When comparing Uber vs Downcast, the Slant community recommends Downcast for most people. In the question“What are the most useful Android phone apps?” Downcast is ranked 21st while Uber is ranked 40th. The most important reason people chose Downcast is:
Downcast can be set to automatically download new episodes of podcasts in the background.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Choice of 5 basic services
UberX and UberXL are the cheapest services where driver's use their own cars. Can seat 4 or 6 people respectively.
UberBlack and UberSUV are premium services with licensed drivers and cars. Can seat 4 or 6 people respectively.
UberTaxi is a service that requests a taxi via the app.
Pro Good user interface
First time starting the app requires creating an account, confirming phone number, and adding billing info.
Each time the app is started a map is presented that allows setting a pickup location. Choice of service at the bottom. Estimated pickup time. Once that's done the app asks to confirm billing information.
Pro Carpooling service can save up to 40%
Pro Drivers are vetted rigorously
Pro Can play music in any music-enabled Uber via Spotify
Pro Insured under required commercial livery/taxi license
Pro Generally professional drivers
Uber drivers have excellent street knowledge and well dressed (there's suggested attire for drivers).
Pro Auto-downloads podcasts
Downcast can be set to automatically download new episodes of podcasts in the background.
Pro Adjustable playback speed
You can change the playback speed to fit your needs up to 3x the speed.
Pro Sync between iOS devices
Downcast can synchronize podcasts and settings across iOS devices through iCloud.
Pro Accesses iTunes podcast library
Pro Supports password-protected feeds
Pro Gesture shortcuts
Downcast supports multi-touch gestures for navigating around.
Pro Sleep timer
You can set Downcast to shut off podcasts after a set amount of time.
Pro Adjustable skip interval
Pro Set the end time to be x seconds / minutes from the end time.
The ability to set the end time to be x seconds / minutes from the end is so excellent.
Pro Set the start time to be x seconds / minutes from the start time.
The ability to set the start time to be x seconds / minutes from the start time is amazing.
Pro Straightforward discovery system with feed support
This app helps users subscribe to podcasts through browsing top lists and categories as well as entering a feed or OPML address.
Pro Simple to use UI
Downcast has a straightforward, intuitive user interface.
Pro Mac App available
Pro Can stream episodes without downloading
Pro Can prioritize playlists
You can have Downcast prioritize your playlists automatically, allowing you to listen to podcasts in the order your prefer without you having to manually reorganize them.
Pro Set how long you wish to keep your podcasts locally
Downcast can be set to automatically remove podcasts that have been on your device for a certain amount of time or take up a certain amount of space on your device. This can be done to groups of podcasts or on a per podcast basis.
Pro AirPlay support
Pro Prioritizes show notes
Selecting a podcast for playback will bring up shownotes, instead of the more common choice of album art.
Cons
Con Highly questionable business practices
Uber often takes part in ethically questionable business practices such as purposefully sabotaging competitors by ordering and canceling rides in bulk, pushing questionable auto loans to drivers, selectively spying on customers and ignoring regulations.
Con High surge pricing
During busy hours, Uber raises prices drastically. On holidays, it isn't uncommon for 10 minute rides to cost around $150 USD. An increase of up to 800%. Also, Uber doesn't pro-actively notify users of surge pricing.
Con Extremely buggy
Around mid-2015 Downcast implemented some code that started to leave infinite loop processes that have the potential to cause the phone to heat up, lag, crash Downcast, or crash other apps. The bugs have only continued to get worse. Go with Overcast or Pocket Casts, or even Podcatcher for the Downcast feel.