Earlier this month, it was reported that Apple would be launching a standalone podcast app in iOS 6. Instead of waiting for the next version of iOS, Apple posted the Podcast app on the App Store today. [App Store]

Podcasts app is the easiest way to discover, subscribe to and play your favorite podcasts on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Explore hundreds of thousands of free audio and video podcasts from the Podcasts Catalog, and play the most popular podcasts, organized for you by topic, with the all-new Top Stations feature. Features: - Enjoy all of your audio and video podcasts in a single app

- Explore hundreds of thousands of podcasts including shows in over 40 languages

- Try the innovative new Top Stations feature to find new podcast series in a variety of topics, including arts, business, comedy, music, news, sports, and more.

- Browse by Audio or Video podcasts, or see what's most popular in Top Charts

- Tap subscribe for your favorites and automatically receive new episodes for free as they become available

- Stream episodes or download to listen while offline

- Skip forward and back using simple playback controls

- Turn on Sleep Timer to automatically stop playing a podcast while listening in bed

- Share your favorite episodes with friends using Twitter, Messages and Mail

- Optionally sync your favorite episodes from iTunes on your Mac or PC

- Sync your episode playback for seamless transition between devices



The app supports streaming or downloading of episodes and offers syncing of episode playback between devices. This means that users can, for example, start listening to a podcast on their iPhone and finish on the iPad.

Update: Some users have noticed a redeem button within the Podcast app suggesting the possibility of paid podcasts down the line.

Podcasts is a free download for the iPhone and iPad on the App Store. [Direct Link]