"Apple is upgrading its Podcasts app to let users "seamlessly" swap between audio and video podcasts using its HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology. While listening to a show, users will be able to switch to a horizontal video version of the podcast and download the video versions of a podcast for offline viewing. By giving users the option to quickly change between audio and video, Apple might be able to keep users from jumping to other platforms to watch episodes of their favorite shows."
"Video is becoming an increasingly popular way to consume podcasts, with YouTube saying last February that more than 1 billion people watch podcasts on the platform every month. Spotify is making a big push into video as well, and Netflix recently launched its own original podcasts. The new features in Apple's Podcasts app will officially launch this spring, but they will be available to test starting Monday as part of betas for iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4."
Apple is enhancing the Podcasts app to enable seamless switching between audio and horizontal video versions of episodes using HTTP Live Streaming (HLS). Users can download video versions for offline viewing and switch between formats while listening. The move aims to reduce migration to other platforms as video podcast consumption grows, with YouTube reporting over 1 billion monthly podcast viewers and competitors like Spotify and Netflix expanding into video podcasts. The features will arrive publicly in spring and are available to test in betas for iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4. HLS video will also be added to the web.
Read at The Verge
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