App of the Week - Review of the BBC iPlayer App (08-03-2012)

[cricpk]

Recently we have seen an emergence of the Apps market. In the third quarter of 2011, more than 2.4 Billion Apps were downloaded. However are any of them any good?

This is your weekly guide to the innovative, creative and productive Apps on the Android Marketplace.

BBC iPlayer

Category: Media & Video

Price: Free

Size: 946kb

This App comes from a very reputable company, but is it worth downloading? Like the website, it is very simple to use and has a clear layout. Similar to the website, the navigation bar is very easy to use as well. Users can also add programmes to their favourite page, allowing downloader’s to catch-up to chosen programmes more conveniently. As an addition, one can also enjoy watching live BBC TV and Radio, ensuring you get the most out of your TV License. However, when used heavily it can drain the life out of your phone’s battery. Nevertheless, this allows you to catch up with the BBC programmes that you may have missed in the last seven days - hence being very convenient indeed. As expected, internet access is required.

The video streaming is of high quality as you would expect, however some programmes may take up to a minute to load (depending on the internet signal strength).

After downloading the App, I don’t see myself deleting it. Although telly on the go sounds fantastic, it’s not an App which you will find yourself using everyday.

I would rate the App 7 out of 10.

Snapshots

         

[liamwli]

Android? Rubbish - needs flash!

[lisapip]

thanks for that

[iceqntrider]

Quote: "...it’s not an App which you will find yourself using everyday." I don't think giffgaff will allow you to, either? If you tried, I'm convinced your phone would mysteriously stop working before the end of the month... By the by, any news on the new data usage, or has it been implemented in the T&C's without notice?

[khadj]

good info

[nursenat999]

Tab app use it all the time was wandering why itv, five and four are still insisting on usin a wifi network rather than 3G as the 3G on my experience when I have used them is far better! I use my 3 phone with unlimited data to watch tv catch up films on my phone! No problems at all with this app it is one of the best ones I have for iPhone.

[nursenat999]

Top app lol not tab!

[vorb]

I use it at least once a week.  I tried using the website via the browser but it seemed to get stuck occasionally whereas I've not had any problems with the app (so far).

[philiplittle40]

No app for my x6 (and never likely to be)

[andy21]

 I've been really missing this app.Ever since my Nexus s was updated my Nexus s to ICS,the iPlayer was unavailable but it must have been recently patched.This is great if you have no radio and need to stay in touch.Now it does sap the life out of your battery unless you have a Veho Pebble.A super compact and useful back-up battery that is a great accessory.Its great for catching up or an alternative to a Tv or radio

[cim]

Worth adding some caveats:

"The device must run Android 2.2 (or higher) with minimum ARMv7 processor, and must have Adobe Flash Player (latest version) installed."

which means that popular Android phones like the ZTE Blade, Blade II and Skate cannot run iPlayer. Those models won't even see it in Google Play / Market - even though they can run Netflix Youtube etc no problem.