In its annual WorldWide Developers Conference (WWDC) yesterday, Apple set expectations for a new version of Apple Podcasts, by most measures the top podcast distribution platform.
The app will offer podcast suggestions based on previous listening as interpreted by the app’s AI. (Rival Spotify has a rich suggestion feature that offers a customized playlist of recommended shows based on the individual’s listening history.)
Podcast recommendations will appear in the Up Next section of the app, which at this moment holds episodes of podcasts the listener is following. The new feature might generate additional subscriptions and more listening within the app.
Apple called this a “major overhaul” during the WWDC presentation. As it rolls out this year, we might find that there is more to the app refresh than is currently described.