We all know that Windows Phone 7 has built-in support for podcasts, but that it means adding podcasts via the Zune Desktop software. For power users who don't want to be tied to docking with the mother ship, this can be quite irksome. However, there are ways around this. There are third party applications out there which do away with Zune dependency and stream podcasts directly to your device, and some even download for offline listening. Nokia Conversations has been taking a look at the best.

Nokia Conversations recommended the following:

1. TuneIn Radio

TuneIn is a new way to listen to the world through live local and global radio from wherever you are. Whether you want music, sports, news or current events, TuneIn offers over 50,000 stations and 1.2 million on-demand streams for you to choose from. The TuneIn Radio app lets you take this entire experience with you on your Windows Phone.

With TuneIn, it’s easy to find your favorite hometown station, music from Berlin that reminds you of when you lived there, or reggae from Kingston to get you in the mood for your beach vacation. TuneIn makes you feel like you are right there with the people and places that are important to you. From finding what’s local to discovering new stations from around the world, TuneIn brings you to where you want to be.

2. BBC Podcast Lounge

If it’s just BBC podcasts you like to listen too, then this app will have them all. It’s an amalgamation of the many different radio stations from the BBC, including Radio 2 – the most popular British domestic radio station, and BBC Radio 4 – the home of thought provoking discussion and spoken-word programmes.

With full integration to the Music + Video hub, background audio playback, programme homescreen pinning and over 350 unique programmes in its catalogue, BBC Podcast Lounge is great app for all those BBC fans.

3. Simply Podcast

Once loaded, this app will automatically subscribe you to a selection of podcasts ranging from WPCentral Podcast, Onion News Network or Daily Bacon (that’s Richard, not the cured meat) to get you started.

To add more podcasts to your subscription list, you’ll need to press the add button at the bottom and then enter URL of the rss feed of the podcast. While this might seem like hard work for those who prefer a point and click interface, this does allow you to sign up for the more niche, obscure podcasts that you might not always find in the usual catalogues.

4. PODCASTS!

With Podcasts! you can search for video podcasts as well as audio podcasts, which separates this app apart from some the others mentioned above. There’s also the added bonus of being able to download the podcast onto your Nokia Lumia for easy listening, or watching, later on when you haven’t got an Internet connection. Something not all podcast apps offer.

Podcasts! plays the audio in the background – as well as downloads selected episodes – while you’re performing other tasks. Deep OS integration means that you can access your podcasts right from within the Music + Video hub, too.

Wait, there's more!

In addition to Nokia Conversation's picks, we'd also like to suggest Podcast, BBC Radio Player, and of course, any reader of All About Windows Phone should not be without the AAWP App, which includes streaming of our weekly podcast!