Apples new AppStore Review Guidelines might put an end to Podcaster

Yesterday Apple announced new rules for the app store and we want to just mention several that might put a stop to future Podcaster development.

8.5 Use of protected 3rd party material (trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, otherwise proprietary content) requires a documented rights check which must be provided upon request

This has already affected the the directory in the app. We had to remove the feeds that Apple asked us and move them out of the app to http://podcaster.fm/search.aspx. 

9.2 App user interfaces that mimic any iPod interface will be rejected

We made out Now Playing screen look similar to Apples iPod screen because people are familiar with the control. We have several icons and buttons that Apple does not have so maybe it's enough of a difference. 

9.3 Audio streaming content over a cellular network may not use more than 5MB over 5 minutes

9.4 Video streaming content over a cellular network longer than 10 minutes must use HTTP Live Streaming and include a baseline 64 kbps audio-only HTTP Live stream

Our app allows users to stream content and if Apple makes us stop streaming, it will make a lot of users unhappy. This will not affect anyone that download the feeds over 3G.

We are not sure how much has changed from the previous rules so we might be able to get away with it but it's still a  guessing game. We currently have Podcaster 3.5 in review so we should have an answer by end of next week.  

Podcasters younger sibling accepted into app store

I have been working on an app very similar to Podcaster. It is called RssPlayer and it can be downloaded from the app store at http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=302006628&mt=8

It is basically Podcaster without the Search Directory. You must import and OPML or RSS feed. It has several features that Podcaster does not. Remebers your last play position in audio even when streaming. Follows human interface guidelines more closely. More Stable.

You can read more at http://rssplayer.blogspot.com

Apples implementation of OTA Downloads of Podcasts is sub-par

I really wanted to give Apples implementation of OTA downloading of Podcasts a chance. Since the release of 2.2 firmware, I tried using the built in podcast player on the iPhone. After attempting to download podcasts, several thoughts come to mind on this quirky and rushed implementation. Where is the syncing? and Why the limit of cellular network downloads to 10 MB? Downloading 1 podcast at a time while jumping between the iTunes mobile store app and the iTunes mobile app was not what I had in my. After attempting to download 2 twit podcasts and 1 buzz out loud podcast, the twit podcast failed to download (I got an error message), the buzz out loud podcast would not download because it was over 10MB. I don't even subscribe to a podcast smaller then 10 MB and I don't have wifi at work (where I need to download most) so this update is completely useless to me. Does anyone else feel the same or is anyone actually content with how Apple has implemented OTA downloads.

Podcaster Holiday Special

The holidays got us in such a good mood that we are giving special holiday pricing. Get Podcaster today for only 99 cents. Enjoy the program and have a safe and happy holidays.

Podcaster 1.4 Update

Podcaster 1.4 Update

An update to Podcaster has arrived. We will be releasing it to all our users in the upcoming days. Here is what you can expect in the update. No more 14 day trial, instead, we have limited trial users to 3 subscriptions, maximum, without expiration. Paid users will not have this limitation.

• Added Setting tab
• Sync options (Automatically downloads and deletes)
• Auto continue on end of Podcast
• Recovery Mode - Gets activated when program cannot start up properly
• News icons and titles of tab bar
• Made the app more colorful to make it stand out from other apps, including Apple
• Made start up faster (First time is a bit slow, but after that, much faster then now)
• Uploads podcast data to podcaster.fm for interactive map. If a username and password are entered, then your username will be uploaded along with the podcast. If not, the data uploaded will be anonymous. Location accuracy set to 1 kilometer.
• Sync with podcaster.fm, keeps podcast lists identical (A good backup of your subscriptions)
• Made font bigger for my podcasts
• Import text boxes do not clear themselves
• Added indicator of how much space is remaining on the iPhone
• Removed get 3 button
• Limited importing to 25 items per podcast (Helps with feeds that have 100's of items in them)
• No more tabs on search page
• No longer show blue dot/podcast type (video or audio) in My Podcasts . Still displayed in drill down

Get the beta now at http://www.nextdayoff.com/downloads/cydia/PodcasterProvCydia.zip

For a discount on Podcaster, go to http://www.nextdayoff.com/shaun