The BBC has chosen the iPod Touch and iPhone as the first mobile devices to be able to use the iPlayer service.  It is the first time iPlayer has been available on mobile devices.

There are limitations to the service; it cannot use the EDGE network for streaming because it doesn’t have enough bandwidth.  To use the iPlayer service on your iPod Touch or iPhone you must be within range and connected to a WiFi network.

A spokesperson for the BBC said that the service will be coming to “many more” devices.  Speaking for the BBC, Anthony Rose said, “We started with iPhone because it is the device most optimised for high quality video currently available. It displays the BBCiPlayer site and BBC programmes nicely.”

Virgin Media customers will be getting a version of the iPlayer service later this month.  It’s not surprising that the iPlayer service is still locked out to most of the world; meaning anyone not located in the UK.

According to the iPlayer site,

“Rights agreements mean that BBC iPlayer television programmes are only available to users to download or stream (Click to Play) in the UK. However, BBC Worldwide is working on an international version, which we will make available as soon as possible.”

Let’s hope it is “as soon as possible” and not “later” or “whenever we feel like it.”  Of course, US based services are also locked out to the rest of the world so it’s kind of fair.

Related:

Entry was posted on Sunday, March 9th, 2008 at 6:58 pm under Apple, Media players.

Read more entries by Jonathan Schlaffer.
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