Various audio processing algorithms (loudness normalization, noise reduction, etc.) are available through a free REST API, focused on audio post production.
They use a different technique than in other lossy codecs (mp3, acc, etc.) without a psychoacoustic model.
And the algorithms are actually quite old and not patented anymore (as in aac, mp3) - so in theory it should work ;)
However, I think libopus should also compile on the iPhone, so it should be possible to play .opus files on i-devices.
What makes Opus particularly attractive for podcasting is the fact that it unites the benefits of music- and speech-specific audio codecs - listen to the examples ;)
