The UK's official broadcaster, the BBC, has announced expanded support for the iPhone/iPod touch version of its iPlayer service. As of today the software now supports radio, allowing users to listen to episodes from a variety of programs up to seven days after the original airdate. The BBC's Mark Friend says that the option comes from adapting the network's normal digital delivery to suit the unique restrictions of Apple handhelds.

Shows are streamed in a 128Kbps MP3 format, and can only be accessed over Wi-Fi, rather than EDGE or 3G connections. Friend notes that the BBC intends to expand iPlayer to a variety of other platforms; the next will be Nokia's N96 smartphone, which should gain iPlayer on October 1st.