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 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

Podcaster: Native Podcast Client for iPhone and iPod Touch

The popular iPhone web app podcaster.fm is about to get a lot better. Tomorrow, I will be submitting the app to the app store. I have been working non stop for the past 2 weeks putting it together and it's about 99% complete. It allows you to listen to audio and video podcasts by streaming just like the web app but it also allows you to download podcasts and listen to them when your offline (iPod Touch) or on edge(Old iPhone).

The interface is broken out in 3 sections.
My Podcasts - Displays all your podcasts. This screen also allows you to refresh your podcast list to see if there are any new items.
Unplayed - Displays unplayed podcasts.
Downloads - This is where you can see all your downloaded items.

Initially all sections have no items. It is up to you to subscribe to podcasts. We have provided several ways to subscribe. The easiest of which is to search our Podcast Directory. You can search by podcast title. If you cant find what you are looking for, you can use 1 of the other 3 methods to subscribe. Import from podcaster.fm account. Import by feed url and import by opml url.

After you have setup your podcast list. You are ready to listen. Simply select the item you want and click play. The podcast starts streaming in the media player. You also have the option to download the podcast. We have put a max limit of 40 MB for this current release but that is temporary and will be lifted in future updates. You can download as many podcasts as will fit on your iPhone or iPod Touch.

I have worked really hard to bring everyone (including myself) a great product. Similar to podcaster.fm, I am sure I will put out a slew of updates over the following weeks and months that will improve usability. Since I cant send this app out to anyone for testing, I want to hear your comments on the video. Thanks and enjoy.