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When it comes to choosing a podcast app, you want to ensure that you have the best possible design, features, and user experience. In the video below, Stephen Robles compares two popular podcast apps, Apple Podcasts and Pocket Casts, focusing on these key aspects to help you make an informed decision. Design and User Interface
Apple Podcasts offers a visually appealing interface with unique show art and custom episode artwork that enhances the overall aesthetic. The app also features a well-designed transcript view that makes it easy to follow along with the audio content. On the other hand, Pocket Casts has a more utilitarian design that prioritizes functionality over visual flair. The app features a customizable icon grid and easy chapter navigation, making it highly user-friendly and intuitive to use. Apple Podcasts: Visually appealing interface with unique show art and custom episode artwork
Pocket Casts: Utilitarian design with a customizable icon grid and easy chapter navigation
Transcript Functionality
One area where Apple Podcasts excels is in its transcript functionality. The app offers live-following, searchable transcripts that allow you to follow along with the audio in real-time. This feature is particularly useful for those who prefer to read along with the audio or for those who need to quickly find a specific part of the podcast. Unfortunately, Pocket Casts does not currently offer a transcript feature, which might be a drawback for some users who rely on this functionality. Queue Management
Managing your podcast queue is crucial for a seamless listening experience, and this is an area where Pocket Casts shines. Apple Podcasts has a somewhat confusing UpNext management system that includes multiple lists, such as continue playing, queue, and the Home tab. This can make it difficult to keep track of your listening queue and can lead to frustration. In contrast, Pocket Casts provides a clear and stable UpNext queue that allows you to easily reorder episodes and use swipe gestures to add them to your queue. Apple Podcasts: Confusing UpNext management system with multiple lists
Pocket Casts: Clear and stable UpNext queue with easy reordering and swipe gestures
Customization and Settings
Customization options can significantly enhance your podcast listening experience, and Pocket Casts offers a wide range of settings to tailor the app to your preferences. While Apple Podcasts provides limited settings per show, Pocket Casts allows you to adjust playback speed, trim silence, and even skip intros and outros. These features give you greater control over your listening experience and can save you time by eliminating unnecessary content. Show Notes and Formatting
Show notes are an essential part of the podcast experience, providing additional context and information about the episode. Unfortunately, Apple Podcasts struggles with poor formatting and a character limit that can make it difficult to access and read show notes. Pocket Casts, on the other hand, excels in this area with excellent formatting and no character limit, ensuring that you have access to all the relevant information about each episode. Playback Syncing Across Devices
Consistent playback syncing across devices is vital for an uninterrupted listening experience, and this is an area where Pocket Casts outperforms Apple Podcasts. While Apple Podcasts has improved in recent years, it still shows inconsistencies in syncing across devices, which can be frustrating for users. Pocket Casts, however, offers flawless syncing across all devices, including iPad and Apple Watch, ensuring that you can pick up right where you left off, no matter which device you’re using. Apple Watch App Functionality
For those who use an Apple Watch, the functionality of the podcast app on the watch is crucial. Apple Podcasts provides basic functionality but lacks clarity in playback source, which can be confusing for users. Pocket Casts, on the other hand, offers clear navigation, distinct playback sources, and easy episode management, making it a better choice for Apple Watch users who want a seamless and intuitive experience. Advanced Features
In addition to the core features discussed above, Pocket Casts also offers a range of advanced features that set it apart from other podcast apps. These include:
Chapter pre-selection: Allows you to easily navigate to specific chapters within an episode
Bookmarking episodes and timestamps: Enables you to save your place in an episode or mark specific moments for later reference
Custom file addition: Allows you to add your own audio files to the app for a personalized listening experience
Visual playback progress: Provides a visual representation of your progress through an episode
Per-podcast search: Enables you to search for specific episodes or topics within a particular podcast
Custom filters: Allows you to create custom filters to organize and sort your podcast library
These advanced features enhance your podcast listening experience, offering more control, customization, and convenience. In conclusion, while both Apple Podcasts and Pocket Casts have their strengths, Pocket Casts offers a more robust and user-friendly experience overall. With its superior queue management, extensive customization options, and a range of advanced features, Pocket Casts provides a seamless and enjoyable podcast listening experience. While Apple Podcasts has strong design elements and transcript capabilities, it falls short in terms of queue management and customization. For those seeking a feature-rich and intuitive podcast app, Pocket Casts is the clear winner.

Apple Podcasts vs. Pocket Casts (Video)

Maiden flight of the biomimetic adaptable wing establishes baseline for future fuel consumption reductions, sets milestone for ground testing and flights beginning 2024. Photo credit: Airbus
Led by Airbus subsidiary and technology incubator UpNext (Madrid, Spain), the eXtra Performance Wing project, an initiative aimed at redefining aircraft wing technology to enhance flight performance and address environmental concerns, is showing continued progress. Through the application of biomimicry , the project endeavors to create a dynamically adjustable wing that maximizes aerodynamic efficiency in-flight, with the potential to substantially decrease fuel consumption. The successful November maiden flight of the demonstrator, equipped with the final systems for eXtra Performance Wings, sets a crucial milestone for the project. Data gathered from subsequent flight tests will provide valuable metrics to assess the impact of this innovative wing design, including reductions in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. While the eXtra Performance Wing technology holds relevance for various aircraft and propulsion systems, the chosen demonstrator is a modified Cessna Citation VII business jet. With a targeted wingspan of more than 50 meters for the eXtra wing, the Cessna’s 16-meter wingspan, approximately one-third of the final design, strikes a balance between project complexity and design representation. Launched in September 2021 as part of Airbus’ Wing Research portfolio, the eXtra Performance Wing project complements the Wing of Tomorrow program , exploring technologies for the next-generation of Airbus aircraft. Airbus UpNext is dedicated to accelerating future technologies through agile development and breakthrough innovation. The project’s ultimate objective is to offer adaptable wing configurations that dynamically respond to flight conditions, incorporating active control technologies and physical wing structure modifications. Gust sensors on the aircraft’s front will detect turbulence changes, triggering relevant, automatic adjustments to optimize aerodynamic flow. Additionally, hinged wingtips serve a dual purpose, preventing exceedance of maximum wingspan length on the ground and adjusting in-flight to alleviate wing pressure. These wingtips also enable an extended span for increased lift and reduced drag. Extensive testing of a 3D-printed wind-tunnel model at Airbus’ wing research facility in Filton, U.K., has confirmed the concept’s feasibility. Manufacturing of various wing components is already underway, with contributions from Airbus’ four founding nations: the U.K. for wings, Spain for folding wingtips and Germany for the high lift system. Modification and assembly of the aircraft will take place in France. Following initial flight testing, the demonstrator will be based in Cazaux, France, equipped with a remote operation system for communication testing. In 2024, the eXtra Performance Wings will be integrated and undergo ground testing, with first flights scheduled for 2025. Remote piloting during flight testing will enable engineers to push the technologies to their limits, according to Airbus. The Cessna demonstrator, not intended for production, will not require human flight certification, allowing for comprehensive testing. “We have a real opportunity here to make a contribution to reducing fuel burn,” Sebastien Blac, eXtra Performance Wing technical director, emphasizes. “Just having the potential to change the aerospace industry like this is huge.”

Airbus eXtra Performance Wind demonstrator makes first flight

United Natural Foods Wraps Up Natural Winter Show in Las Vegas – Helps Retailers Prepare for Holiday Selling Season
United Natural Foods Wraps Up Natural Winter Show in Las Vegas – Helps Retailers Prepare for Holiday Selling Season
PROVIDENCE, R.I.–United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE: UNFI) (the “Company” or “UNFI”) today completed its 2023 schedule of shows and events, concluding it with a successful Natural Winter Show in Las Vegas, NV, which wrapped up on Thursday, September 28. Throughout the two-day event more than 2,000 attendees, representing hundreds of UNFI customers from across North America, connected with UNFI’s extensive community of suppliers offering a wide-ranging assortment across grocery, fresh, organic and specialty departments. The show also featured UNFI’s Professional Services offerings to retailers, which drive traffic, save time and money, and enhance the shoppers’ experience. “Through events like this week’s Las Vegas show, they work alongside our team to help us identify new and trending products, source great deals, and assist in supplier negotiations that are impactful to our merchandising plans. They are instrumental to our continued growth and success.” Tweet this
“The UNFI shows physically connect our community of customers and suppliers in a way that creates real value for everyone,” said Steve Dietz, Chief Customer Officer at UNFI. “This natural show really showcased the innovation and passion from our natural and organic manufacturing partners and enabled retailers to discover new items that deliver the differentiated value proposition consumers expect from their local grocer, helping them remain competitive in their marketplace.”
This year’s UNFI Natural Winter Show included:
More than 2,000 attendees, including domestic and international retailers and suppliers. Over 580 suppliers covering more than 75,000 square feet showcasing more than 800 brands. Hundreds of new products, with more than 40 selected and featured in UNFI’s New Product Showcase Area and more than 35 highlighted as UpNext emerging brands. The second appearance of the UNFI Food Safety and Quality Assurance team to help retailers navigate the new FDA rules on food traceability. UNFI Professional Services experts providing solutions in Retail Technology, Store Operations, and Retail Marketing that help retailers reduce expenses, drive revenue, and enhance their customer’s shopping experience. “UNFI is just a terrific partner in so many aspects of our business,” said Saj Khan, VP of Grocery Operations & Purchasing at Nugget Markets. “Through events like this week’s Las Vegas show, they work alongside our team to help us identify new and trending products, source great deals, and assist in supplier negotiations that are impactful to our merchandising plans. They are instrumental to our continued growth and success.”
One of the more unique aspects of UNFI shows is the Pitch Slam competition, presented by UNFI UpNext. The UNFI UpNext team discovers and mentors emerging brands, guiding their path to growth while helping deliver UNFI customers a regionally sourced, differentiated product mix. Pitch Slam pits UpNext suppliers alongside each other in a friendly and fun elevator pitch style competition. This year’s winner of the UNFI Natural Winter Show Pitch Slam was Ruby Hibiscus Water, a sparkling organic soda. Noah Wunsch, founder of Ruby Hibiscus, said, “I’m so unbelievably grateful for such an exceptional group to acknowledge our up and coming brand, organic sparkling hibiscus line! We believe in clean and organic ingredients, with functional benefits, and it means the world to us to see that you all do as well.”
UNFI changing its show schedule for 2024. Beginning in January 2024, to further reinforce UNFI’s customer and supplier-focused transformation, all UNFI selling shows will support both the natural and conventional supplier and customer channels, showcasing the Company’s unique and differentiated supply chain. UNFI’s 2024 Spring and Summer shows will be held February 7-8 in San Diego (West), and February 20-21 in Orlando (Central and East). As for the UNFI Holiday and Winter shows, they’ll be held June 4-5 in Uncasville, CT (East), and August 6-7 in Minneapolis (Central and West), respectively. For more information on UNFI Shows, customers or suppliers can visit:  https://www.unfi.com/shows-events  or email  events@unfi.com . About UNFI
UNFI is North America’s premier grocery wholesaler delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to more than 30,000 locations throughout North America, including natural product superstores, independent retailers, conventional supermarket chains, ecommerce providers, and food service customers. UNFI also provides a broad range of value-added services and segmented marketing expertise, including proprietary technology, data, market insights, and shelf management to help customers and suppliers build their businesses and brands. As the largest full-service grocery partner in North America, UNFI is committed to building a food system that is better for all and is uniquely positioned to deliver great food, more choices, and fresh thinking to customers. To learn more about how UNFI is delivering value for its stakeholders, visit  www.unfi.com .

United Natural Foods Wraps Up Natural Winter Show in Las Vegas – Helps Retailers Prepare for Holiday Selling Season

500 Global , one of the world’s most active venture capital firms1, whose portfolio includes notable technology companies including Canva, GitLab, and Grab, announced a new summit bringing together venture capital investors , asset allocators, innovators, and policymakers to discuss a shared future for technology and innovation. The future of venture capital asks stakeholders to become more active in designing strategies and policies that ignite social and economic value. The UpNext Summit on Oct. 5th in Washington D.C., will bring together stakeholders for a global dialogue that aims to lead to action. During the event, 500 Global will unveil its new research, the 500 Global Rise Report, which presents a blueprint for innovation in emerging and established markets alike. “Venture Capital and Innovation is at the center of not only the alternative investment industry but also on the agenda of transformational institutions, corporations, and nations. By understanding and investing in venture capital you are contributing to the innovation locally and globally.”
Confirmed speakers include:
Bobby Franklin – President, NVCA
Shu Nyatta – Founder & Managing Partner, Bicycle Capital
Magdalena Coronel – Chief Investment Officer, IDB Lab
Dami Osunsanya – Opportunity Fund, Founded by SoftBank Group
Ham Serunjogi – CEO and Cofounder, Chipper Cash
Henry Ward – CEO, Carta
Kola Owodunni – CIO at the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority
L. Felice Gorordo – Alternate Executive Director, The World Bank
Eleni Gabre-Madhin – Chief Innovation Officer, Regional Bureau for Africa, UNDP
HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar – Saudi Ambassador to the United States
Areije Al Shakar – Director & Fund Manager, Al Waha
“The next decade of tech innovation and venture capital will be global first. We believe our imperative as investors, policymakers, and thought leaders is to work together in fostering innovation around the world and creating lasting positive impact,” said Christine Tsai, CEO and Founding Partner at 500 Global. Global markets have differing views on the level of positive impact technology brings, but many continue to see innovation and entrepreneurship as an important path to prosperity and economic growth. Tech companies feel challenged to navigate an asymmetrical global regulatory landscape, and policymakers are challenged to find the right balance between concerns such as security, privacy, innovation, and economic growth. UpNext is designed to be a forum where these stakeholders can highlight the most pressing issues of today in creating a sustainable ecosystem that promotes innovation and global growth while boosting competitiveness and ensuring national security. “Achieving the Silicon Valley dream doesn’t mean following the same playbook,” said Courtney Powell, COO and Managing Partner at 500 Global. “We believe harnessing the collective potential of all stakeholders to create sustainable startup ecosystems that effectively serve the needs of these rising economies requires a collaborative approach.”
The agenda for the event includes four summit segments that dive into:
Rise of a New Era of Global Tech: Explore tech’s global landscape and some of the policy challenges. How can the investment community support a shared future for technology and innovation? Evolving VC and Policy for Innovation
US vs. China: A Race for Tech Supremacy? The Global Opportunity
Rise of the Next Global Companies: Explore the acceleration of startup activity worldwide and the rise of global unicorns. Investing in Diverse Founders, Geographies, and Portfolios for Impact and Innovation
Developing Infrastructure for Entrepreneurship
The Rise of the Next Global Economies: Discover the fast-growing Rise Economies that play a role in reshaping the global economic landscape. Africa on the Rise: Developing Sustainable Innovation Ecosystems
Latin American Innovation
Southeast Asian Success
Quantum Computing: Supporting Green Growth
Blockchain Challenges in Shaping Our New Economic Paradigm
Teaching AI to be Better
Additional comments from esteemed speakers include:
“As it relates to public policy, today’s entrepreneurial ecosystem faces both unprecedented challenges and immense opportunities. UpNext is an excellent example of the industry-wide engagement that will be necessary to take advantage of possibilities and limit downsides.” – Bobby Franklin, President, National Venture Capital Association
“We are at an incredible inflection point for innovation and it’s our job to accelerate, enable and support these companies whose ideas will change our future. I can’t wait to see what new possibilities and new owners will bring into the world in the coming years.” – Henry Ward, CEO of Carta
“The next era of venture capital and innovation is poised to see continued growth and diversification, with a heightened role for institutional investors like sovereign wealth funds, driving global technological advancements and economic transformation.” – Kola Owodunni, CIO at the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority
“Innovation is what powers our global economy. Venture capital is the best window into what the future holds for sectors where innovation is rapidly making advancements that will help our people and planet.” – Alifia Doriwala, Partner and Chief Investment Officer at RockCreek
“Venture Capital and Innovation is at the center of not only the alternative investment industry but also on the agenda of transformational institutions, corporations, and nations. By understanding and investing in venture capital you are contributing to the innovation locally and globally.” – Areije Al Shakar, Director & Fund Manager, Al Waha

500 Global Brings Policy, Tech and Venture Capital Together for the Next Decade of Innovation

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UpNext provides users with a 3-dimensional view to explore any city in the U.S. using smartphones. It offers tappable buildings, detailed venue information, reviews, fun personalization options, and up-to-date subway lines. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in New York, New York. In July 2012, UpNext was acquired by Amazon.

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