In order to continue improving its Podcast offerings experience, Apple earlier this year purchased podcast app Scout FM, reports Bloomberg.
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The website for Scout FM is now defunct, but it was available on iPhones, Android devices, and Amazon smart speakers. Scout FM generated podcast stations covering various topics, similar to a radio station but for a podcast experience.
A person could select a specific topic and then find podcasts related to that topic, with the service also offering up recommendations based on listening history and personal preference. TechCrunch explained how it worked in 2018:
Scout.fm wants to change the way people listen to podcasts. Instead of scouring through the over 500,000 shows in your current podcast app, this startup's new curated podcast service will just ask you a few questions to find out what you like, then create a podcast station customized to you. The experience is primarily designed for use on smart speakers, like Amazon's Alexa-powered Echo devices, but is also available as iOS and Android applications.
According to Bloomberg, Scout FM was a popular iPhone podcast app that worked with CarPlay, plus it was available for Alexa-based devices.
An Apple spokesperson confirmed the purchase to Bloomberg with Apple's standard acquisition statement, but did not provide details on how the app's technology will be used.
Apple competitor Spotify has been making significant investments into the podcasting space, which has also spurred Apple to make updates. Apple plans to improve its podcast offerings through original podcast content that will be exclusive to the Podcasts app.
Apple plans to create audio spinoffs of some of its original television and movie content, but it is also seeking to purchase original podcast programs that could also tie into future Apple TV+ shows.
Top Rated Comments
Grab iOS device, jump in the car, no podcasts are actually downloaded. Ever.sit there for 5vminutes waiting for one to download, start playing it, stop & get out for gas, resume playing, iPad plays music instead, has no idea a podcast was ever playing. Siri? Siri has never heard of the podcasts app, & wants to play music instead. Dad where did the fast forward & rewind buttons go? Hang on you have to tap that little corner area down here and then this bigger window pops up with those basic controls tucked away in there. the slider is 1 pixel wide, good luck hitting that while I’m driving.
The Podcasts app looks like it was designed by an engineer and works like it was engineered by a designer.
It would be amazing to find exactly who spoke what about whatever niche topic you're interested in. Even cooler if they parse out the data of who is speaking. Think: "Hey Siri, jump to that Joe Rogan podcast when Edward Norton talks about martial arts".
a) monetised
b) exclusive
c) subscription based