In a few hours, Apple will host its first virtual event of the year. It will not only introduce new hardware but also unveil Apple Podcasts+.
New iPad Pro models are expected at the "Spring Loaded" event, among other things. But since yesterday, there has also been speculation about a new service: Apple Podcasts+. Now reported The Wall Street Journal also has a paid podcast subscription service. According to the WSJ, this new service will be integrated into the Apple Podcasts app and “will allow listeners to pay the hosts directly.” Yesterday, Peter Kafka of Vox tweetedthat he is “pretty sure Apple will unveil its own podcast plan – a paid subscription service – on Tuesday.”
Apple Podcasts+: iOS 14.5 fuels rumors about new service
Neither Kafka nor today's report offer any concrete insights into the pricing of this new service. While it may be surprising, the news of an Apple podcast subscription service isn't entirely new. Bloomberg and The Information have previously independently reported that Apple is in talks with production companies to produce new original shows for the service. Even without the new service, Apple has already launched several original podcast shows based on Apple TV+ content, such as "The Line." Changes discovered in the Podcasts app on iOS 14.5 suggest that Apple is revamping the app with more subscription-oriented features, further reinforcing rumors of a paid service. So, this remains exciting. (Photo by Unsplash / Joice Kelly)
