The bbc iplayer adobe air version has been rolled out to Android devices

The bbc has now rolled out their new iPlayer adobe air version called the bbc media player to Android 2.2 devices and upwards.  This update is a response to Adobes decision not to offer flash support on newer devices and that have the newer Jelly bean software. This replaces the adobe flash based version that works with Android version 2.2 and upwards until Android Jelly bean that is not officially supported by the Adobe flash plugin.  Although Adobe did state that after the 15th of August they will not be offering the Adobe plugin for new android devices, but they then brought it back on a temporary basis due to pressure from organisations such as the BBC.  

However new BBC Media Player uses the same poor quality streaming format and bitrates as the old iPlayer app. They should have used the new Http Live Streaming (HLS) solution as they do in iOS, which produces a far superior picture quality. Even when you set the app at the highest settings, the video quality is still a lot to be desired. Its a long way from HD quality – it’s watchable on a phone but very pixelated on a 7” or larger tablet. 

This move follows other companies such as ITV that are now using Adobe air as a solution to power the multimedia playback within their Android apps.

For more information see the bbc iplayer blog

 

 

Adobe flash is offered again on Googles play store

The company previously started withdrawing its support for flash for mobile devices on the Android Play store last August, stating that the development of the code had been halted for the flash player. But after pressure was put on the company by its strategic partners including the BBC, the company decided to reinstall it on a temporary bases. 

A spokesperson for Adobe told the BBC : “Flash Player continues to be available on Google Play for users in the UK for a short while due to requests from strategic partners.”

No official date has been set for it’s removal, but it is likely to come soon. But before it’s removal, the adobe flash plugin was one of the most popular plugins within the Google play store. 

However it worth pointing out that this plugin will not work with the latest OS version called Android 4.1 which is also known as Jelly Bean.

Its worth pointing that when the flash plug in does finally get phased out on mobile devices it will not mean the end of many useful apps. Certain companies such as the BBC are already working on creating alternative applications, that will work without the need for the Adobe flash plug in.