BBC iPlayer tech headed to iPhone, iPod touch

"...How exactly the iPhone/Touch software would function has not been made known..."

over wifi?... via safari?... they just need to make sure there is a decent codec etc...

im new to your site - but you guys dont really report so well. is this website a hobby or a full time job?

I'm told that the iPlayer does work on Macs under Safari. The Guardian article linked to even mentions Macs. Channel 4's and ITV's catch-up services don't work on the Mac.

Oh, also the iTunes TV are £1.89 per hour-long programme, apparently.

erm... "...How exactly the iPhone/Touch software would function has not been made known..."

over wifi?... via safari?... they just need to make sure there is a decent codec etc...

im new to your site - but you guys dont really report so well. is this website a hobby or a full time job?

Why do you assume it would be via safari? Why not a separate app (which is what they'd be doing for the mac client). Or their own browser/app combo. The article states many different options.

They aren't just going to slap it on top of Safari and Quicktime. That'd be too easy (and probably wouldn't have the DRM they would insist on).

BBC's iPlayer works perfectly under Safari but it uses Flash. The DRM for downloads requires Windows Media, however the BBC are on record as having said that the introduction of iTunes rentals may allow them to extend downloading to OS X. Access through MobileSafari would probably require them to swtich away from Flash?

If the BBC plan to roll this out using streaming to iPod or iPhone, then they may as well not bother. The whole point of an iPod is that it is used to view/listen to media "off-line". I.e. copied from a host computer.

Here in the UK WiFi is not ubiquitous. Most people also use their iPods on the move, such as on the train. If you static then chances are you are at work, at school or at home. Given most work places and schools don't like employees/pupils watching BBC TV shows I guess all that's left is home. So you may as well use your PC/Mac based I player or even Virgin Media's on demand (if you have it).

What is needed is iPlayer content as 7 day rentals on iTunes. Simple.

No, iPlayer software does not work on Mac. You can navigate to iPlayer page on BBC website and watch streaming videos from your browser window, but actual iPlayer software on Windows allows you downloading shows in form of DRMed files which can be played by MS MediaPlayer.

Had BBC actually mentioned they are making software that will be running on iPhone? 'Cause if they hadn't they might come up with a syncing plugin for Mac.

What I find really strange is that the Grauniad is the only paper reporting this as if the information were received first hand. There's nothing on the BBC website about it, I can't find an official press release anywhere and any other story which talks about it merely links back to the Guardian's website.

As Auntie and the Guardian aren't exactly best friends just now I doubt very much if they'd be given an exclusive like this. I reckon the Grauniad's got the wrong end of the stick. I think they've maybe heard the recent rumours and simply run with the story before verifying it.

@geobunny

"As Auntie and the Guardian aren't exactly best friends"

They are evil twins. Pick any 5 bbc journos and use google to see how many of the are connected to the Guardian.

I realize this isn't the 'same thing', but I listen to BBC (& other internet radio) on my ipod touch using this slick little app from flytunes. It lets you listen & cache internet radio to either an iphone or ipod touch.