Fans of the Xbox One game console in the UK who plan to purchase on launch day know that the console will launch with a number of streaming media apps for times you don’t feel like playing games. The BBC has confirmed that is currently working on an Xbox One app for its popular iPlayer. […]
Wondering why the BBC brought iPlayer downloads to just 11 Android devices, several months after iOS users got their turn? The broadcaster has just explained itself through a blog post detailing the Android app’s testing process. Like Netflix, the BBC had to focus its support on a handful of Android products in order to launch on time; this supports what we’ve heard from our own sources, who suggest that iPlayer development is normally arduous. To address as much hardware as possible on a tight schedule, the network conducted frequent, iterative tests that guaranteed compatibility relatively quickly. While the end result still leaves a lot of viewers without downloads, the BBC suggests that its testing process introduced the feature sooner than would have otherwise been possible. Whether or not you’re happy with the finished product, you can check out the corporation’s full methodology at the source link.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, HD, Mobile
Source: BBC Internet Blog
Those of you across the pond with access to BBC’s iPlayer Desktop client may have been frustrated with the offline video experience. There were frequent Adobe AIR updates that caused incompatibility issues and features that were either mostly ignored by users for their complexity (i.e., Series Record) or inaccessible offline, like Live TV and Radio. Well, consider that the past because the Beeb’s introducing a new client, BBC iPlayer Downloads, which sidesteps the need for Adobe AIR and cuts out those former features in favor of a unfussy UI focused on downloading programs. To that end, downloads will no longer be made available in .wmv format (due to cost reasons) and are now hosted only on episode pages to keep the experience consistent with companion mobile apps. Fans of the old Player will still be able to view any existing downloaded shows until their expiration date, but, from today forward, that client will no longer be available on the BBC’s iPlayer site. Embrace the future, video junkies… you have no choice.
BBC iPlayer viewers with Android devices have been left waiting for many features, and until today one of them was the ability to download shows for offline viewing. A fresh update is changing that, as the broadcaster is enabling it (as long as you’re on WiFi) on several devices running Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean. A blog post claims it should cover about 70 percent of app users with compatible devices will be able to use the feature starting today, with more to be added in the future. Just like on iOS, users can download an episode and keep it for up to 30 days offline, with 7 days for viewing after they’ve pressed play.
A BBC blog post specifically lists 11 devices (included after the break) that will enjoy support once the update arrives on Google Play and the Amazon Appstore today. Unfortunately, two that aren’t on it for now are the Kindle Fire 7 and Kindle Fire HD 7. BBC says it’s working on those, and the FAQ claims if your device has ICS or higher there’s a “strong” chance support will arrive in the coming months. The update for iOS offline viewing launched just over a year ago, but the Android version will bring a trick it doesn’t have: background downloading without keeping the screen awake. Otherwise, the update adds support for Android 4.3, and “addresses some known issues.”
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD, Mobile
Source: BBC Internet Blog, iPlayer FAQ, Google Play
BBC iPlayer for iOS just got a big update that makes it easy to keep watching — even in less than ideal conditions. The app now supports AirPlay streaming for downloaded shows, letting users watch on the big screen when there’s no internet connection. Searching is also much improved; iPlayer now groups results by series, and iPad users get a dedicated search section. It’s easier to start watching recommended shows, too. The update is sadly limited to the UK version of iPlayer, but those fortunate Brits can grab the new app through the source link.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD
Via: iMore
Source: App Store
The BBC might be a stalwart bastion of television broadcasting, but that’s not stopping it from expanding its ventures into the wonderful world of online programming. Today, BBC Three announced that it would try its hand at digital-first content starting with the second series of Jack Whitehall’s Bad Education. As more and more viewers turn to the internet for their TV-watching needs, the BBC has proven itself eager to keep up with demand, first by unveiling its plan to debut certain programs online in addition to producing iPlayer-exclusive dramas. iPlayer has long been one of the best ways to catch up on your favorite shows when you miss them on the air, but with this new development, the BBC seems interested in shifting the paradigm — at least when it comes to a few select programs — to favor online viewership.
Via: The Next Web
Source: BBC
It turns out there’s a reason why iPlayer hasn’t supported downloads for radio shows in the UK: the executive wing of the BBC couldn’t implement this feature without explicit permission from the BBC Trust, which in turn had to seek advice from the national regulator, Ofcom. Fortunately, these hoops have been hurdled and the Corporation now says it expects to enable downloads for iPlayer users “in 2014,” giving them seven days to download a show after broadcast, up to 30 days to store it, and then seven days to listen to it once it’s opened. This’ll no doubt prove to be a popular feature, but since regular TV downloads still don’t work on the iPlayer app for Android, we’re kinda hoping the devs get that fixed first.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/Video, Internet, HD
Source: BBC
It’s simple: the numbers don’t lie. Clearly aware of the many, many hours viewers are squeezing out of their tablets, the BBC has, for the better, made its iPlayer for Android more friendly with 10-inch models. Folks using the app will no longer have to rely on a shortcut to the website, with the BBC iPlayer now offering native support for those larger Android slates. The changelog also notes some tweaks to the UI on smartphones and 7-inch tablets, but mum’s the word on what the changes were exactly. Either way, we’re sure owners of, say, a Nexus 10 will be happy to hear there are fewer steps required to catch up with their favorite shows.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Tablets, Software
Via: Android Police
Source: Google Play
Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore has just tweeted that, at some point today, BBC iPlayer is coming to Windows Phone 8. It’s been a long road getting to this point, as the BBC’s and Microsoft’s conflicting technologies don’t play nicely with each other — with this version being a browser-based shortcut rather than a fully-featured app. Still, for the legion of British Windows Phone users dying for their Doctor Who fix while on the go, something is far better than nothing.
Update: And it’s official, so head down to the Windows Store link below to start downloading.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, HD, Mobile, Microsoft
Source: Joe Belfiore (Twitter), BBC, Windows Store
Excuse us while we interrupt that episode of The Archers, but we thought users of BBC’s iPlayer might like to know about the latest Android app update. In addition to various bug fixes, it promises a “much improved” viewing experience on heavy-hitting devices like the Galaxy S III and Note 2, plus the Nexus 4. The Beeb stopped short of spilling further details, but it does go on to confirm that it’ll continue to apply spit-and-polish to the playback experience for as much hardware as it can, without having to wait for app updates. We hope this doesn’t mean it’ll be treading on any toes, of course. Fans of slightly bigger screens (which is more of you, apparently) can expect some attention soon — a tablet update coming in the next release.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, HD
Source: Google Play
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