Episode 17: Android: DoggCatcher [Discussion]

[riz]

It's an AppJudgment that YOU demanded! Ron Richards takes a look at DoggCatcher, a podcast manager for Android.

Watch or download this episode now!

[diskape]

I'm an iPhone user and in all honesty, iTunes with its podcast subscriptions is THE only reason why I haven't switched to an Android phone. I like this app but untill someone comes up with something that beats iTunes - or at leasts comes very close to it - I'll be stuck with Apple

[bendavis78]

I tried DoggCatcher a few months ago, and ditched it for BeyondPod. BeyondPod has all the same features (and then some), and is cheaper, too (well, it was 4.99 when I got it).

[dignan17]

Sweet! I'm glad Ron reviewed this (I'm the viewer he mentions in the episode).

I've tried the other podcast apps on Android, and in my opinion none of them match what Doggcatcher does.

bendavis78: let me ask you, is there an option in Beyondpod that will pause the playback if it detects that power has been removed? Doggcatcher does that, and can even make the distinction between AC and USB power (or both). Why is that so important? Well, I listen in my car, and it's nice to be able to park and unplug my phone and know that playback will stop.

That's just a small sample of the feature set that Doggcatcher has.

I found the review to be very fair, and won't disagree with anything Ron said. He's right that it's a little difficult to add feeds, and I also wonder where the app gets its data from. But for me, that's a minor annoyance. I just add the feeds I listen to and I'm off, and I rarely if ever go back to the feed adding area.

The last feature of Doggcatcher I'll mention: a devoted developer. I've written the developer often since I first downloaded the app (months and months ago), and he has added several of the features that I've suggested. He is very interested in hearing what his users have to say about the app, and is very accessible via email. That's something I'd never expect from Google's Listen app, which I have dozens of complaints about. I can't speak for Beyondpod in this area, but I'd be surprised if they were as attentive as the Doggcatcher dev is.

Anyway, this is easily my #1 most-used app. I drive a lot to make my living, so between that, working out, and cleaning up around the house, this app gets about 15 hours a week of use. I freaking love it!

gpodder in not bad.

[chriz]

Google has their own podcast app called Listen.
It's a nice app but needs some work like:
Not redownloading deleted podcasts
Or remembering the listen queue

http://www.cyrket.com/package/com.go...id.apps.listen

[ruprecht]

re Listen: isn't it audio only?

I'd like to try DoggCatcher, but my Market doesn't support paid apps yet. Is it possible to buy and download it offline, then install it to the phone?