Apple's new podcast & CarPlay features after Scout FM buy-out

Apple is reportedly working on offering users a more comprehensive experience for podcast listening and CarPlay features.

It is integrating the technology of Scout FM into its software, a small company with three engineers which it quietly bought earlier this year.

The changes are expected to be available on Apple in early 2021, with the tech giant confirming the acquisition but providing no further details.

The story of the buy-out has been circulating for some weeks but was confirmed by Bloomberg, citing people aware of the deal.

Scout FM turned listening to podcasts into an experience akin to tuning into radio stations.

Instead of people individually picking from half a million podcasts from their app, Scout FM would combine their listening history and input preferences with artificial-intelligence to suggest a number of topic-linked podcast choices and create a customised radio station.

It was popular on iOS and Android apps as well as on smart speakers, like Amazon's Alexa-powered Echo devices.

Apple closed Scout FM as soon as it acquired its technology.

Once integrated into Apple software, its simplicity is expected to drive users to taking out subscriptions, create original podcasts that tie into Apple TV+ (according to Bloomberg) and serve as the latest shot across the bow in its battle with Spotify.

Scout FM is also expected to be introduced into CarPlay, which is accessed on car screens via an iPhone, and Apple’s Siri digital assistant.

Over recent months Apple has made some updates on CarPlay.

This includes the choice of five colours for wallpapers, rather than just white and black, and light mode switching.

A Settings app makes adjustments simpler.

Siri has been given a sleeker look, and can now send voice messages and via Maps send details of your expected time of arrival.