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wouldn't this be the same as initiating the download as you prepare to leave the house? you'll still have to wait the 2-6 minutes for the podcast

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I'm a very casual podcast listener. I pull up the stock iOS podcast app, hit the podcast I want to listen to, and it streams (plays) while downloading. On non-wifi it takes maybe 4 seconds to start.

Is this unusual? Do other apps make you wait for the whole 'cast to download? Is it a per-podcast thing?

This assumes that you're somewhere with wifi (or 3/4G, I suppose). I do a good chunk of my iPhone media consumption during my commute via the subway - there's no internet underground, so everything needs to be pre-downloaded.

Sure, but my way means that I get in my car and my podcasts are refreshed, or at least they are when I hit the first set of lights.

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