Overcast Podcast Player Update Brings Overhauled Apple Watch App, Improved Siri Support

overcastIn the latest update to the popular podcast player, Overcast has overhauled its Apple Watch app to be more intuitive and bring several features that were previously only accessible on Overcast for iPhone.

The newly designed watch interface ditches the horizontally scrolling panels to reveal features, and instead uses a single screen providing button access to settings, podcast library, and now playing controls. In addition, a sync button keeps podcasts stored on your watch in sync with those on your ‌iPhone‌.

The new playback controls include the ability to skip podcast chapters (if a podcast supports them) and adjust playback speed. These can be accessed by tapping a button in the bottom-right corner of the now playing screen.

2017 02 19 22 25 28

Above, the old Overcast watch interface

Version 2021.1 of the app also includes improved Siri support and "tons of under-the-hood improvements and bug fixes," although as a result of the changes, this update drops support for watchOS 6, meaning the app will no longer work on Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch Series 2.

overcast watch app 2021

Above, the new 2021 Overcast watch interface

Overcast 2021.1 is available for ‌iPhone‌ and iPad from the App Store in the form of an ad-supported free version or $9.99 per year ad-free. [Direct Link]

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Production Will Reportedly Begin Ramping Up in October

Tuesday July 23, 2024 2:00 pm PDT by
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 Lineup Specs Detail Display Upgrade and New High-End Model

Monday July 22, 2024 4:33 am PDT by
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting...
Generic iPhone 17 Feature With Full Width Dynamic Island

Kuo: Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Feature A19 Chip, Single Rear Camera, Semi-Titanium Frame, and More

Wednesday July 24, 2024 9:06 am PDT by
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year. Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Less Than Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Thursday July 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...
icloud private relay outage

iCloud Private Relay Experiencing Outage

Thursday July 25, 2024 3:18 pm PDT by
Apple’s iCloud Private Relay service is down for some users, according to Apple’s System Status page. Apple says that the iCloud Private Relay service may be slow or unavailable. The outage started at 2:34 p.m. Eastern Time, but it does not appear to be affecting all iCloud users. Some impacted users are unable to browse the web without turning iCloud Private Relay off, while others are...

Top Rated Comments

Blackstick Avatar
45 months ago

Also, the "indie dev" has more money than he knows what to do with. The idea this is some "poor indie" is absurd.
Does his wealth offend you? It's a solid podcast app.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
boss.king Avatar
45 months ago

Also, the "indie dev" has more money than he knows what to do with. The idea this is some "poor indie" is absurd.
No one said "poor indie". Indie dev just means independent, which he is.

Yes, he's had a very successful career and likely doesn't need any of the money he makes off of Overcast, but that has nothing to do with any of this.

And yes, Marco can be a bit of a whiner, but there's a very easy fix for that—just stop listening to him. It's really that easy.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Canyda Avatar
45 months ago
All I know is that a couple of weeks ago Overcast suddenly stopped downloading a password protected podcast feed to which I subscribed and I emailed Marco and explained what was happening and he immediately implemented a server-side fix and everything immediately went back to normal.

I appreciate that kind of customer service.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CJM Avatar
45 months ago
Marco sure has complained about doing the Watch UI for a while. Guess he finally got his head around it.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yellow8 Avatar
45 months ago
The maker is an indie dev! Support him :)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tbayrgs Avatar
45 months ago

No one said "poor indie". Indie dev just means independent, which he is.

Yes, he's had a very successful career and likely doesn't need any of the money he makes off of Overcast, but that has nothing to do with any of this.

And yes, Marco can be a bit of a whiner, but there's a very easy fix for that—just stop listening to him. It's really that easy.
Exactly. I enjoy ATP for the most part and am also sometimes put off by Marco’s whining but applaud anyone who’s been able to build a solid career as an indie developer against the litany of mega corps playing in the same space.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)