The BBC is planning some substantial developments for the iPlayer over the next few months – here’s the lowdown:
Channel surfing: The Beeb’s developing a “Next” application that will simulate channel surfing on the iPlayer. Users will be able to tweak an EQ-style device to show their preferences for different genres of programming, with a “Next” button linking to shows suggested by the iPlayer. BBC Future Media and Technology head of online media group Anthony Rose notes that, “It's better than regular TV because programmes always start at the beginning."
Synchronised iPlayer: A new application will enable users to synchronise iPlayer across all of their media devices. You’ll be able to stop watching on one device and pick up where you left off on another – so if you’re at the computer watching Dawn Goes Lesbian and need to go downstairs for dinner with the family, your Nintendo Wii downstairs will remember where you stopped viewing. We can see a possible flaw in this plan.
iPlayer on Freesat: iPlayer is coming to Freesat in the Autumn! We’ve blogged about this exciting development here.
Friend Recommendations: iPlayer will enable you to share your viewing experience with your MSN messenger contacts. A new set of tabs at the top of the page will show which programmes your friends have been watching, and how you rated them. You can also send an alert to your friends each time you watch a new programme. So your friends and family can find out just what you think of Dawn Goes Lesbian. Again, we can see a possible flaw in this plan.
iPlayer on Freeview: The BBC’s working on a set of standards for next-gen Freeview and Freesat kit, set to arrive in 2010, which will enable iPlayer to run on the new STBs. Check out our news story here.
