Podcasts have been a long time coming for Android users. Google first announced that a Podcasts section would be coming to the Play store almost six months ago, but no confirmed date has been released thereafter. That has changed however, with Android Police, which obtained an internal NPR email stating Podcasts would officially launch on 18 April. 

"Google will launch podcasts on Android and other platforms next Monday, April 18, inside of Google Play Music, a streaming service similar to Apple Music," NPR stated in a letter to its members. They also noted that this information was under strict embargo, but we're guessing whoever leaked the information most likely forgot to read that section.  

As The Verge points out, there is no 100% certainty that Google Play will indeed feature Podcasts as of next week, with Bill Simmons tweeting and then deleting a message in February this year that his Podcasts would be arriving on Google Play later that month. 

While no more information is forthcoming from Google, we'll have to wait until next week Monday to see if Android Police got it right.