BBC iPlayer AIR application launches

The BBC iPlayer has had a lot of criticism from Mac and Linux users for not being compatible with their operating systems. But the BBC has now launched a solution. They have developed an Adobe Integrated Runtime application that obviously runs on on all three platforms. Windows, Mac and Linux.

This has all been developed to meet the needs of the BBC trust that means all downloaded programmes must be deleted after 30 days or 24 hours after the first play. This was all possible through Microsoft’s DRM technology that runs in their WMA files. Obviously isn’t compatible with any other operating system. So now the iPlayer is compatible with the following operating systems:

• Windows Vista
• Windows XP
• Mac OS X 10.4
• Mac OS X 10.5
• Fedora Core 8
• Ubuntu 7.10
• Open Suse 10.3

So with this AIR application you can download the TV episodes so they can be viewed offline. I think it’s a great idea as their current application doesn;t work with all browsers on Windows, they had to create a firefox extension, but this still left Safari and Chrome out. So this is the natural solution, though I was suprised an organisation such as the BBC has created an application using the AIR technology. Whats your opionion? Are you a Mac or Linux user that has been waiting?

[Download the AIR app]

No comments yet.

Leave a comment