Apple’s walled garden is usually pretty all-encompassing, with many apps and services that only work on Apple devices. For a long time, that was the case with the Podcasts app, but Apple has just taken the unusual step of opening it up to users of other platforms, giving them access to all the best podcasts and exclusive content.
But before you head over to the Google Play Store, it’s not Apple’s Podcasts app that’s now available on your Windows PC or Android phone. Instead, you can now access the Podcasts service through any of the best web browsers by simply heading over to the new Apple Podcasts page.
There you’ll find the entire Apple Podcasts library to browse through. Featured podcasts are highlighted at the top of the page, with different categories and shows displayed as you scroll down.
Select a podcast and you’ll be taken to its dedicated page, where you can watch all the episodes, read their summaries, or leave a review. Hit the play button next to an episode – or the button on the podcast cover on the website’s homepage – and you’ll be able to listen to it in your browser, with a full set of playback controls at the top of the page.
Apple encourages you to create an account or sign in with your Apple account so you can save your location, follow shows, and watch the latest episodes. However, you don’t have to do this to start listening.
Cracks in the walled garden
It’s unclear what exactly motivated Apple to make this change, but news website AppleInsider Apple quoted as stated: “Users can now get the favorite features they love, including the ability to browse millions of shows across categories, access their library and top charts, purchase premium podcast subscriptions, and much more.”
AppleInsider says Apple has argued that the new system – in which a shared link opens in the Podcasts app for Apple users, but on the web for everyone else – improves the process of sharing podcasts by making it simpler and more direct. Additionally, Apple said there are benefits for podcast creators, as shows are now “accessible to anyone with a web browser on any device, reaching a broader global audience.”
Apple first made its Maps app available on the web in July . With Podcasts following in its footsteps, you might be wondering if more Apple services will be available online so you can access them even if you don’t have a company device.
We’re not sure if there’s more to come, but it’s worth keeping an eye on to see if any more cracks appear in the company’s famous walled garden.
