Google launched a standalone Podcast app for Android in June, which by using Google’s algorithm, connects the users with shows that they might enjoy based on their habits or preferences. Most reviews for the app designated it to be “basic,” and to turn around the reviews; they released the list of features. And starting today, the list is going to include Cast Support. While Chromecast support was made available to certain users earlier this month, it’s widening its platform from today, which is to run on version 8.22 of the Google app.
The incorporation of the Chromecast support in the Podcast app is evidently simple and pretty much the same as other audio clients. Once enabled, the Cast icon appears in the upper-right hand corner of the app, tapping which will display all the available built-in Chromecast devices on a WiFi network for the users to select and begin playback.
Similar to the rest of the app, the Cast panel also features Google Material Theme featuring a volume slider. The Cast icon is omnipresent, always visible in the corner once the app is opened so that you don’t have to look for it. Smart devices like Google Home enables users to directly ask Assistant to play any Podcast. This Cast feature comes in handy for speakers connected to Chromecast audios or any device without a microphone.
Audio notifications from Google podcasts or system-level Cast media controls appear with a slight adjustment of the playback. The Google Podcast app also makes fine-tune controls like scrubbing and rewinding/forwarding. The cover art of the audio/video the user is currently playing appears on the Google Home app.
However, the worst part about the app is that since speed controls are not available while streaming to Google Home, Chromecast Audio, or any other Chromecast built-in devices, there is always a brief moment of buffering before any playback initiates.
