Fountain 0.7 - New Podcast Library, Transcripts, Performance Upgrades & Live (beta)
Podcast lovers will be delighted by the powerful features in the latest Fountain update.
New Podcast Library
We want Fountain to be the most powerful podcast app out there. That’s why we have introduced a number of updates and new features that give you complete control over your podcast library.
The first thing you will notice when you get the latest update is that the Podcasts page has been renamed Library. At the top of the page you will see a few tabs that you will be familiar with and some that are new:
Queue: Add episodes and clips to your queue to enjoy uninterrupted listening.
Episodes: Find the latest episodes from the shows you follow or episodes you have added. Filter by starred and downloaded episodes or set up your own custom filter tags.
Shows: Find all the shows you follow and filter the list to only see shows that have recently published new episodes or view your custom filter tags.
Clips: Any clips you add to your Library will appear under All. You can also filter the list to only see clips you have published or drafted.
Playlists: Any public or private clip playlists you’ve created will appear here. Playlists available with Fountain Premium.
We have also introduced some highly-requested features to the Library:
Sorting
You can now sort items in your library. Combined with the filter tags, it’s now easier than ever before to organise your collection and find what you’re looking for.
Sort episodes by newest to oldest
Sort shows alphabetically
Sort clips by newest to oldest or alphabetically
Sort playlists alphabetically
Auto Delete
Avoid downloaded episodes from taking up unnecessary storage on your device after you’ve listened to them. Auto delete after 30 days will be turned on by default for all users but you can update your auto delete preferences in the settings menu.
Mark As Played
You can now mark an episode as played from the menu on the episode page or content card. You can update your auto delete preferences so that episodes are deleted once played to get the most out of this feature.
Show Settings
Save custom settings for specific shows you are following and enjoy more personalised control over how you like to listen to them. To change your preferences for individual shows, press the settings icon on the show page to see the following options:
Auto queue new episodes
Auto download new episodes
Set your preferred playback speed
Set your sats per minute when streaming
Transcripts
Fountain now supports the <podcast:transcript> tag so you can read along as you listen. Not only will transcripts show up in Fountain if they have been provided by the podcaster, but transcripts for every episode are also available on-demand. You can also search transcripts and find a specific point to start playing from - and you can access them offline. Just tap the transcript button on the player or go to the transcript tab on any episode page.
Here’s how transcripts work in Fountain:
Fountain Premium Users: Get unlimited transcripts on demand for any podcast with Fountain Premium for just £2.99 a month.
All Other Users: Pay a fee of $0.50 (around 2000 sats) for every hour of audio transcription. If a transcript has already been made available by the podcaster or by another user, you will get it for free.
Podcasters: Get audio transcripts of all new episodes and make them available to your listeners for free if you have claimed your show on Fountain. If your podcast includes SRT, X-SUBRIP or JSON transcripts in your RSS feed, they will already be available in Fountain.
Thanks to our partnership with Deepgram, transcripts on Fountain are:
Fast: Transcripts for an hour long episode are generated in under 30 seconds.
Accurate: Detect languages, differentiate between speakers and accurately translate speech to text regardless of audio quality.
Cheap: Transcribe an hour-long episode for just $0.50 or get unlimited transcripts on demand with Fountain Premium.
Performance & UX Upgrades
Page loading speeds: We now cache pages you’ve already visited, making the app feel much faster.
New episode syncing: When new episodes are released, they will now appear on Fountain without delay.
Push notifications: Customise your settings to receive push notifications when someone follows you, likes one of your clips or comments, replies to one of your clips or comments, or when new episodes are released for specific shows.
Show notes: Tap the info button on any show or episode card to read more
Live (beta)
Fountain now supports the <podcast:liveItem> tag so you can participate in real time as the podcast is being recorded. Boosting and streaming sats works exactly the same for livestreams as it does for regular episodes, so the experience becomes fully interactive.
Once a livestream has been scheduled, you will see a content card on the Show page that tells you when it will begin. If you follow the show, it will also be pinned to the top of your Library.
When the livestream begins, we will send you a push notification that will take you to the livestream page in the app. Make sure you have your push notifications for new episodes switched on.
During the livestream, you can pause/play the audio but will not be able to skip forward or back. You can also support the podcast by streaming and boosting, as well as reply to other users.
When the livestream ends, the page and all of the comments will still be there, although you won’t be able to replay it from the start.
This is a beta feature, so we really appreciate any feedback you can share back with us after playing around with it.
Your feedback helps us make Fountain better. If you’re experiencing any issues, please share them with us via the main menu in the app.
Want to help test new features before they get released? Join Fountain Beta on Telegram to get access. All iOS and Android users welcome.