Apple is rolling out two new AI-powered features for Podcasts that could reshape how creators and listeners interact with audio content. The company's automatic chapter generation and timestamped links functionality puts it in direct competition with Spotify's similar tools, as the podcast wars heat up with enhanced creator experiences.
Apple just made its biggest play yet in the podcast creator toolset arms race. The company's rolling out automatic chapter generation and timestamped links for Apple Podcasts, features that'll arrive with iOS 26.2 and put the iPhone maker in direct competition with Spotify's similar offerings.
The timing isn't coincidental. Spotify launched its own automated transcripts and chapters feature earlier this year, giving podcasters AI-powered tools to make their content more discoverable and navigable. Now Apple is catching up with its own twist on the concept.
Here's what's different about Apple's approach: the automatic chapters will only kick in when creators haven't added their own manual chapters. It's a smart fallback system that respects creator control while still providing value when podcasters don't have the time or resources to manually segment their shows. The AI-generated chapters will be clearly labeled as automatic, according to Apple's support documentation.
But it's the timed links feature that could be the real game-changer. Creators will be able to embed timestamped links that pop up as banners during playback, connecting listeners to Apple Music, Apple News, Apple Podcasts, Apple TV, and other Apple services. These links appear in the Now Playing screen and show up in transcripts and episode details.
The cross-promotional potential is huge. When podcasters mention another show, the system can automatically generate timed links to that content. For Apple's ecosystem, this creates a web of interconnected content that keeps users within Apple's services - a classic platform play that leverages the company's integrated hardware and software approach.
This represents Apple's broader strategy of using AI to enhance user experiences without replacing human creativity. Unlike some AI implementations that aim to automate content creation entirely, Apple's podcast features augment what creators are already doing. The opt-out functionality shows the company understands that podcasters want control over their content presentation.
