Google quietly released their latest Android app today. Listen from Google Labs brings podcast search, subscribe, download and stream to your Android phone. Users can subscribe to podcasts and search terms to create an endless stream of content. Currently the app only indexes English audio podcasts, but Google mention’s on their site that support for video and other languages is in the works.
At this time Listen is only available for the Android platform. I’m starting to doubt if it would even get approved for the iPhone App Store since it “duplicates the functionality” of iTunes.
I’ve downloaded the app and it looks clean for a version 1.0 release. A search for “Android” quickly returned the AndroidGuys and MOTODEV podcasts. You can subscribe to any show by clicking a star to add it to your favorites. Podcasts can be streamed or downloaded to your SD card. Listen places an icon in the notification bar during playback so you can have easy control access when using other apps.
There are several competing podcast apps already on Android, but most of them are paid. Google is offering Listen as a free download and has raised the bar for other apps. For more info, check out the Listen discussion group.
Gallery
Related Posts
About The Author
Follow on Twitter Subscribe
Taylor Wimberly
Taylor is the founder of Android and Me. He loves playing with all kinds of gadgets, but most importantly cell phones. His other hobbies include cooking (BBQ hero!), politics, football, and watching every MMA event possible.
24 Comments
I’ve grabbed it as well, will let you know after a week how well it stacks up against BeyondPod which I have used up to know. I was suprised to see a google app with less than 50 downloads and only 2 ratings
I expect that to rise shortly.
That is exactly what I would like to know – how does it compare to the excellent BeyondPod?
It´s not available in the German market yet, what a shame…
Could someone send the apk to royisonandroid@gmail.com?
Could someone please upload this app somewhere other than the market?
Could someone send the apk to royisonandroid@gmail.com?
Sorry, forgot to add great post! Can’t wait to see your next post!
Same here in belgium … It’s like the access to paying apps. Why the hell do they wait so long before launching it :s
so far im liking it -nice thing about android is lots of new google toys
I love the app, a couple of bugs that crashed it from time to time, but overall a nice thing.
shame though that it’s not available in all markets.
my review: http://www.app-news.com/index.php/google-listen-brings-audio-search-android/
I like how I can search for keywords for subjects and not just podcast names. I do wish they’d include a way for users to enter a podcast URL directly, however.
very cool. Glad to see ppl can listen to our @motodev podcasts on their Android device. Also, UI is very simple and focuses on just a few key features: search, playing, and subscribing.
I’m trying to search for Listen on the Market and for some reason it isn’t showing up. I even scanned the 2d code from Google’s website and the search comes up empty. Did Google remove it already?
Yeah i’m getting the same results, tried the qcode and i get no search results. tmobile G2, USA market.
It’s up on the market now. I just downloaded it a while ago. Very nice, simple app.
all u guys complaining about the app not on ur market and what not … should use GOOGLE more… http://www.droidappz.com …. ur welcome
Google Listen version 1.0.2 is now available in Android Market.
Check http://listen.googlelabs.com/versions.html
great app. no crashes, remembers where you left off on multiple casts/shows… SprintHERO
Is there a PC version of this app too, so that you can download all the podcasts on your pc (not eating up your data plan) and syncing them with your android phone. (like itunes)
-Shayne
Not available either for Chile. I just don’t get the idea of versions not available worldwide. I don’t care if it isn’t localized yet.