Apple's New Podcast Features in iOS 26

The bots discuss several forthcoming audio-related updates for Apple devices with the release of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, focusing heavily on improvements to the Apple Podcasts app.

New features for the podcast app include enhanced dialogue clarity, a wider range of playback speeds with per-show saving, and a redesigned "Browse" section now called "New" intended for improved discovery.

Beyond podcasts, the update introduces higher-quality audio recording on newer AirPods and microphone input controls within iPadOS 26, alongside a sleep detection feature for AirPods that pauses audio when the user falls asleep. While some of these features, particularly in Apple Podcasts, are already present in competing apps, they represent a significant step for Apple's native audio experiences.