Apple Podcasts celebrates 20 years: from iTunes to a standalone service and a top 20 shows list
30.06.2025 | 18:50 |In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of podcasting's launch within iTunes, which first occurred on June 28, 2005, Apple has unveiled a curated list of the 20 best podcasts, selected by the Apple Podcasts editorial team. This milestone represents a significant advancement in the evolution of digital audio content. The distinguished list features acclaimed shows such as Serial, This American Life, Las Culturistas, Call Her Daddy, The Daily, Acquired, and Baby, this is Keke Palmer.
Podcasts initially became accessible in iTunes with the release of version 4.9 in June 2005.
In 2012, Apple introduced a dedicated mobile application for podcasts. By October 2014, it became a pre-installed application on iOS devices. By 2021, the Apple Podcasts catalog had expanded to include over two million shows. Today, podcast accessibility has considerably broadened, allowing playback on devices running iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, CarPlay, Windows, and Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.
In 2024, Apple launched a web version of Apple Podcasts at podcasts.apple.com, making the service accessible via popular browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. The web version facilitates podcast listening without mandatory Apple ID authentication. However, logging in with an Apple ID unlocks additional features, including access to a personal library, notes, and playback queue customization.
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