Hasta La Gadget!

The BBC’s Cyrus Saihan has just hit us with the news that iPlayer will soon be available on Windows Phones in the UK, following a deal with Microsoft. Technically speaking, it’ll be a browser-based shortcut, but it sounds like it should function much like a regular app: it’ll be available from the Windows Phone Store and run on WP 7.5 and 8 handsets with its own live tile. According to the BBC’s press office, which seems to be a bit more specific with its time frames, the service should become available within the “next few months”. Sure, there have been false starts in the past, and various technical hiccups that have made it difficult for the Beeb to support Microsoft’s mobile OS, but this time — finally — it’s for real.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Source: BBC

If you’re familiar with the iOS version, BBC’s new sports app for Android might not pack that many surprises. But it does still house a substantial amount of sports news, with a focus on the UK’s national game, football. There’s a new section encompassing fixtures, results and updating live scores for each competition and league. There’s also live text commentaries on major sports events, plus both clips and video streaming. The app, available today, is compatible with Android devices running version 2.2 or above and while the Beeb has worked to ensure it works on the recent wave of 7-inch tablets, it doesn’t currently support larger sizes. Still, there’s plenty of time for that to happen before the next World Cup. We’ve added in a shot of its testing device pile (look, a HTC ChaCha!) after the break.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile

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Source: BBC Sport app (Google Play), BBC

The CBBC’s Blue Peter program is the world’s longest running television program made specifically for children, run after 54 years as a magazine / entertainment show for learning and engaging with kids. This show has this week prepared an award for none other than Apple‘s Sir Johnathan Ive, here sending the designer off with the show’s “highest accolade.” Though those of you outside the UK may never have heard of this show (thumbs down to you), this award has stricken Ive (born in Chingford, London) as “absolutely incredible.”

The gold Blue Peter badge, as it’s called, is a rarity in the history of the show – so to speak – having only been given out to the most honorable of guests over the program’s many years on the air. Right around 1,000 badges have been given out, according to the BBC, others having been handed to the likes of JK Rowling, Damian Hirst, and The Queen (of England, of course).

Acting Editor of Blue Peter Ewan Vinnicombe spoke up on the event, saying that Ive “is an inspiration to children around the world.” The award was given on an episode of the show that will be broadcast on CBBC Saturday the 16th of February at 10AM GMT. In the episode, Ive conducts miniature reviews of product designs sent in to the show by Blue Peter audience members. He gives advice to the children who designed said products, and lets them know what they can do to make great products in the future as well.

Also during the show you’ll see Ive being interviewed by presenter Barney Harwood, who has Ive recalling the influence the program had on him when he was as child. Speaking about how “vividly” he remembers watching the show in his early years, Ive speaks about how he enjoyed the way the creators of the show “reused products that you though were no longer useful.” Fun stuff!

BONUS: Having been given a tip that he’d be getting a gold Blue Peter badge before going on the show, Ive came prepared. Having been handed an official badge, Ive gave Barney a giant aluminum (aka aluminium) badge in return – one that took 10 hours to craft!

Be sure to catch the program as you eat your cereal in your footie pajamas in the fabulous England morning and let us know how it goes! For those of you in the USA that’ll be asleep at that point, just bust out your typing fingers and have a search for it – the CBBC will certainly post it up sooner than later. Can’t wait!

Apple’s Jony Ive nabs legendary gold Blue Peter badge is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
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Amazon just announced a trio of Lovefilm deals, including new programming from BBC Worldwide, TV pilots from its own Amazon Studios and Lovefilm Instant HD on Sony Bravia Smart TVs. While the streaming service is already entangled with the Beeb, the deal announced today will include new shows like The Office (UK version), potboiler Jonathan Creek, sci-fi drama Primeval and others. Eleven comedy and kids pilot shows recently announced by Amazon Studios will also come to Instant Video, with execs even saying that viewer response on the platform will determine which shows stay. Finally, Lovefilm announced that it’ll come to internet-connected Sony Bravia TVs in 720P (it’s been in standard def on the platform since 2010), joining the likes of Xbox 360 and other Smart TVs in HD. You should see the extra pixels on your Bravia imminently, but there’s no word on exact arrival dates for BBC or Amazon Studios programming. Check the PR below the fold for a full breakdown.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, Amazon

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For all the dimensions that Doctor Who has explored on TV, the third has been a rarity — there was an early 3D experiment in 1993 for the series’ 30th anniversary, a 2010 trailer, and that’s that. For the show’s 50th birthday, the company is willing to make a return trip through a two-part 3D special. Most of what’s in store for the unique event is being kept secret, although we imagine we’ll see plenty of Sonic Screwdriver action. We’ll have to see how closely the special’s broadcast date aligns with the official anniversary in November; hopefully, it’s far enough into the future that Whovians can prepare with a little TV shopping.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: BBC (1), (2)