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What changes in Apple Podcasts’ Up Next queue?
The old Up Next queue is being divided by listening status rather than simply renamed. 9to5Mac’s report on the beta describes New Episodes as the place for the latest releases from shows you follow, with Continue Playing directly below it for in-progress episodes.
| Section | What it contains | What it is meant to solve |
|---|---|---|
| New Episodes | Latest episodes from shows you follow | Makes fresh releases easier to scan |
| Continue Playing | Episodes you have started but not finished | Keeps mid-listen episodes from getting lost in the queue |
Why the redesign matters
A single queue can be difficult to use when it mixes newly released episodes with partially played ones. The beta-reported split gives those two tasks separate places: browse what is new, or return to what you were already listening to. It is a practical usability change for listeners who follow several shows or pause episodes before finishing them.
The reports describe the intended behavior, but do not establish exactly how every edge case—such as episodes removed from a feed or playback synced across devices—will work in the final version.
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- SUPERIOR COMFORT — Unlike traditional circular ear buds, the design of EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear. Which makes them more comfortable for more people than any other ear bud–style headphones.
- HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO — The speakers inside EarPods have been engineered to maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, which means you get high-quality audio.
- BUILT-IN REMOTE — EarPods with USB-C plug also include a built-in remote that lets you adjust the volume, control the playback of music and video, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord.
- COMPATIBILITY — Works with all devices that have a USB-C port.
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE — A built-in microphone precisely captures your voice while you’re on the phone, taking a FaceTime call, or summoning Siri — so you’re always heard loud and clear.
Is iOS 27.2 available yet?
As of October 2, 2026, iOS 27.2 is in beta. 9to5Mac reported on September 23, 2026 that beta testing had begun and an October public release was likely. That is an expectation, not confirmation of a final release date; check Apple’s release notes for availability before relying on the redesign.
The same report says iOS 27.1 is expected to be exclusive to iPhone Duo before software paths converge. That is separate from the Podcasts queue change and does not establish that iOS 27.2 itself will be limited to that device.
Rank #2
- SUPERIOR COMFORT — Unlike traditional circular ear buds, the design of EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear. Which makes them more comfortable for more people than any other ear bud–style headphones.
- HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO — The speakers inside EarPods have been engineered to maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, which means you get high-quality audio.
- BUILT-IN REMOTE — EarPods with Lightning Connector also include a built-in remote that lets you adjust the volume, control the playback of music and video, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord.
- COMPATIBILITY — Works with all devices that have a Lightning connector and support iOS 10 or later, including iPod touch, iPad, and iPhone. Also works with iPad models with iPadOS.
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE — A built-in microphone precisely captures your voice while you’re on the phone, taking a FaceTime call, or summoning Siri — so you’re always heard loud and clear.
Other Apple Podcasts changes in iOS 27
Apple’s Apple Podcasts for Creators documentation, dated September 14, 2026, describes broader iOS 27 features that are separate from the iOS 27.2 queue redesign:
- Search within a show.
- Expanded video support and read-along transcripts.
- Chapters and media links.
- Larger accessibility text sizes, identified as AX1–AX5.
Apple cautions that feature availability can vary by country and region. The documentation describes the wider iOS 27 platform update; it does not mean these features are part of the 27.2 queue change.
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Rank #3
- SUPERIOR COMFORT — Unlike traditional circular ear buds, the design of EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear. Which makes them more comfortable for more people than any other ear bud–style headphones.
- HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO — The speakers inside EarPods have been engineered to maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, which means you get high-quality audio.
- BUILT-IN REMOTE — EarPods with 3.5mm Headphone Plug also include a built-in remote that lets you adjust the volume, control the playback of music and video, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord.
- COMPATIBILITY — Works with all devices that have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE — A built-in microphone precisely captures your voice while you’re on the phone, taking a FaceTime call, or summoning Siri — so you’re always heard loud and clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Up Next go in Apple Podcasts?
In the iOS 27.2 beta reports, its role is split between New Episodes and Continue Playing rather than kept as one mixed queue.
Will Apple Podcasts remember episodes I started but did not finish?
Continue Playing is intended to collect in-progress episodes. The reports do not detail every syncing or edge-case behavior, and the final public release should be checked for confirmation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ULTIMATE OVER-EAR LISTENING EXPERIENCE—Powered by the H2 chip, AirPods Max 2 delivers improved high-fidelity audio with deep bass, expansive mids, and crisp highs for an unparalleled listening experience.
- TUNE OUT THE NOISE—Up to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, fully immersing you in every sound.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU—Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts noise cancellation levels to suit your environment. Conversation Awareness lowers the volume of what’s playing to make it easy to talk to those around you.* And Transparency lets outside sounds in so you can interact with your surroundings.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO—With sound tuned to your unique ear shape and dynamic head tracking, AirPods Max 2 delivers an immersive listening experience that surrounds you with theater-like sound.
- COMMUNICATE ACROSS LANGUAGES—Simply press and hold the listening mode button to activate Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence,* which automatically translates the language someone is speaking into your preferred language.
Rank #4
- ULTIMATE OVER-EAR LISTENING EXPERIENCE—Powered by the H2 chip, AirPods Max 2 delivers improved high-fidelity audio with deep bass, expansive mids, and crisp highs for an unparalleled listening experience.
- TUNE OUT THE NOISE—Up to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, fully immersing you in every sound.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU—Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts noise cancellation levels to suit your environment. Conversation Awareness lowers the volume of what’s playing to make it easy to talk to those around you.* And Transparency lets outside sounds in so you can interact with your surroundings.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO—With sound tuned to your unique ear shape and dynamic head tracking, AirPods Max 2 delivers an immersive listening experience that surrounds you with theater-like sound.
- COMMUNICATE ACROSS LANGUAGES—Simply press and hold the listening mode button to activate Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence,* which automatically translates the language someone is speaking into your preferred language.
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