BBC readies iPlayer apps for iPad and Android

iPlayer app will make the most of the touchscreen UI, says the Beeb...

The BBC has released pictures of what the new iPlayer app will look like on the Android platform
Photo: BBC

BBC's on-demand iPlayer service will soon be available as an app on Apple's iPad and the Android platform. The announcement came from the BBC Internet Blog, which said the Android and iPad apps should be available for download by the end of this week.

iPlayer has been available on the iPad since Apple launched the tablet device last year, but the new app is a dedicated piece of software that will allow users to watch live TV and listen to the radio as well as providing access to the full catalogue of BBC catch-up programmes.

The BBC blog also said the iPlayer app makes the most of the touchscreen UI by using "a simple and intuitive design with high picture quality and personalised favourites".

Plans for an iPlayer app for Apple's iPhone, alongside a news app and a sports app, have already been announced by the BBC's outgoing head of future media and technology, Eric Huggers, during a keynote speech at the 2010 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

The iPlayer app is also available to download on BlackBerry smartphones.

The BBC recently launched an update to the iPlayer service, adding a chat function and personalised interface, although these additions will not be available on the mobile apps for the time being.

According to the blog, the iPlayer app will not be available on all Android devices due to technical reasons. Only devices that use Android version 2.2 and have Adobe Flash 10.1 Player installed will be able to support it.