Overcast

In today's update (2024.8.1):

- Manage Storage
- Bug fixes, including 24-hour-auto-delete mode
- Seek back/forward buttons on the miniplayer

And by popular demand, the third button on the bottom of now-playing is now the Sleep Timer! (Sleep-timer custom intervals are also better now.)

The "i" button is now in the upper-right. (Tapping the artwork also still brings up info mode.)

I hear your feedback and am experimenting with other options for mode-switching the playback screen. Stay tuned.

Aug 10, 2024 at 8:37pmIvory for Mac
Show threadTake It EV Podcast 🎙️Aug 10, 2024
@overcastfm thank you for all of this work !
Show threadMichael SmithAug 10, 2024
@overcastfm thank you. Please bring back the second sort option for podcasts so current and all can be sorted differently. 🍻
Show threadKevin McPhillipsAug 11, 2024

@atobsmith @overcastfm +1

I want to listen to unheard podcasts oldest to newest, in order. But when searching for something in the podcast history I don’t want to start from the oldest in the feed.

Show threadVAug 10, 2024
@overcastfm Thank you for all the features. Loving the UI.
Show threadEric AscherAug 10, 2024
@overcastfm I hope that the people who are complaining see how quickly all of these fixes have been rolling out. My pet bugs have already been fixed.
Show threadDonatelloEsqAug 10, 2024
@overcastfm Any update on CarPlay? The last update seemed to break it, I get a blank screen in my car.
Show threadElliot VosAug 10, 2024
@DonatelloEsq @overcastfm hmm CarPlay has been working fine for me
Show threadGeoffaireyAug 10, 2024
@DonatelloEsq @overcastfm Working fine for me
Show threadTheEJJ 🇨🇦Aug 10, 2024
@overcastfm It’s a very low priority, but now that tapping the artwork is the easiest way to bring up episode info, it feels odd to also not have a gesture to quickly dismiss it.
Show threadMiroslav StankicAug 11, 2024
@TheEjj @overcastfm +1 to this.
Show threadJordan KrahnAug 10, 2024
@overcastfm nitpicky, but I think it would be a smoother visual transition if the “i” button and the dismissal “X” button that replaces it were the exact the same size and in the same position (if drifts down a bit)
Show threadPhilipp WaldhauerAug 10, 2024

@overcastfm

Thanks, but tapping the AirPod to start the next episode after one episode ended still does not work. Is it just me? How is everyone using the app when this does not work.

😭

Show threadfeebdaedAug 10, 2024
@pwa @overcastfm Not just you. I have the same behavior with the watch app. Both (airpods&watch) can play/pause an episode already in progress, but can't start a new episode.
Show threadJeremysean55Aug 11, 2024
@feebdaed @pwa @overcastfm me too. Have reported it. Ending the episode doesn’t queue the next unless on continuous play (which I don’t want to do)
Show threadmufapuAug 11, 2024
@Jeremysean55 @feebdaed @pwa @overcastfm
Same here. Keeps me away from Overcast for the time being.
Show threadJeremysean55Aug 12, 2024
@mufapu @feebdaed @pwa @overcastfm I use overcast and castro (at night when I want to select when to start the next podcast, without having to turn it on)- but my castro subscription is just about due - have to see if free works for me until this is done.
Show threadLaurentAug 10, 2024
@overcastfm @marcoarment Crap... I use my phone with the left hand and upper-right is the worst. While at the same time I never use the sleep timer :(
Show threadRichard SmithAug 10, 2024
@lolopb Tap the artwork.
Show threadLaurentAug 10, 2024
@richard5mith Yes, that way it's fine but you can't go back to the artwork without tapping the “i”
Show threadRichard SmithAug 10, 2024

@lolopb Good point.

What goes up, what goes down, and how it’s dismissed is what makes it all feel so disorienting.

Show threadLaurentAug 10, 2024
@richard5mith well, the previous place for the “i" was right but it's been dislodged by vocal fans of sleep timer 😬
Show threadRichard SmithAug 10, 2024

@lolopb It was right from an easy to hit at the bottom of screen POV, but it still caused the panel to come from the top while it sat next to a button that made a panel appear from the bottom.

A setting to pick the bottom bar options would solve your issue.

Show threadLaurentAug 10, 2024

@richard5mith sure but I get why Marco had to react quickly and make a decision as it seems the lack of the sleeper button directly on the screen was a huge issue for many.

Wait and see

Show threadsherwoodAug 10, 2024
@overcastfm to counteract some of the flak this version has received, +1 a user who’s quite appreciative of how fast you’re sanding over the rough edges
Show threadfeebdaedAug 10, 2024
@overcastfm Please make swipe left-to-right the download action. I download many times a day, I've starred exactly one episode.
Show threadAbeltjeAug 11, 2024
@feebdaed @overcastfm I wish swipe actions could be customizable like in many email programs. From all the reactions I think it is clear that individual users have many diverse preference and with fixed setup can’t please them all.
Show threadPatrickAug 13, 2024

@feebdaed @overcastfm

I would like to see the swipe left to the right in the download area to be able to download individual podcasts celluar.

Show threadCasper 👻Aug 10, 2024
@overcastfm
What happened to ‘play next’? I used it all the time
Show threadRob LorenzAug 10, 2024
@caspercdn @overcastfm It’s in the menu that pops up when you tap the three dots on an episode.
Show threadWMRAug 11, 2024
@caspercdn @overcastfm Same here. That’s the one thing I am still missing or maybe I just don’t understand how “Add to Queue” is supposed to work.
Show threadPatrickAug 13, 2024

@caspercdn @overcastfm

I miss it too

Show threadGeoffaireyAug 10, 2024
@overcastfm Is there a reason that these updates are not being posted in the Announcements space on the app. Many of your users do not use Mastodon or read the update notes in the app store.
Show threadEhlerAug 10, 2024
@Geoffairey I’d wager because Marco treats notifications as ‘sacred’ in the kind of spectrum of views people have on them
Show threadGeoffaireyAug 10, 2024
@ehler Not as a pop up Notification, Sorry, the Announcements section
Show threadEhlerAug 10, 2024
@Geoffairey on that’s actually a super good idea, forgot that was there. Perfect thing to use it for.
Show threadKurt ZenisekAug 11, 2024

@ehler @Geoffairey It does seem a bit odd to have it allow multiple items while it just has the one major update from 7/16.

What’s the threshold for anything to be included there if new features & fixes aren’t being mentioned (or a roadmap update)? Having it just be that one item for the foreseeable future seems under-utilized.

I see that current item ideally in a pinned area at top (for now) while the rest show releases and/or roadmap from latest to oldest.

Show threadKurt ZenisekAug 11, 2024

@ehler @Geoffairey While lower priority compared to features/fixes, it could ease concerns people have when they might not think to look where that info is now (or don’t want to go looking outside of the app for that info.)

Adding a “new” pip/indicator to the settings icon (a-la the new downloads icon) & the announcements item in settings to point people to an unread announcement could be helpful, too (bonus if nitpicky details has a toggle for that indicator.)

Show threadKurt ZenisekAug 11, 2024
@ehler @Geoffairey I’m thinking having it show the new item when opening the app (while good for major announcements like this new major version update [those using the pinned section I mentioned]) would be overkill for smaller updates/details so the indicator seemed like a happy-medium so people know there’s something new (while able to turn it off for those that don’t like seeing unread indicators & don’t want to look at every single announcement.) Some ideas.
Show threadJacob HoltAug 10, 2024
@overcastfm @marcoarment I have a suggestion can we have a back-swipe or some other gesture to return to the artwork view after entering the info view?
Show threadRichard SmithAug 10, 2024

@overcastfm It’s the spatial movement of the now playing screen that feels so odd. What goes up, what goes down, what dismisses it again is all so inconsistent. That makes it easy to feel lost. It is improved in this release.

Also tapping a time in info makes it jump to that time in the currently playing podcast, not the podcast you tapped the info for.

Show threadSimon IannelliAug 10, 2024
@overcastfm thank you very much for the improved sleep timer!!
Show threadAaron BushnellAug 10, 2024

@overcastfm Amazingly placed chapter selection.

FYI—been loving the update and glad it’s enabled you to ship stuff faster! Nice work, Marco!

Show threadTom BowieAug 10, 2024
@overcastfm thanks @marcoarment for all the updates and bug fixes. Can we get smart speed savings calculation back? I don’t know why I like it but I do.
Show threadRamón 🇨🇴Aug 10, 2024
@tombowie @overcastfm @marcoarment it’s back at the bottom of the settings screen
Show threadTom BowieAug 10, 2024
@ramarope @overcastfm @marcoarment it’s been there but it hasn’t updated since the refresh.
Show threadOdinAug 11, 2024
@tombowie @overcastfm @marcoarment It’s still there for me at the bottom of the settings screen, although in dark mode it is light grey text on a dark grey background
Show threadTom BowieAug 11, 2024
@odin @overcastfm @marcoarment it’s been there but isn’t updating.
Show threadOdinAug 11, 2024
@tombowie @overcastfm @marcoarment Interesting, I didn’t realize. Hopefully that gets fixed!
Show threadLee JarvisAug 10, 2024
@overcastfm was data/OPML export removed? I can’t seem to find it in the new update
Show threadAva Aug 10, 2024
@leejarvis @overcastfm If you need it before it comes back, it’s still on the website — https://overcast.fm/account/export_opml
Overcast

Show threadOdinAug 11, 2024
@leejarvis @overcastfm Yes, it didn’t make it into the initial version of the redesign, but Marco confirmed it will be added back at some point, just like the storage settings that were re-added today
Show threadRamón 🇨🇴Aug 10, 2024
@overcastfm nice chapter choice
Show thread(((Jann Gobble)))🏳️‍🌈Aug 10, 2024
@overcastfm What about the "loss" of screen-lock-to-on during playback? my phone screen keeps turning off when playing (on charger)!
Show threadFredKiesche 🇺🇦Aug 11, 2024
@jann @overcastfm This is one thing I miss.
Show thread(((Jann Gobble)))🏳️‍🌈Aug 11, 2024
@FredKiesche @overcastfm i know. But the loss of this isn’t mentioned in any docs - nor does feedback get any response. 😭
Show threadMike Stanley ☁️ Aug 10, 2024
@overcastfm Thanks. You continue to resolve issues introduced by the rebuild and seemingly not discovered during testing with your smaller beta group. You mentioned you don’t get meaningful feedback from the larger TestFlight group, so how about zeroing it out and letting new people in who WILL test and offer feedback? I’ve used Overcast since launch and am happy to help.
Show threadEhlerAug 10, 2024
@overcastfm I like the redesign overall! Biggest issue I’m having is a behavior change where if I add an episode to the queue, it doesn’t put it in at the bottom anymore, it sorts it based on the episode’s date. It was different before.
Show threadmaikmAug 10, 2024

@overcastfm I can't see the difference between all those small round buttons without reading glasses. When I'm out in the streets, I don't have glasses on, and then those are all just blurry small round circles to me.

I also find the new (i) position unreachable on a Max phone, and "tap the artwork" workaround barely discoverable. All of "go to podcast", shownotes, mark played, delete, share are hidden behind that button. Feels like it deserves the prime position the sleep timer now has.

Show threadOdinAug 11, 2024
@maikm @overcastfm Increasing the text size for Overcast (via control center, you may need to enable this in Settings first) will increase the button sizes as well. Not an ideal solution if you find all text throughout the app perfectly readable at the current size, but it is an option