same time, Amazon hasn’t exactly shown itself to be an AI disrupter—the company is certainly supporting the AI boom via Amazon Web Services and has hitched its wagon to AI startup Anthropic by investing billions of dollars in it, but it hasn’t released any leading AI models that would put it in the same realm as OpenAI, Google, or Meta. 

A generative AI-powered Alexa could be Amazon’s opportunity to finally get in on the AI boom, not to mention finally deliver on the true vision of Alexa. But it faces real challenges: its own lagging position in AI, technical hurdles and runaway compute costs still plaguing the industry, and fierce competition from other tech giants that are all vying to deliver the best AI assistant experience. 

Despite the recent controversy around the Scarlett Johansson-esque voice for ChatGPT, OpenAI put a stake in the ground with its demo of the latest version of its product last week. Google has also rolled out voice support for its Gemini model. And next month at its annual developers conference, Apple is expected to unveil a new generative AI-powered, more conversational Siri. Apple faces many of the same challenges as Amazon in terms of its AI position, but the company is reportedly negotiating with Google to bring its leading Gemini model to the iPhone.

“A lot of us have had this vision for what a powerful assistant can be, but we were held back by the underlying technology not being able to serve that goal,” Google CEO Sundar Pichai said on the Decoder podcast this week. “I think we have a technology that is better able to serve that. That’s why you’re seeing the progress again. I think that’s exciting.”

If these products succeed, they could completely change how we interact with technology, get information, organize our lives, and use products and services. The New York Times reported that Apple executives worry new AI technology could displace its iPhone’s iOS software and threaten its dominance over the smartphone market. With an ecosystem of AI agents, we may no longer need apps or the app store. 

That’s the exact future wearable maker Humane was betting on with its Ai Pin, though it’s clear we’re still quite a ways off. The Ai Pin was designed to speak out loud to people wearing it and handle many of the same tasks as Alexa and Siri, but it failed to deliver. Gadget reviewer Marques Brownlee dubbed it “the worst product I’ve ever reviewed…for now”, and yesterday, Bloomberg reported that Humane is seeking to be acquired after the product’s rocky launch. 

The dream of finally delivering a true AI assistant feels closer than ever before, and at the same time, still very far away. In OpenAI’s demo last week, Sky very much sounded like a real person—both in terms of its voice and how it answered questions (and as always, it’s important to remember that we can only trust a demo so much). But sounding like a real person is only half the battle. These models are still limited by the fact that they’re confidently wrong all the time. As I continue to test ChatGPT, I am floored by how consistently wrong it is. I feel like I can’t trust a word it says.

“I wonder if the intelligence is increasing at the same rate as the facility with language,” Nilay Patel, editor-in-chief of The Verge, said to Pichai during the Decoder conversation. “I kind of don’t see it, to be perfectly honest. I see computers getting much better at language and actually in some cases getting dumber.”

And with that, here’s more AI news. 

Sage Lazzaro sage.lazzaro@consultant.fortune.com sagelazzaro.com

[ear-worthy]

Black Effect Podcast Network & iHeart Announce “Money and Wealth with John Hope Bryant"

I like Dave Ramsey and his financial advice. However, his sound counsel may not apply to all Americans. Consider that in 2022, the typical White household had about six times as much wealth as the typical Black household.

 Therefore, it's possible and even preferable for Black households to get financial advice from someone who better understands their challenges.

 iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God’s The Black Effect Podcast Network announced “Money and Wealth with John Hope Bryant,” a new weekly podcast about financial wellness and developing a wealth mindset. In each episode, Bryant will unpack the issues of the day, provide practical advice on how listeners can improve their current financial position and learn how to create personal wealth for themselves and their families.

In each episode of “Money and Wealth,” Bryant will unpack the issues of the day, provide practical advice on how listeners can improve their current financial position and learn how to create personal wealth for themselves and their families. In the first episode, Bryant will discuss real estate, the journey to homeownership and his own personal experience with purchasing property. 

John Hope Bryant is an American entrepreneur, thought leader and philanthropic leader, referred to as the Conscience of Capitalism by numerous Fortune 500 CEOs and countless others. Bryant is the Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Operation HOPE, Inc. the largest not-for-profit and best-in-class provider of financial literacy, financial inclusion and economic empowerment tools and services in the U.S. 

Launched in October 2020, Bryant’s 1 Million New Black Businesses Initiative (1MBB, has already created more than 250,000 new black businesses and counting, or an amount equal to 5% of all black businesses in America. 1MBB was recently recognized by Fast Company as a 2023 World Changing Idea.

 “Last year, I was honored to join the Board of the Black Effect Podcast Network. Now, I’m equally excited to join the incredible lineup of leaders creating content that enlightens and empowers our community,” said Bryant. “I’ve spent my career as an entrepreneur and executive dedicated to making sure we’re confident and equipped to succeed in the free enterprise system. The color today is not black or white or red or blue - it’s green, as in the color of money. I look forward to sharing not just what I’ve learned about making money, but most importantly, what I know about building wealth.” “Money and Wealth” will join The Black Effect Podcast Network’s existing roster of highly popular business and finance shows including “That Moment with Daymond John,” and “Black Tech, Green Money” as listeners increasingly seek resources for self-improvement, financial wellness and wealth management from Black creators.

 “John Hope Bryant’s unwavering commitment to fostering wealth within the black community perfectly aligns with The Black Effect Podcast Network’s values, and will undoubtedly inspire listeners across the country,” said Dollie S. Bishop, President of Creative Development and Production, The Black Effect Podcast Network. “We’re thrilled to bring ‘Money and Wealth’ to the network, and ultimately help listeners on their journey towards financial prosperity.”

“Money and Wealth” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

 New episodes of “Money and Wealth with John Hope Bryant” will launch every Thursday on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.“John Hope Bryant’s unwavering commitment to fostering wealth within the black community perfectly aligns with The Black Effect Podcast Network’s values, and will undoubtedly inspire listeners across the country,” said Dollie S. Bishop, President of Creative Development and Production, The Black Effect Podcast Network. “We’re thrilled to bring ‘Money and Wealth’ to the network, and ultimately help listeners on their journey towards financial prosperity.”

[shivamthakrejr]

Pushing Boundaries: Sachin Dev Duggal's Builder.ai's Contribution to AI's Rapid Advancements

Builder.ai's Chief Wizard and Founder, Sachin Dev Duggal, recently engaged in a fireside chat with Jennifer Strong, Executive Producer at SHIFT Podcast at Web Summit Qatar 2024 The discussion centered on Builder.ai's simplified AI-powered app-creation process and the strategies for SaaS companies to scale into, and beyond, the no-code future.

Sachin Duggal talked about how Builder.ai creates apps differently by using artificial intelligence. He also shared that their goal is to make app-building easier for everyone, no matter if they know about technology or not.

"Builder.ai's simplified AI-powered app-creation process represents a significant shift in the software development landscape," remarked Sachin Dev Duggal. "Our platform empowers individuals and businesses to bring their app ideas to life without the need for extensive coding knowledge. By harnessing the power of AI, we've democratized app development, enabling anyone to create high-quality, customized applications efficiently."

Jennifer Strong, a top podcast producer, discussed how Builder.ai's strategy impacts Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies looking to expand in the rapidly changing world of no-code technology. They talked about the benefits and difficulties of the no-code revolution and how businesses can use Builder.ai and similar platforms to boost their creativity and success.

[jcmarchi]

Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora Cover Story And Talos Principle 2 | GI Show

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/avatar-frontiers-of-pandora-cover-story-and-talos-principle-2-gi-show/

Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora Cover Story And Talos Principle 2 | GI Show

In this week’s episode of The Game Informer Show, Alex and Marcus break down our latest cover story featuring Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and chat about their multiple play sessions thus far. However, prior to our cover story discussion, we call out this week’s layoffs at Ubisoft, during which the company laid off over a hundred employees. Later in the show, we chat with Charles about his positive Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 review before diving into a new puzzle game, The Talos Principle 2, and Fortnite OG, the popular battle royale’s latest season that’s smashing records.

Watch Or Listen To The Game Informer Show:

[embedded content]

Follow us on social media: Alex Van Aken (@itsVanAken), Marcus Stewart (@MarcusStewart7), Charles Harte (@ChuckDuck365)

The Game Informer Show is a weekly gaming podcast covering the latest video game news, industry topics, exclusive reveals, and reviews. Join host Alex Van Aken every Thursday to chat about your favorite games – past and present – with Game Informer staff, developers, and special guests from around the industry. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Matt Storm, the freelance audio editor for The Game Informer Show, edited this episode. Matt is an experienced podcast host and producer who’s been speaking into a microphone for over a decade. You should listen to Matt’s shows like the “Fun” And Games Podcast and Reignite, a BioWare-focused podcast. 

The Game Informer Show – Podcast Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:03:10 – Ubisoft Layoffs

00:06:12 – Cover Story: Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

00:43:23 – Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 Review

01:00:30 – The Talos Principle 2

01:21:18 – Fortnite OG

01:31:16 – Housekeeping and Listener Questions