Spotify buys podcast discovery platform Podz as war with Apple heats up
Spotify on Thursday announced the acquisition of Podz, a podcast discovery service that enables content creators to better promote their show using audio clips selected through a special algorithm.
The purchase is Spotify's latest step toward creating a feature-rich podcasting experience that beats out industry incumbent Apple. As with music, Spotify is looking to upgrade its product by focusing on content discovery, an area where Podz can help, reports TechCrunch.
"At Spotify, we are investing to build and scale the world's best (and most personalized) podcast discovery experience," Spotify said in a statement. "We believe that Podz' technology will complement and accelerate Spotify's focused efforts to drive discovery, deliver listeners the right content at the right time, and accelerate growth of the category worldwide."
Currently, content creators looking to promote their podcast typically clip soundbites to share on social media and other platforms. Existing tools allow podcasters to manually select and share snippets of audio, but Podz automates the process.
In its app, which is no longer available, Podz presented users a feed of audio clips that were pulled from podcasts using machine learning model trained on more than 100,000 hours of audio in consultation with journalists and audio editors, the report says. On Spotify, these clips will "give users the opportunity to preview key moments from podcast episodes, encouraging them to discover and listen to new podcasts," the company said in a press release.
Spotify plans to integrate Podz technology across its collection of 2.6 million podcasts by the end of 2021.
The move comes days after Apple flipped the switch on a paid subscription feature for its native Podcasts app. Announced in April, Podcast Subscriptions enable podcasters to bill listeners for access to exclusive content directly through Apple's platform. Initially due to arrive in May, launch of the subscription option was delayed for unknown reasons.
Alongside Apple and Spotify, Facebook this week revealed plans to step into the podcasting fray with its own platform offering on June 22.
Keep up with everything Apple in the weekly AppleInsider Podcast -- and get a fast news update from AppleInsider Daily. Just say, "Hey, Siri," to your HomePod mini and ask for these podcasts, and our latest HomeKit Insider episode too.If you want an ad-free main AppleInsider Podcast experience, you can support the AppleInsider podcast by subscribing for $5 per month through Apple's Podcasts app, or via Patreon if you prefer any other podcast player.AppleInsider is also bringing you the best Apple-related deals for Amazon Prime Day 2021. There are bargains before, during, and even after Prime Day on June 21 and 22 -- with every deal at your fingertips throughout the event.
The purchase is Spotify's latest step toward creating a feature-rich podcasting experience that beats out industry incumbent Apple. As with music, Spotify is looking to upgrade its product by focusing on content discovery, an area where Podz can help, reports TechCrunch.
"At Spotify, we are investing to build and scale the world's best (and most personalized) podcast discovery experience," Spotify said in a statement. "We believe that Podz' technology will complement and accelerate Spotify's focused efforts to drive discovery, deliver listeners the right content at the right time, and accelerate growth of the category worldwide."
Currently, content creators looking to promote their podcast typically clip soundbites to share on social media and other platforms. Existing tools allow podcasters to manually select and share snippets of audio, but Podz automates the process.
In its app, which is no longer available, Podz presented users a feed of audio clips that were pulled from podcasts using machine learning model trained on more than 100,000 hours of audio in consultation with journalists and audio editors, the report says. On Spotify, these clips will "give users the opportunity to preview key moments from podcast episodes, encouraging them to discover and listen to new podcasts," the company said in a press release.
Spotify plans to integrate Podz technology across its collection of 2.6 million podcasts by the end of 2021.
The move comes days after Apple flipped the switch on a paid subscription feature for its native Podcasts app. Announced in April, Podcast Subscriptions enable podcasters to bill listeners for access to exclusive content directly through Apple's platform. Initially due to arrive in May, launch of the subscription option was delayed for unknown reasons.
Alongside Apple and Spotify, Facebook this week revealed plans to step into the podcasting fray with its own platform offering on June 22.
Keep up with everything Apple in the weekly AppleInsider Podcast -- and get a fast news update from AppleInsider Daily. Just say, "Hey, Siri," to your HomePod mini and ask for these podcasts, and our latest HomeKit Insider episode too.If you want an ad-free main AppleInsider Podcast experience, you can support the AppleInsider podcast by subscribing for $5 per month through Apple's Podcasts app, or via Patreon if you prefer any other podcast player.AppleInsider is also bringing you the best Apple-related deals for Amazon Prime Day 2021. There are bargains before, during, and even after Prime Day on June 21 and 22 -- with every deal at your fingertips throughout the event.
Comments
Like @I_Got_A_Bowl_Cut said Spotify is just a rounding error that has been struggling to survive for the last 10 years. Thats why they are always whining about Apple.
Spotify: *throws smoke bomb* Nevermind that, look at what we’re doing with podcasts!”
Very simple. It would cause a lot, lots of trouble for Apple to crush every single competitor and become another “standard oil”-that, is the real monopoly, not what people without any knowledge understand-. The function of Apple, as discussed, many times is to be where the puck is going to be, o better, set the direction; then as it has happened MANY times abandon the project (remember ipods?) and get into different directions. Apple is NOT, I repeat, not everything for everyone, or what everyone wants Apple to be. That dominance you dream of, would cause many problems. Smaller companies, absorbing technology to implement their systems and present solutions to their programs is more sought after by Apple. And management knows it, figure, they even have their own university to implement teaching of the future directions. They make enough money, indeed, without being the biggest one by products, or by systems. They keep their mouths shut, and either implement to perfection others’ developments, OR patiently, without panic create new ones. Apple business 101. Why to get away from its own niche.
There are some wonderful podcasts available but there is also a lot of stuff that is just repackaged broadcast audio.
Someone up the thread said Apple invented Podcasting. They did not, but they got in on it fairly early.