A
podcast
A podcast is a program made available in digital format for download over the Internet. For example, an episodic series of digital audio or video files that a user can download to a personal device to listen to at a time of their choosin ...
client, or podcatcher, is a computer program used to stream or download podcasts, usually via an
RSS or
XML
Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a markup language and file format for storing, transmitting, and reconstructing arbitrary data. It defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable. T ...
feed.
While podcast clients are best known for streaming and downloading podcasts, many are also capable of downloading video,
newsfeeds, text, and pictures. Some of these podcast clients can also automate the transfer of received audio files to a
portable media player. Although many include a directory of high-profile podcasts, they generally allow users to manually subscribe directly to a feed by providing the
URL.
The core concepts had been
developing since 2000, the first commercial podcast client software was developed in 2001.
Podcasts were made popular when
Apple
An apple is an edible fruit produced by an apple tree (''Malus domestica''). Apple trees are cultivated worldwide and are the most widely grown species in the genus '' Malus''. The tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancest ...
added podcatching to its
iTunes
iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mu ...
software and
iPod portable media player in June 2005.
is currently included in all Apple devices, such as
iPhone,
iPad
The iPad is a brand of iOS and iPadOS-based tablet computers that are developed by Apple Inc., Apple Inc. The iPad was conceived before the related iPhone but the iPhone was developed and released first. Speculation about the development, ...
and
Mac computers.
Podcast clients
See also
*
Comparison of audio player software
References
External links
"Podcast Software (Clients)"at podcastingnews.com – Archived page
podcatchermatrix.orgcompares the features of a number of podcast clients.
"Podcast Client Feature Comparison Matrix"as a
Google Sheets spreadsheet.
{{Podcast clients
Podcasting software
Podcast clients
Podcasting lists