Apple finally lets users listen to podcasts directly on the web

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Apple is giving its podcast web pages a much needed update.

The Cupertino-based company is rolling out for all shows available via Apple Podcasts. One of the most notable changes? Users will finally be able to listen to podcast episodes directly, right on the Apple Podcast web pages for each show.

Image: Screenshot / Mashable

Playback controls on Apple Podcast pages are extremely limited — the only option is to press a play button next to each episode; there are no other control options, like fast forward or rewind. But this is a big step up from pushing users to open the iTunes app if they want to listen to a podcast episode.

Other design changes include more prominent podcast cover art, more accurate podcast rating numbers, and individual click-through pages for each podcast episode featuring full-show descriptions.

Image: SCREENSHOT / MASHABLE

The changes have yet to be rolled out to every podcast available via Apple. 

This update coincides with a new report that Apple is planning on into multiple apps, including a standalone Apple Podcast Mac app.

The design changes mirror updates to the company’s own Podcasts mobile app. Previously, Apple’s podcast page UI took after the old iTunes design. The interface for podcast pages remained unchanged for years, even well after Apple gave iTunes a much-needed makeover in 2017. 

The company has also updated its web designs for Apple Films and TV shows. (The podcast change is particularly notable, as it’s the only update to bring media playback directly to the web.)

Apple has long been a leader in the podcast market. However, its biggest streaming , Spotify, has been shoring up its own growing podcast division with a number of . These recent updates from Apple are not only much needed, they may also be signaling that Apple is ready to refocus its podcast efforts as well.