BBC talk about the development of the iPlayer app for iPhone

Last week, the BBC introduced its iPlayer for iPhone app for UK television license payers. The app allows domestic viewers to view live BBC TV and radio and watch catch-up TV over Wi-Fi and 3G.

It's a major app in the UK and was downloaded 1.1 million times in its first week of availability, with 500,000 of those downloads to users who had never downloaded the iPlayer app previously. The BBC told the Guardian newspaper that 16.5 million programs have been watched on the mobile version of iPlayer thus far this year, up 129 percent year-over-year.

Chris Elphick, senior designer leading the BBC iPlayer iPhone App project, lays out the thoughts and processes behind the design of the iPlayer for iPhone UI.
For a major project that will be used by millions of people, extensive testing and design is necessary to make the app both easy-to-use and to avoid unnecessarily taxing 3G and Wi-Fi networks.

"Earlier I mentioned the opportunities that designing for mobile offers us. One, of course is the ability to change orientation. There was a frequent debate within the design team as to the importance of portrait versus landscape - whether or not it was helpful, necessary or even pleasing to present content differently in a landscape view compared to portrait.

We explored multiple possibilities for landscape views dependent on where you are within the app. In early designs we considered showing as much content as possible in a single view but we felt it wasn't taking full advantage of the screen real estate, nor presenting anything new.

User research, told us that certain users including those who are dyslexic liked the simplicity of a more visual menu with fewer options.

BBC iPlayer is a universal app for iPhone and iPad, free on the App Store for United Kingdom users only.

The BBC global iPlayer app, which was updated earlier this month, is available in most of Western Europe and Canada -- and is coming to the United States. The app doesn't have the Live-TV, DVR and TV catch-up features that the British version does -- instead, it's a video-on-demand subscription service that gives access to selected portions of the BBC archive.

Walter Isaacson looking to expand Steve Jobs Story

Fortune reports on comments from Steve Jobs biographer Walter Isaacson suggesting that he may not yet be finished working on the book, with Isaacson currently considering several ideas for expanding the authorized biography. Among the ideas are an addendum more fully describing the events surrounding Jobs' death in early October or adding extensive annotations to the existing content to flesh out the story with additional information.
"The author discussed potential plans for expanding the already 630-page book in the future. One possibility is doing an extensively annotated version. Another is writing an addendum that addresses the period surrounding Jobs' death. Fleshing out the details seems like a logical next step, since Isaacson believes the Apple (AAPL) CEO's story will be told for decades or a century to come. "This is the first or second draft," he said, referring to his book's role in documenting Jobs' life. "It's not the final draft."
Isaacson's biography of Jobs recently became Amazon's best-selling print book in 2011 and named the company's best-selling new release of 2011 for combined print and digital sales, both remarkable achievements given that the book was not published until late October.

iPad mini rumours revived

Digitimes once again revives talk of a 7.85-Inch iPad. According to the site, Apple is likely to launch a 7.85-inch iPad prior to 4th quarter of 2012 in addition to a new iPad at the end of the 1st quarter. Apple reportedly is looking to take on the increasing number of competitors such as Android's 7-inch Kindle Fire:
However, in order to cope with increasing market competition including the 7-inch Kindle Fire from Amazon and the launch of large-size smartphones from handset vendors, Apple has been persuaded into the development of 7.85-inch iPads, the sources indicated.

"There's been enough talk of such a device that it seems certain that Apple has at least been prototyping one over the past year. This previous mockup of such a device was discussed a year ago as a possibility:

iTunes Match now available in the UK & other international Countries

iTune Match may have been available in the US for sometime but the UK & others have now got the music matching, iCloud using service.
It's being offered at £21.99 for a years subscription so get on registering if it takes your fancy!

Grand Theft Auto 3 App is live (Updated)

It's been 10 years since RockStar Games released GTA 3 in stores and its now been converted to a universal iOS app, really build to take advantage of the powerful graphics capabilities in the iPad 2 & iPhone 4S, it's now available for iPhone 4 and iPod Touch. This great title should be a winner. I will post my review in the coming weeks.
Available now for £2.99 from the app store.

UPDATE

now reduced to £1.99 catch it while you can.


View the trailer on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsmSw_WDuUQ

image property of RockStar Games

Steve Jobs: Billion Dollar Hippy Airs on BBC

The documentary broadcast by the BBC was very good, had some great insights into a man that changed everyones view of computers, digital devices, music and how a to run a company, not to mention his hollywood movie involvements at Pixar. He never really invented anything but made those around him invent what he saw in his mind, no matter how hard the task.

He wasn't a saint or perfect but he pushed the boundaries like no other leader, often upsetting people in the process, often taking others ideas as his own.

The Beeb managed to speak with John Sculley, he was candide, discussing Job's ousting as a mistake in hidesight but believing many people those days where let go from companies if they where distruptive.

If you get a chance to watch it on iPlayer its well worth it in viewing not only Jobs but Apple also.

or watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WphgnZI5YQw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Developer Review- Medl Mobile

Medl Mobile are a major contributor to the Apple App Store.
Born from an idea of two guys, Andrew Maltin & Dave Swartz, they have ebarked on a quest to create a great company to make mobile apps with great people, not just there great employee's.
There App Incubator program is there to offer anyone who thinks they have a great idea for an app, even with no computing knowledge, Medl might make it a reality. Go to there website and summit your idea, if they approve, you could be financially rewarded!

I think its great and i believe in the power of allowing people with great ideas a chance to shine.

a developer review wouldn't be right without checking out a few of there apps
First i played Boxhead, a Zombie game that is fairly well put together and would keep you entertained for hours, you play as a guy called Jon Bambo and you have all kinds of weapons to help you get by in this Zombie environment, hoping to not become one. Takes tactics to really excell but would recommend. £1.99 from the App Store.
Then i tried there most recent title DJ Pauly D-Beat that boardwalk. You know, if you watch Jersey Shore who this tanned Guido is.
This title is styled very much on the sega megadrive look, non of this ultra real graphics, It brings back that ninties nostalgia. The game revolves simply on keeping his tan, doing some gym work, pulling the girls and listen to tunes all while staying clear of the other dudes & bosses, with 3 levels to complete, instead of these games with repetitively boring amounts to complete, your less likely to give up. I liked the game and think it would appeal to the teenage crowd. 69p from the App Store.

for more info on MEDL mobile you can check out there website at www.medlmobile.com
Follow @shoesmith81 for all stuff from MEDL on Twitter

Apple Computer original founding contract sold for near £1.1million

The original contract that Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne signed to make Apple officially a company, registered as Apple Computer Company in 1976 was sold at auction for more than ten times its estimated value. Selling for just under £1.1 million or $1.6 million by Sotherby's.

Microsoft release Kinectimals into the iOS wild.

Microsoft have pushed out there doors the first of the iOS games,  a rejigged version of there Xbox Kinect game Kinectimals for £1.99 for all iOS devices from the "App Store".

Aimed at young children,  its a game where you interact with virtual animals. Used together it last years release of Microsoft's Kinect motion controller, its allows you to play with these Zoo pets.

"his irresistible mobile experience gives you the chance to use your phone to visit the island of Lemuria and play with, care for and fall in love with your very own cub. Bring your pet with you wherever you go! If you’ve already experienced Kinectimals on Kinect for Xbox 360, your phone becomes the key to unlocking five new cubs on your console."

This is a major thing, it shows Microsoft are willing to be serious in producing for the iOS platform and are not just sticking with making apps for there Windows phone OS. Its adding of "My Xbox Live" app this past week and there "Halo Waypoint" companion app,  Microsoft are wanting to really show there software pedigree and possible long term commitment to producing iOS apps.

Apple poised to buy Flash Storage company

Tech Cruch has reported Apple is considering purchasing an Israel-based company called Anobit for $400-$500 million.

Anobit produce Flash based storage which Apple already used in its iDevices and the MacBook Air.

A multi million dollar acquisition would make Anobit one of Apple's largest acquisitions ever. Prior to that, you have to look back to when Apple paid $404 million to acquire NeXT Inc, which in turn brought back Steve Jobs to the company he founded.

Update: The initial reports suggested that Anobit had production facilities, but it's since been clarified that the company is a fabless designer in the same vein as P.A. Semi and Intrinsity.

BBC iPlayer now gets live broadcasting over 3G

BBC's iPlayer for iPhone and iPad 3G has arrived in the UK with 3G streaming of live BBC TV and radio. 

The BBC announced the app on there blog site, noting that 1.5 million users have installed the iPlayer for iPad app, and 16.5 million programs were watched on mobile devices. up 129% year-over-year. With the new iPhone and iPod Touch app, that number should keep increasing 

The UK version of iPlayer allows domestic viewers to view live BBC TV and radio and watch catch-up TV over Wi-Fi and 3G.

 

iPlayer is trademark of the BBC

iOS 5.1 in Beta testing, Photo Stream picture deletion included

iOS 5.1 is in Beta stage 2 with developers, this has been reported to include the ability to delete Photo stream photos which was the biggest gripe for iOS device owners.

Mac App Store reaches 100 million downloads

Apple has announced it has its Mac app store has hit the 100 million mark.
Here's what they had to say.

“In just three years the App Store changed how people get mobile apps, and now the Mac App Store is changing the traditional PC software industry,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “With more than 100 million downloads in less than a year, the Mac App Store is the largest and fastest growing PC software store in the world.”

App store logo is trademark of Apple Inc.

iPad 3 predicted to be coming March-April time

If your like me and you love to know whats around the corner, then this may be right up your street.
Digitimes has reported the next generation iPad is on its way and could be on sale as early as March, with iPad 2 sales peaking and Apple not wanting to seen too much decline, they are preparing the new edition of there blockbuster post PC Device, iPad 3, rumoured to be touting the "Retina Display".

"OEM production of iPad 2 will remain high at 14-15 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011 but decline to 4-5 million units in the first quarter of 2012, paving the way for the launch of the new iPads, the sources noted."

App deals and updates

If you haven't seen already there are plenty of festive deals to be had on the App Store.
This weekends rundown of whats hot starts with FIFA 12 currently 69p, taking the top spot on the paid for charts for iPhone, with its success as a console game, its iOS version from EA is great if you can't live without it on your travels over Christmas.
If your looking for something free, look no further than Flight Control for both iPhone & iPad. Available this weekend for nothing, so get it now before its too late. Apple's 12 days of christmas app is out and offers free stuff, from songs to music videos from iTunes for 12 days starting 26th December.

As for updates there have been a lot, the few stand out ones this week have been iBooks, with its new night time reading theme which will surely be welcomed by partners of bedtime readers. Angry Birds has turned the ripe old age of 2 and to celebrate its birthday, they have given you new birthday cake levels for free to keep you entertained. Finally Infinity Blade 2 has had some performance updates keeping any bugs a bay, so you defeat the deathless uninterupted.

Welcome to the Good, the Bad & the Best of Apple

Welcome to GoodBadApple, a totally new place to find all the new hype, rumour and insight into Cupertino's most famous company, Apple.

Having a passion for technology, I am always hunting for whats happening. In more recent times it's shown that Apple's product are for the most part industry benchmarks, So that said, you surely want to know what the next big thing will be from the iCrowd!

I will do my best to let you know all the news and gossip daily, but unlike other tech sites or blogs, i won't waffle on and just give you the straight information in brief with photos & videos to get you ready for the next keynote speech all the way to product launches.

Image posted is property of Apple but designed by Jonathan Mak.