Google has launched a new version of its Podcasts app. And, for the first time ever, Google Podcasts is now available on iOS as well as Android. What's more, across both mobile platforms, Google has redesigned the Podcasts app to make it easier to use.

Google Wants You to Listen to Podcasts

Podcasts have been around for longer than you might think. However, they have massively grown in popularity in recent years to become a medium in their own right. The two issues are choosing the best app to listen to them on, and finding new podcasts to listen to.

Google thinks it has solved both of these issues with the new version of Google Podcasts. Now available on both Android and iOS, according to The Keyword, Podcasts has been redesigned to make it easier than ever to listen to, organize, and discover podcasts.

How to Use the New Google Podcasts

The new Google Podcasts boasts three main tabs: Home, Explore, and Activity.

Home provides you with a feed of new episodes and quick access to the shows you subscribe to. Selecting an episode will reveal the topics discussed in that episode. You can then learn more about those topics by jumping over to Google Search.

new Google Podcasts app

Explore is where you'll find new podcasts to listen to. The "For You" tab will feature new shows and episodes of shows Google thinks you'll enjoy. To the right of that are other tabs recommending popular podcasts across a range of different categories.

Activity is where you'll find everything you have been doing on Google Podcasts. This includes episodes you have already listened to, episodes you have queued up to listen to, which episodes you have downloaded, and which podcasts you're subscribed to.

Download: Google Podcasts on iOS | Android

Other Podcasts Apps on Android and iOS

Google faces a tough time persuading iPhone users to switch from Apple Podcasts to Google Podcasts. And there are plenty of alternatives on both operating systems. So, here are the best podcast apps for Android and the best podcast apps for iOS.

While Google Podcasts is all about helping you listen to podcasts, perhaps you would prefer to record your own podcast instead. Now is as good a time as any, and all you need is an original idea in your head and the right equipment to start podcasting.