Build a deliberately narrow podcast player around a persistent local-first queue, verified offline downloads, exact position recovery, chronological series playback, and explicit controls for Bluetooth and CarPlay behavior. Import public podcast subscriptions through RSS^? or OPML^?, preserve a portable backup of queue and progress data, and exclude video, recommendations, and automatic playback by default. Begin with iPhone and CarPlay because the evidence is strongest there.

Multiple established audio apps are adding video, advertising surfaces, and interface redesigns while users continue reporting regressions in core playback. The repeated complaints across competing products indicate a durable workflow gap, although customer acquisition and platform constraints make this a competitive opportunity.