The BBC has announced that the iPlayer Desktop will soon be brought to the Mac and Linux platforms. The upcoming player adds the ability to download content that can be viewed for up to 30 days, in addition to the streaming functionality that has been available on the current version. The broadcasting company has worked with Adobe to develop the update, integrating its AIR technology that will allow applications to be to be downloaded to the user's computer instead of just working with browser-based Flash presentations.

The use of AIR will allow the player work cross-platform on Windows, Mac, or Linux operating systems. The company also claims to have worked with ISPs to reduce issues with network strain. A system is being tested that would enable the ISPs to cache popular iPlayer programs.

The iPlayer Desktop is still in the beta stages of testing, with a finished version expected in February. A trial version can currently be downloaded from the Labs section of the iPlayer website.