Overcast Podcast Player Adds Apple CarPlay Support; 9 Apps Now Supported

Overcast Podcast Player has become the latest CarPlay-compatible third-party app. The list of third-party apps is slowly but surely growing. With Overcast, that number now stands at nine.

Here are some more details about Overcast and why its addition to the CarPlay list might be significant...

Overcast: Podcast Player (App Store description)

A powerful yet simple audio podcast player, with features such as Smart Speed, Voice Boost, and Smarter Playlists to help you listen to more podcasts in more places, try new shows, and completely control your experience.

Note: Some features are locked or limited. The single "Unlock Everything" in-app purchase unlocks them all.

Overcast is a modern, fully featured audio podcast player with many useful features in a simple, intuitive interface:

- Download podcasts for playing anytime, even when offline.
- Search and browse for new podcasts, plus get recommendations from Twitter.
- Create custom Playlists with smart filters and per-podcast priorities, and rearrange the list whenever you want.
- Receive optional push notifications when new episodes arrive.
- Subscribe to a podcast, or just add an episode: try new shows without committing.
- Download podcasts over cellular, set a sleep timer, or use Voice Boost to enhance and normalize speech volume. (Included in Unlock Everything.)
- Adjust playback speed, and use Smart Speed to pick up extra speed without distorting the conversation. (Included in Unlock Everything.)

- Navigate with CarPlay. (On supported car radios.)

Link to download: Overcast Podcast Player from the App Store.

The app is free to download from the App Store but an in-app purchase of $4.99 is required to unlock some features (mentioned in the description).

Overcast has a standard CarPlay interface. It is similar to the Podcasts app. Initial reviews of the app have been largely positive. CarPlay offers other options for listening to audio podcasts through third-party apps. Apart from Apple's own Podcasts app, listeners can also use Stitcher Radio.

Here's the full list of CarPlay-compatible third-party apps after the addition of Overcast from Apple's website...

Podcasts
Beats Music
iHeartRadio
MLB At Bat
Spotify
Stitcher
CBS Radio
Rdio
Overcast

The developer behind Overcast is Marco Arment. Visit the Overcast website for more details, and especially look at the FAQ section, which I found interesting. The app is essentially the first independent app to become CarPlay compatible. Up until now it has been larger service apps. Could this mean Apple opens up the door a little more for independently developed apps to be added to CarPlay? Time will tell.