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The best podcast app for iOS is now completely free

Overcast is widely considered to be the best podcast app on iOS, if not all mobile platforms. For many, its no-nonsense interface and slick features (such as cutting dead air and boosting voices) make Apple's official app seem crude. You've had to pay $5 to see everything it has to offer, though... until now. App creator Marco Arment (he of Instapaper fame) has released Overcast 2, which switches to a completely free business model. As he puts it, he didn't like seeing the majority of users (80 percent) miss out on the features he wrote -- he'd rather make sure you see everything. You can still donate $1 per month if you want to help, but that contribution is strictly optional.

The new version isn't just about unlocking existing features, as you might have guessed. You can now stream podcasts rather than downloading everything in advance, and keep tabs on your storage so that your collection doesn't get out of control. There's long overdue support for chapters, too, and you'll get 3D Touch shortcuts if you happen to own an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus. All told, Overcast 2 is likely worth trying even if you passed on it the first time around -- you can find out if it lives up to the hype without denting your bank account.