"Video podcasts with the ability to switch between video and audio seamlessly has become more popular recently. While Apple already supports video podcasts, the technology upgrade coming in iOS 26.4 is built on the company's HTTP Live Streaming technology. HLS technology allows Apple to offer video playback without compromising the audio podcast listening experience. That's because HLS tech can power automatic quality adjustment based on network conditions. Users can also download video podcasts for offline playback."
"The new video podcast experience empowers creators. Creators distribute through participating hosting providers and ad networks, maintaining complete control of their content and monetization. Acast, Amazon's ART19, iHeartMedia's Triton Digital, and SiriusXM, inclusive of SiriusXM Media, AdsWizz, and Simplecast, are supporting HLS video at launch, with additional providers to join in the future. As part of the new experience, dynamically inserted video ads will also be supported in Apple's Podcasts app for the first time."
iOS 26.4 upgrades the Podcasts app with enhanced video podcast capabilities that let users switch seamlessly between video and audio playback. The update uses HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) to offer video playback without compromising the audio listening experience, enabling automatic quality adjustment based on network conditions and allowing downloads for offline playback. The platform supports creator-controlled distribution through participating hosting providers and ad networks while preserving creator ownership and monetization. Launch partners supporting HLS video include Acast, Amazon's ART19, iHeartMedia's Triton Digital, and SiriusXM with related subsidiaries. Dynamically inserted video ads, including host-read spots, are supported to open video advertising revenue opportunities.
Read at 9to5Mac
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]