I love podcasts- one of the things keeping me from WP 8 is the podcast horror stories. I am sure that will work itself out. No matter what the official line is, either there is a problem and MS will address it or there isn't and us podcast users will adjust.
I am not a huge app user, but I am looking forward to WP 8 getting the app situation caught up and ended for good. By the time the Holidays roll around in 2013, there really will be no excuse for WP users to not have all the major applications that Android and iOS have. None. Local apps (news stations, banks and credit unions, ECT) may be a little while in the making. But the major ones we are missing need to be available by then, and I am confident they will be.
I really like the WP 8 offerings out there. For those still rocking 1st generation WP 7's, low end Androids, or feature phones, these are AMAZING devices that I believe will sing as soon as some updates hit the airwaves. But, most of us second generation users truly are in the best position right now. Fairly new devices, decent support, and 7.8 on the way. I am comfortable with my decision to wait until early to mid next year to decide on a WP 8 toy. I will enjoy the update on my Focus S and see what comes. Hey, it is one of the advantages of jumping on WP 7 when we did. :wink: