I currently have a xiaomi radio receiver in the car, which connects via blue tooth.
I want to buy a cheap device that connects to it via blueooth to play podcasts in the car. My current smartphone is on google maps which I keep on all the time so dont want to touch.
Other points - If it is a smartphone I may be fined under road rules for using a mobile device.
I have also used an audio plug in to the car radio before but find the reception is bad when the cord moves,
I don't fully understand why you don't use your phone.
With the second device I wouldn't want to keep in the car as heat will damage it. And the google map directions will speak over the podcasts. If it is on the same device the podcast should pause accordingly and you can set up a play list so you won't need to fiddle with it when you're driving.
Because I always use Google maps on my car.
And when I want to play a podcast or pause it I have to touch my smartphone and exit Google maps which takes a long time on my phone.
When I just want to concentrate on the road and the map
So what device do you think you can get where you won't run into the same issue of touching it when driving?
the issue isn't touching, the issue is if you read my comment is that to exit google maps and select and podcast takes too many tocuhes
Does the head unit have android auto capabilities? If not you can still download android auto to your phone and then download Podcast republic or any other podcast app that is compatible with android auto. Both Maps and the podcast app will play over bluetooth connection the podcast will be paused when maps jumps in to give you directions or voice updates. Thats what I use now.
You don't need Android Auto for this "feature" it occurs by default.
My current smartphone is on google maps which I keep on all the time so dont want to touch.
You shouldn't be touching whatever device you're using to play podcasts either while driving. Put the pods in a playlist, play it like you would music. Your phone can run that in the background and have the maps on the screen.
Could say the same about the radio.
On the new infotainment systems that are all touch screen? Absolutely. With physical controls - probably still better not to, but a bit easier to use without looking.
There comes a certain time where you just get a new head unit to save yourself a lot of hassle. 1 with Android Auto/ Apple Carplay and have it all nice and easy to use, and you can use the steering wheel switches to control it properly.
I just use my (Android) phone and my Pebble smartwatch (using MusicBoss) to control playback.
Can also use my headunit controls after it's started playing.
I have a smart playlist that automatically plays the oldest unplayed podcast from my subscription list and will re-scan for the subsequent oldest as each podcast completes.
get a new audio cable if you have some other player that works. you might have a shitty broken cable that needs to be in a certain position. happens a lot with the cheap ones after a while
An older iPod? They're apparently one of the best for podcasts.