Apple's Podcasts app highlights coronavirus-related content [u]

Apple this week updated its Podcasts app with curated content related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, exposing users to podcasts designed to inform, entertain and relax.

Featured in the Browse tab of the Podcasts app are new sections "Coronavirus: Stay Informed," "Cultivating Calm," "Boredom Busters" and a row dedicated to COVID-19 news.

"Coronavirus: Stay Informed" includes specials on the virus published by CNN, NPR, BBC World Service, ABC News and Radio.com. From daily global updates to in-depth discussions on COVID-19, the section is full of content to keep listeners informed during the crisis.

Much of the same content can be found in the "Coronavirus Coverage" section.

"Cultivating Calm" is, as its title suggests, a collection of podcasts focusing on meditation, mindfulness and relaxation. Titles include "Meditative Story" from WaitWhat + Thrive Global, "Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations," "Meditation Minis" with Chel Hamilton, "The Slowdown" by American Public Media and "Buddhist Boot Camp Podcast" by Timber Hawkeye.

For those stuck at home in a mandated quarantine, "Boredom Busters" offers a host of binge-worthy series like iHeartRadio's "Disorganized Crime," "Finding Fred" and "Solve," "Cool Mules" from CANADALAND, "Gaslight" by Chloe Grace-Moretz, "The Jungle Prince" by The New York Times and "This American Life."

The additions to Podcasts arrive roughly a week after Apple launched a coronavirus section in Apple News with curated, up-to-date stories from major outlets including CNN and The Wall Street Journal.

Update: Apple Music and iTunes were also updated on Thursday to feature "A Message from the White House Coronavirus Task Force," a minute-long short on social distancing featuring NIAID Director and task force member Dr. Anthony Fauci, Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams.