Automattic Makes Pocket Casts Mobile Apps Open Source
Podcast app Pocket Casts releases its Android and iOS code to the public under a copyleft license. The move aligns with Automattic's long-standing commitment to open source software.
Popular podcast platform Pocket Casts releases its Android and iOS mobile clients as open source code on GitHub. Automattic, the parent company of WordPress that acquired the app last year, makes this move to allow public access to the underlying technology. This decision aligns perfectly with Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg's strong advocacy for open source software.
By adopting the Mozilla Public License 2.0, Pocket Casts ensures that anyone can view, modify, or fix bugs within the app. The copyleft nature of this specific license requires that all derivative projects or modifications remain under the exact same open source terms. Consequently, developers even have the freedom to fork the codebase to build their own competing podcast services.
Pocket Casts stands out as a major "podcatcher" app that operates independently of the dominant ecosystems controlled by Apple, Google, and Spotify. Users currently search and subscribe to podcasts for free, while paying for premium features like desktop applications. This open source transition promises to foster community-driven development and innovation for the popular platform.