crosspod

Crosspod is a term used to describe a proposed standard for cross-platform podcast distribution and playback synchronization. It envisions a unified data model and lightweight protocols that allow podcast apps, devices, and services to share episode metadata, streaming resources, and user playback state across environments. The aim is to reduce fragmentation in the podcast ecosystem and enable seamless continuation of listening from one device to another.

Origins and scope: The concept emerged in open-source and developer discussions in the early 2020s as podcasts grew across mobile, desktop, smart speakers, and car infotainment systems. It is not an officially ratified standard, but rather a set of ideas intended to guide interoperable implementations.

Technical overview: A crosspod specification would define a common episode object with identifiers, titles, durations, and media URLs, plus support for transcripts, chapter marks, and episode art. A state API would convey playback position, progress, and listening preferences. Transport may be HTTP-based, with optional WebSocket/XMPP-like events for real-time updates. Privacy controls and user consent would be central, with opt-in analytics and device-bound state sharing.

Adoption and impact: Several open-source podcast players and platform prototypes have experimented with crosspod-inspired data models and APIs. If widely adopted, crosspod could streamline search, recommendations, and playback continuity, but would face challenges around licensing, DRM, and competing platform interests.

Related topics include RSS feeds, podcast metadata standards, and media synchronization technologies.