Native iPlayer iPhone app nearing launch?
updated 01:20 pm EST, Mon November 30, 2009
Evidence shows in monthly report
The BBC is indeed preparing a native iPhone iPlayer client, press material from the broadcaster suggests. The network recently released a presentation of October iPlayer figures, within which can be found a mockup of an iPhone app. Beyond simplifying and accelerating iPlayer for Apple handhelds, the app would appear to support downloads, as well as sending messages to show hosts. Users would likely continue to need a TV license.
iPlayer lets users watch or listen to BBC content for as long as seven days past original airdates. At present, iPhone and iPod owners can only access the service via the web. The BBC has allegedly been worried about developing for the App Store, out of fear it could exposed to unlimited liability for what it produces. The network does however have some apps, such as ones for Lonely Planet and the Radio Times.
TV farms
11/30, 02:19pm reply
I wonder if that would be legal - set up a warehouse somewhere on UK soil that would sell folks a TV and license, and then host their TV there so that they could use an app like iPlayer from anywhere in the world.
Zaren
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
It's for radio...
11/30, 05:26pm reply
I love BBC radio, i want this app!
- A
Fast iBook
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2003
Well...
11/30, 05:40pm reply
It means nothing at all. They've been working on an app for years, and it has been in the wild for years (as it says, they've get 6%-7% requests from iPods/iPhones).
And I find it hard to believe that some stats guy at the BBC who put together the packet is 'in the know' about the release date of the iPlayer for iPod app.
LouZer
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2000
License
11/30, 06:23pm reply
"Users would likely continue to need a TV license."
At the moment you are not required to have a TV license to watch programmes 'on demand' but do to watch anything that is streamed live.
This may change in the future.
matchstickhead
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2009