In addition, when switching back to the video player element of the app, content playback will now resume automatically. Both of the updates improve the interrupt user experience (i.e. what happens when you switch away from, and then switch back to, the iPlayer app), something that's always going to be important on a multi-tasking smartphone.
Here's how we described the iPlayer app on its debut earlier this year:
The app makes it easy to find content either by browsing through the featured and popular content shown on the app's open page, by performing a keyword search (e.g. search for actor or programme name), viewing available content by category (genre), or by browsing by channel name and date / time. You can also choose to add shows to a favourites page, making it faster to find subsequent episodes in the same series.
TV content plays back in a dedicated video player, with the standard controls, including the ability to seek through a timeline to any point in the current programme. Audio content uses a similar player, but adds an option for background audio playback, including integration with Windows Phone's standard audio controls.
We would still like to see a native BBC iPlayer client for Windows Phone, similar to the 4oD and Demand 5 apps that were launched last month. Adding the ability to download content for offline viewing and the ability to view live TV would also be logical next steps. Furthermore, we would also like to see some of the BBC's other mobile apps make their way on to Microsoft's platform, especially given that Windows Phone devices now make up more than 10% of smartphone sales in the UK.
Windows Phone Store description:
Watch and listen to BBC TV and radio programmes from the last 7 days on BBC iPlayer.
Features include:
- On demand content over Wi-Fi and 3G.
- Add shows to your favourites so new episodes are quick to find for you to enjoy later.
- Ability to listen to BBC Radio in the background.
BBC iPlayer is a free download from the Windows Phone Store. The app is only available in the UK and content is region locked (i.e. will not play when connecting using an IP address outside the UK).