Apple releases dedicated podcast app for iOS

The rumors were true. Apple had removed podcasts from its iTunes iOS app to launch a dedicated Podcasts app, which it has released on the App Store moments ago. The few minutes I have played with the new app are enough for me to realize that Apple will be pushing podcasts more aggressively than it has so far.
Just like the App Store, the podcast app has a carousel of “New & Noteworthy” podcasts on the home screen that makes it easier to discover new, locally relevant podcasts. I’m not sure about this but I could find local podcasts from Radio Mirchi, NDTV and others, that were either not present earlier or were simply hidden in the crowd.
In all probability, Podcasts will become a stock app in iOS 6 and I expect Apple to ramp up its collection of podcasts by partnering with content generators by the time iOS 6 is ready for prime time. You can download Podcasts by Apple here.