New Technology Reviews!.: iPlayer

Google TV 2.0 to run Honeycomb, Android Market apps

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
 
<img alt="Google TV 2.0 to run Honeycomb, Android Market apps" class="aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/c7688b61c7470-75.jpg.jpg" src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/c7688b61c7470-75.jpg.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /> 
Google has announced a software update for its UK-bound Google TV service, which incorporates the Android Market and Honeycomb OS for the first time. 
Google TV 2.0 opens up the service to third party developers via the Android Market, which means all existing applications can be rewritten for the TV screen and new ones can be created. 
With Google TV set to launch in the UK early next year, this opens the possibility for the likes of Spotify, BBC iPlayer, LOVEFiLM and Sky Go to have native applications for the service. 
<h4 style="font-size: 1em;">
Numbers will grow</h4>
In a post on the official Google TV blog, the company says: "We are opening up the TV to the creativity of content creators large and small through Android Market. 
"Android developers can now bring existing mobile apps or entirely new ones to TV. 
"Initially, the number of apps won't be large – apps requiring a touch screen, GPS, or telephony won't show up – but 50 developers have seeded the Market with cool and useful apps for the TV. We're excited to see the number of apps grow." 
The new Google TV, which runs a variant of the Android Honeycomb OS seen on tablets like the Motorola Xoom, also has an overhauled, simplified interface which makes finding content easier. 
Another big improvement looks to be the YouTube app. Google says it has completely overhauled the way the video sharing portal works on Google TV, with the company also integrating YouTube into the system's content search. 
<h4 style="font-size: 1em;">
Google TV: All bets are off</h4>
When Eric Schmidt announced Google TV would be coming to the UK, many felt that the horse had already bolted, following a disappointing reception in the US due to the lack of content available. 
With news that all content providers, as well as game developers can now push their wares using the service, it makes the Google TV proposition an entirely different and much more interesting one. 
We're actually quite excited now. 
</div>

Google TV 2.0 to run Honeycomb, Android Market apps

Google has announced a software update for its UK-bound Google TV service, which incorporates the Android Market and Honeycomb OS for the...

Virgin Media TiVo service gets full BBC iPlayer app

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/video/personal-video-recorders-pvrs/TiVo/apps_2-200-200.jpg"> The <a href="">Virgin Media TiVo</A> box has been given a key update, with the BBC iPlayer app coming out of beta and now apparently offering HD catch-up of Auntie's programmes. The iPlayer app is already on the boxes, but was a beta offering with several bugs which have, presumably, now been ironed out. The BBC catch-up service has proven to be phenomenally popular on Virgin Media, and the extension of a full app onto the Virgin Media TiVo box will be good news for many who have got their hands on the eagerly anticipated kit. Taking advantage "Taking advantage of the power to run dedicated 'connected' applications on the TiVo powered set-top box, a new BBC iPlayer app can be found in the growing 'Apps and Games' section and offers the full library of BBC iPlayer content, including catch-up shows in HD as well as radio shows for the first time ever," a Virgin Media spokesperson told TechRadar. "With around 1,000 hours available - previously 350 hours - to watch from the last seven days and other new features such as subtitling and signing, the new service will also gain new functionality over time and supersedes the existing BBC iPlayer serviceon Virgin Media to provide the most complete TV on Demand service possible." As TechRadar's <a href="">Virgin Media TiVo review</A> discovered, the latest PVR on offer is a powerful beast but in need of a bit of a polish – and a refreshed BBC iPlayer app is certainly a step in the right direction. <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/y8uQDqss3_A/story01.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Article</A>

Virgin Media TiVo service gets full BBC iPlayer app

The Virgin Media TiVo box has been given a key update, with the BBC iPlayer app coming out of beta and now apparently offering HD catch-up ...

BBC iPlayer views still on the up

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com///classifications/home-entertainment/tv/images/btvision_iplayer_listing1EE-200-200.jpg"> The BBC's latest iPlayer stats have arrived and show a small increase in streams in November but a massive increase over the same period last year. 141 million requests for TV and Radio programmes in November is slightly up on October – but 32 per cent more than November 2009, illustrating the growth in desire for video on demand. It was also a record month for those people who use Virgin Media's iPlayer service to catch up on BBC shows. Playing Lip Service The Apprentice, Merlin, Spooks and Russell Howard's Good News all performed well, and we're shocked to find that raunchy lesbian drama Lip Service contributed to a strong month in drama. "Live TV viewing via the BBC iPlayer increased in November to make up 13 per cent of all requests, boosted by Children In Need and sport coverage. Live radio also grew slightly," <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2010/12/november_bbc_iplayer_monthly_p.html">blogged</A> the BBC's Bridget Middleton. "The Unbelievable Truth was the most requested radio programme, with The News Quiz and The Chris Moyles Show also popular. "It was also a strong month for sport coverage on 5 Live with the football Premier League, and the Haye v Harrison boxing match."

BBC iPlayer views still on the up

The BBC's latest iPlayer stats have arrived and show a small increase in streams in November but a massive increase over the same perio...

BBC iPlayer views still on the up

BBC iPlayer views still on the up

The BBC's latest iPlayer stats have arrived and show a small increase in streams in November but a massive increase over the same perio...

BBC: iPlayer on BT Vision is a 'major advance'

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/tv/images/btvision_iplayer_listing1EE-200-200.jpg"> The BBC has given an insight into its decision to offer the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/television/bt-vision-to-offer-bbc-iplayer-catch-up-service-907316">iPlayer on BT Vision</A> – suggesting the partnership represents a 'major advance'. The success of the iPlayer on Virgin Media's cable service and on both PS3 and Wii have been proof that consumers are keen to watch catch-up TV on their traditional television sets. And a partnership with BT now means that the iPlayer will be accessible through the BT Vision IPTV service. Connected audience "Opening BBC iPlayer on TV to such a large connected audience represents a major advance in our effort to bring the full BBC iPlayer experience to TVs, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2010/11/bbc_iplayer_on_bt_vision_under.html">blogged TV iPlayer product manager Gideon Summerfield</A>. "Already, nearly a third of all TV programmes enjoyed through BBC iPlayer are watched using TV-connected devices including games consoles, set-top boxes, disc players and connected TVs. "This is all the more enjoyable when the experience is accessed from the same remote as the TV, as is the case with BT Vision." Presentation framework The BBC blog also outlined the technology that was used to bring the service to BT Vision. "BT Vision's set-top boxes use the Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV platform to deliver TV on demand alongside TV broadcast over Freeview, added Summerfield. "Last year Microsoft added a technology to this called Presentation Framework (MSPF) to let IPTV network operators add extra services delivered over the Web. "We partnered with Pushbutton to build the BBC iPlayer app on BT Vision using this technology. You'll see the experience is pretty slick!"

BBC: iPlayer on BT Vision is a 'major advance'

The BBC has given an insight into its decision to offer the iPlayer on BT Vision – suggesting the partnership represents a 'major advan...

BT Vision to offer BBC iPlayer catch-up service

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/tv/images/btvision_iplayer_listing1EE-200-200.jpg"> BT Vision will soon have the BBC iPlayer, with two of the biggest British brands announcing a deal to bring the catch up TV service to the IPTV platform. BT and the BBC are already working closely on the forthcoming YouView, and the two will now collaborate on iPlayer for the former's BT Vision television over internet platform. The iPlayer will be introduced 'over the next five months' with roll-out beginning in December and all customers granted access by April 2011. Record breaker The BBC-branded application will be accessed through the programme menu and is the full iPlayer package – offering 'almost all' of the television and radio programmes available on the online iPlayer. Daniel Danker, BBC General Manager for Programmes and On Demand, said:"October was a record month for BBC iPlayer witha total of 139 million programme requests on computers, TVs and mobiles. "Over 20 million of those requests were delivered to TVs. Licence-fee payers love the option of enjoying BBC iPlayer's high-quality experience and vast choice of programmes on the living-room TV, and we're delighted to be able to bring the service to BT Vision." Significant move The move is a significant one given the history between the two – with BT the biggest critic of the strain that video applications like the iPlayer put on its network and, at one stage, traffic managing connections to the online player. Marc Watson, chief executive of television and online services, BT Retail, said:"We are really excited to be partnering with the BBC to bring the BBC iPlayer service to BT Vision customers. "The launch of BBC iPlayer on BT Vision adds to the vast range of quality entertainment already available to our customers."

BT Vision to offer BBC iPlayer catch-up service

BT Vision will soon have the BBC iPlayer, with two of the biggest British brands announcing a deal to bring the catch up TV service to the I...