In this update, SmartStream Cache is enabled by default to improve the speed of resuming playback and reduce the need to re-buffer data when streaming. By preloading and caching segments of audio content in advance, SmartStream Cache aims to minimize interruptions, providing a smoother experience when resuming playback after pauses or network reconnections.
This feature will also allow you to play the file offline when the file has been fully cached. In this case, you can resume playback without a connection or continue listening if the connection drops.
The file content will remain cached until you start playing a different file. At that point, the cache is cleared, and the new file content is cached.
This feature also benefits podcasts that use Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI), as it can help reduce playback skips or stutters by preloading audio data more efficiently. When using DAI, there can be variability in the episode's structure and file duration due to dynamically inserted ad content. With SmartStream Cache, the entire file may load and be cached at once, which can help prevent interruptions if network quality fluctuates or reconnects are needed during playback.
SmartStream Cache works by leveraging ExoPlayer’s caching capabilities, temporarily storing audio data as it streams. This design enables faster resuming of episodes and reduces buffering when playback is restarted. While not specifically targeted at addressing all DAI-related issues, SmartStream Cache may improve playback consistency by limiting the need for repeated network requests, particularly beneficial when ads are inserted at the beginning or end of episodes.
This new feature is designed to help you automatically skip dynamically inserted ads at the beginning or end of podcast episodes.
When enabled, it compares the duration provided in the podcast's RSS feed with the actual duration of the downloaded or streamed file. If a significant difference is detected, the app adjusts playback accordingly.
For example, in podcasts like Latest Stories from the Associated Press, which often add between 25 and 60 seconds of ads at the end of their ~30-second episodes, this feature can be used to automatically skip these ads.
You can choose from the following options when enabling this feature: