Google has announced plans to retire its Podcasts app, directing users towards YouTube Music by 2024, prompting Android users to explore alternative options.
Google Podcasts is the latest application to be shelved, as the tech giant accentuates its focus on YouTube Music.
Google’s transition from its Play Music service to YouTube in 2018 received mixed reviews from users, some appreciating the change while others, preferring to listen rather than watch music, found no enhancement with the YouTube Music interface.
As detailed on the YouTube blog, Google intends to terminate the Podcasts app “later in 2024,” perpetuating its practice of amalgamating the features of discontinued apps into others.
“Over the coming months, podcasts in YouTube Music will be made available globally and we will start rolling out tools that will enable you to transfer your podcast show subscriptions from Google Podcasts,” the statement read.
“In YouTube Music, you will be able to listen to your podcasts just like you did on Google Podcasts, with no paid subscription required. If YouTube Music isn’t for you, there will also be an option to download a file of your show subscriptions, which you can upload to an app that supports their import.”
Last September, Google announced the suspension of new domain sales as it prepares to hand over Google Domains to the renowned website builder, Squarespace.
Google Domains stopped offering domains to both new and existing users. Interestingly, this information was only evident on the Domains website when accessed incognito or when signed out.
Despite the absence of a widespread email notification, a few astute users picked up on the change immediately.
Now, the Domains website encourages users to procure domains via Squarespace, and notably, through an affiliate link. “For new domain registrations, consider Squarespace,” suggests the site.
