More iPhone SDK Hints? BBC iPlayer, Gameloft Games
Guardian.co.uk reports on BBC announcements about their iPlayer streaming television service, including usage stats. Amongst the announcements, however, is also the tidbit that the BBC will be launching their iPlayer service to be available on Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch devices in "the next few weeks".
There are surprisingly few details about this iPhone version of the BBC's iPlayer. The BBC's iPlayer currently comes in two flavors: a web streaming version as well as a Windows-only downloadable version.
TheRegister.co.uk claims that this means that the BBC will be transcoding their shows from Flash into H.264 video just as Youtube has, and also claims the iPhone iPlayer will be Wi-Fi only and that the BBC has a deal with hotspot provider The Cloud to offer free access to bbc.co.uk and iPlayer. While the "next few week" timeframe corresponds to the scheduled release of the iPhone SDK, it's never explicitly stated that this version of the iPlayer will be a dedicated player. A DigitalSpy.co.uk article even notes that it is possible only "because of the devices' good web support", suggesting it may simply be a specially designed web portal.
Meanwhile, PocketGamer.co.uk posts photos from a Gameloft keynote speech in which an iPhone game is depicted. The image may simply be a mockup, however, rather than an actual peek at an upcoming iPhone game.
There are surprisingly few details about this iPhone version of the BBC's iPlayer. The BBC's iPlayer currently comes in two flavors: a web streaming version as well as a Windows-only downloadable version.
TheRegister.co.uk claims that this means that the BBC will be transcoding their shows from Flash into H.264 video just as Youtube has, and also claims the iPhone iPlayer will be Wi-Fi only and that the BBC has a deal with hotspot provider The Cloud to offer free access to bbc.co.uk and iPlayer. While the "next few week" timeframe corresponds to the scheduled release of the iPhone SDK, it's never explicitly stated that this version of the iPlayer will be a dedicated player. A DigitalSpy.co.uk article even notes that it is possible only "because of the devices' good web support", suggesting it may simply be a specially designed web portal.
Meanwhile, PocketGamer.co.uk posts photos from a Gameloft keynote speech in which an iPhone game is depicted. The image may simply be a mockup, however, rather than an actual peek at an upcoming iPhone game.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
52 months ago
Boy if they are actually going to have a special event before the end of the month they are going to need to get an invite out the door soon (by the end of this week, I'd imagine). So hopefully we'll know more soon.
52 months ago
why the **** should i care about bbc and lame ass games? i want real apps! **** bad shows and cheap ass games :D
52 months ago
... and "iPlayer" how unoriginal and confusing when an application on the "iPhone". Do we really need any or some of the iPhone applications to have an "i-" prefix? Even "vBBC" would be a slight improvement?
52 months ago
Sounds great. The iPlayer site currently uses Flash so unless, as theregister.co.uk suggests, the BBC will release h.264 versions of their programmes like YouTube this would mean that the iPhone will be getting Flash support. Streaming would only ever work in a wifi hotspot, though with a possible 3G iPhone in the works that may change.
There would be no point having an iPlayer app for the iPhone. What would be better were for the BBC to release programmes (for free for UK users) through iTunes so that they could be synched from there.
All I want now is access to the iPlayer site (for streaming) for :apple:TV - then I will buy one.
There would be no point having an iPlayer app for the iPhone. What would be better were for the BBC to release programmes (for free for UK users) through iTunes so that they could be synched from there.
All I want now is access to the iPlayer site (for streaming) for :apple:TV - then I will buy one.
52 months ago
why the **** should i care about bbc and lame ass games? i want real apps! **** bad shows and cheap ass games :D
with the greatest of respect sir.. do you know how much crap i have to read about AT&T? If someone on the board farts its a MR frontpage item.
In the Uk this would be awesome, effectively meaning you can watch TV on your iphone. I don't have an iPhone but this would certainly make one more attractive.
52 months ago
... and "iPlayer" how unoriginal and confusing when an application on the "iPhone". Do we really need any or some of the iPhone applications to have an "i-" prefix? Even "vBBC" would be a slight improvement?
iPlayer is the name of their web serviced, which they used for a while now.
52 months ago
In the long-term, I think it's inevitable that storage-based devices will be redundant. All data will just stream from servers. In this respect, a flash based BBC iPlayer is advanced.
However, in the shorter-term, BBC really should look at using a system similar to that used for iTunes rentals. By doing this (perhaps with terms modified from 30 days/24 hours?) they'd be able to give episodes to people for free, whilst still retaining the ability to sell episodes in the future by DVD.
However, in the shorter-term, BBC really should look at using a system similar to that used for iTunes rentals. By doing this (perhaps with terms modified from 30 days/24 hours?) they'd be able to give episodes to people for free, whilst still retaining the ability to sell episodes in the future by DVD.
52 months ago
WiFi is nowhere near ubiqutous enough for this to be seriously useful. Free download and use FairlPlay DRM ala movie rentals and we have a deal :)
[ Read All Comments ]
Analytics firm Chitika today released a report showing that by its metrics iOS has now surpassed OS X in overall web traffic share in the United States. Chitika's methodology involves an analysis...
One of the most frequent reasons for an iPhone to go on a trip to the Apple Store's Genius Bar is because of water damage. Typically, a water damaged iPhone can be replaced for a flat $199...
TheVerge's Joshua Topolsky summarizes the iPad 3 casing findings reported earlier today, but also adds his own sources regarding some details of the iPad 3.
Image from RepairLabs
As...
Last July, Apple discontinued the white MacBook from its consumer lineup, pushing consumers toward the company's popular MacBook Air line or the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The company didn't kill...
Popular iPhone Twitter client Tweetbot has finally arrived on the iPad, with a user interface instantly familiar to any current Tweetbot user. Designed for the Twitter power-user, Tweetbot packs a...
