New BBC iPlayer arrives on Windows Phone 8
James R | On 29, May 2014
The new version of BBC iPlayer is now available on Windows Phone 8.
The upgrade of the broadcaster’s VOD platform on Microsoft’s smartphones follows a range of updates, beginning with an all-new interface for TVs and desktop computers and rolling out across iOS and Android devices, as well as Amazon’s Kindle and Sky.
The new features include switching to an adaptive bitrate media player, designed to support those with slower Internet connections, subtitles, live TV, and the other interface improvements, such as a new Home, Channel and Category page.
Radio content has been removed, with a separate iPlayer app being developed for Windows Phone 8.
“We’ve put a lot of effort into improving the general app experience. This update is far more stable and is expected to work with a wider range of Windows Phones,” says Navin Nair, a Business Analyst on the iPlayer team.
“We know this was one of the main gripes with the original app and we’re keen to do more for a steadily growing user base. We would love to add features like downloads once the market share increases to the point we can justify the additional development and infrastructure costs.”