The BBC has released free, standalone iPlayer apps for iPad and Android, with plans to launch a subscription-based version in the US in April.
The iPad edition features a more suitable, tablet-sized layout than its web-app predecessor.
The app includes panels for featured and most popular shows, a “For You” page that finds programmes the viewer might like based on previous viewings, channel or station guide layout, a vast array of categories and a search bar.
Viewers can also add shows to your favourites, by picking up the show’s icon and dragging it onto a favourites bar up top. The app will then automatically nudge the viewer towards newly broadcast episodes or series of their favourite programmes.
However, unlike the PC version of iPlayer, you can’t download programmes for offline viewing.
And while you can browse the app and put programmes in your favourites bar over 3G, you’ll need to be in a Wi-Fi hotspot to actually watch anything. No support for iPhone and iPod touch, currently, is also a major disappointment.
The iPad app will also be available in the US from April, on a paid subscription basis.
