The first application I wanted for my Android phone was a proper podcasting service. I listen to all of my podcasts on my phone exclusively now, and I needed something that could connect via WiFi at set intervals, update and check feeds, then download the programs that were newly released. The feed management system needed to be robust and easy, and there needed to be a way to organize my feeds into a playlist so that when one show finished, the next would start automatically. I’ve found that the best application for all of those things is DoggCatcher. It has all the features I need, and a few more. It distinguishes between audio and video podcasts and keeps them in distinct playlists. It will also recommend new podcasts for you based on your listening habits, and will easily allow you to add more from different sources like rss or online channels like Revision 3.
Now that I’ve got it automatically downloading the last few podcasts released from a feed, I can just turn on my phone in a WiFi zone at work or at home and have something new to listen to at any time without needing to be constantly poking at my phone. It even has a series of settings so that it can remember where you left off in any particular show. If you want to skip to another program and return, it will let you do that, even from a widget on the home screen. That’s one less step and several less seconds of work. When I take out my headphones from the jack it will instantly stop the show too, meaning I don’t have to worry if the cord gets tugged when I go for a walk or something.
It is an expensive application at $6.99, but it has solved all the problems for one of the major uses of my phone. It is absolutely worth the money to me, and I uses it hours daily. I’ve never had a single problem with this program, and the other podcasting applications on my Android phone drove me into fits of rage because of their bugs. Support this well made program! I’ve got more time to listen instead of waiting for things to download all the time. I’ve added a few new podcasts since the last time I gave some recommendations too. Here are some of the programs I am listening to now:
The Educational Shows:
Stuff You Missed in History Class – I was a history and civics geek in high school, but that was the last time I did anything related to the subject despite being a follower of politics now. Listening to this podcast about historical figures is very insightful. Sometimes I can imagine teaching a lesson on one of these topics to my old higher level middle school students, even though I don’t teach that sort of class anymore. I find the podcast interesting as it weaves a story out of the figures, often building on previous episodes to take a more in depth look at people’s impact on history. The shows only run around fifteen minutes, so while they do require careful listening, they aren’t too exhausting.
Skeptoid – This is a critical thinking podcast, with lots of debunking going on. Some of the topics remind me a lot of the Stuff You Missed in History Class, except with a skeptical bent to them. It also has a short run time. The host of the show has a strong point of view, and doesn’t hold back on people he considers frauds. I’ve taken a strong interest in supporting skeptical media recently, and this is one of the best. I’m also a big fan of The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe.
The Comedy Shows:
WTF with Marc Maron is the newest podcast I listen to. I’ve been looking for it for a while, but when I found it I was surprised at the quality of guests on the show. The host is acerbic towards some comics, but some of the interviews are very interesting. I’d recommend the two about Carlos Mencia (75. Direct: 76). The show is extremely [NSFW], but if you are interested in listening to comedians when they aren’t doing their acts, this is a very unguarded, honest sort of show. Learning about how comedians approach their craft is a very interesting.
Doug Loves Movies This is a [NSFW] game show and interview podcast. The majority of this show is devoted to the “Leonard Maltin game” where people have to pick the right movie by listening to a few hints and a few bottom billed actors. It’s a great game you can play at a party, but sometimes the guests take forever to understand the rules and that can drag on the fun. I’ve only guessed the right movie a handful of times, but it makes me feel like a genius. Learning about which movies people are excited to see, or recommend is fine, but this can be a very Los Angeles sort of scene. The show is usually a short 30 minutes, most of it spent playing the party games. It’s pretty funny, and there are good guests most of the time.
The Nerdist Podcast is proof that geek culture is not as niche as it used to be. Chris Hardwick makes Dr. Who references all the time, or talks about he is good friends with Weird Al. They geek out about AMC shows like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and The Walking Dead like I do.That’s awesome. There are times when this show lines up so closely with my interests that it is impossible for me to believe I am not subconsciously willing it into creation from a geek dimension that I never new existed before I listened. It’s not as edgy or as vulgar as WTF with Marc Maron, but is still hilarious. Every week there is a new guest that is totally in my wheelhouse. This is one of those podcasts that gets immediately bumped up in my queue when it finishes downloading.