This American Life

So of course I love TAL. I look forward to it all week and it makes my commute very enjoyable. The thing is, of course I almost never listen to a single episode all at once, I listen while I’m driving so I stop it when I get out of the car and resume where I left off when I get back. The iPhone podcast app has never had a problem saving my place and immediately picking up where I left off once I start my car again. This app though? It happens only about half the time, sometimes the episode will resume as normal, and sometimes it resets to the beginning. It’s of course really frustrating when that happens, because then I have to scroll around and listen for the point where I left off. It’s a hassle. It’s the only problem I have with this app and if they fix it I will update my review to five stars. Until then, I’m going back to listening to TAL on the podcast app.

So let me say I love This American Life. I chose to purchase this app because the sales pitch was: buy this app so that you can access the entire TAL archives. Then a week or two in to my purchase they locked out access to the archives. Not sure if it's a bug or not. There are 50-60 available still through staff favorites page etc. but that's not what was advertised. I see there is a live stream to listen to episodes randomly but it doesn't seem to connect. And if I'm going to listen while I have no cell service then I need to download ahead of time which I can't do with the live stream. So what's the deal? Fix the app and get it back to the original idea. Bottom line, I paid money to download the app so that i can listen to my selection from the archives and that doesn't work! UPDATE********** They have redesigned the app and they are back on track. I just started using the new version but it seems to be everything that was promised. Way to go TAL! You heard the criticism and responded with a great update! I love that I can search episodes by different info. For example if my friend says, “hey I was listening to episode 432 and it so crazy!” I can go search ep 432 download and listen. Changing my review to 5 stars!!! Thanks for making a great product!

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Like everyone else here, I love the show, but I really hate this app. The old version certainly wasn't perfect, but at least it worked! This app used to be the only thing that made my commute bearable...and now it's ruined! It takes forever to respond to commands, like play or pause, forward or rewind. Sometimes it just doesn't respond at all. All the episodes I marked as heard are now no longer marked as such. It's no longer possible to pause your listening, quit the app, and pick up where you left off. I really hope the devs are seeing these reviews! What could have possessed them to release this shoddy upgrade??!! ------------------- Apparently TAL can't seem to find someone who knows how to write an app that works. The same head-bangingly frustrating problems exist after purported "bug fixes" in the latest update. But now there's an added bonus! Now some of the episodes won't play at all! You tap "Play," and nothing happens! Same thing when you tap "Download"—nothing, nada, zip! It's just so AWESOME! I would love to hear Ira address this problem on the show. He owes an apology to his listeners. Except, of course, we'd never be able to hear it unless we caught it on the radio.

I've been reviewing some of the app reviews, & I am baffled on how many people are complaining that the app has 'bugs'. I haven't noticed any glitches, bugs, or anything of that sort. So, I am not sure if it depends upon the type of phone or devise you're using, but I listen to this app on both; iPhone7+ & my iPad. Both devices play my app w/out any issues, (used on both; WiFi &Data Plan). So., in short the App is Wonderful, I personally haven't noticed any of the negative things that have been reported on the app Review. If you're new to 'THIS AMERICAN LIFE' - & contemplating on whether-or-not you want to spend the $1.99 or $2.99... well don't contemplate ... because I can promise you, you won't regret it!!! This app has been the only reason I have been able to make the loooong drives back & forth to Oregon (from CA). On a monthly basis. I LoVe LoVe LoVe this ApP!! I ❤️ Ira Glass!!!

A log in option would be nice. I have hundreds of shows marked as "heard it" on my work phone. I'm being promoted to our corporate office and I'll get a new work phone. This means aaaaaaaaall my history will go away when I delete the app. I also listen on my computer during the day time and it would be nice if the information would sync with my application. I LOVE the show soooooooo much. You guys have helped me make it through a year of a one hour commute to work. I'm sure that TAL is one of the main reasons I lasted this long with that horrible commute. Now I'll be working from home sometimes and have a shorter commute on other days. I'll have to listen to one show a day verses the two a day I used to look forward to. Thanks so much for making my drive enjoyable. I love you guys!