Podcasts are now available in Google Play Music
On the web and on Android, anyway... iOS users are out of luck for now.
Perhaps one of the worst-kept secrets of the last six months has come to pass: Podcasts have officially been added to Google Play Music for Android and on the web. This comes right as predicted last week, when an internal NPR memo tipped the launch date. Fortunately, Google's doing something rather clever with its podcast launch. Just like the activity-based radio stations that Google added after buying Songza, you'll be able to browse a variety of podcast "channels" for when you're not sure exactly what you feel like listening to.
A few examples Google gave us include "Learn Something New," which includes podcasts like Stuff You Should Know and How To Do Everything, and "Laugh Out Loud," that features shows like Marc Maron's WTF and Chris Hardwick's The Nerdist. Beyond the station-based interface, you'll of course be able to subscribe to various podcasts to have them download automatically or send you notifications when they release new episodes. There's also a "top charts" section broken down by subject matter.
We haven't had a chance to try the new app yet, so it's hard to say how it'll compare to third-party options for podcasts on Android like Pocket Casts. But if you're already using Google Play Music (or someone who prefers sticking with one app for all your audio needs), this is a feature worth investigating. The station-based discovery feature is a somewhat unique take on podcasts and sounds like it'll be worth checking out when you want to find new shows. Unfortunately for iOS users, you'll have to wait -- Google says it's focusing on Android for now.
