Go To Latest Video ReviewsMulti-Platform BBC iPlayer Live
| Author | Hugo Jobling |
| Published | 19th Dec 2008 |
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TrustedReviews NewslettersIt's been a long time coming, but the multi-platform iPlayer is finally here. Yes folks, the one that works not only on windows XP and Vista, but also Mac OSX (10.5 and 10.4), Fedora Core 8, Ubuntu 7.10 and Open Suse 10.3. Feel free to crack open the champagne now.
Currently in Beta and available via the iPlayer Labs, the new download manager is built on Adobe's AIR platform which means that, in theory, any OS that supports that could be added to the list also supported by the iPlayer, eventually. A download manager that works on the Linux installs used by many netbooks would be pretty awesome, if you ask me.
Currently there are a few catches to using the new download manager, foremost of which is many programmes aren't actually working with it. However, that should improve over time - the new manager was only released yesterday after all. Doubtless some fusspots will criticise the use of DRM, too, but given this is free content I'm disinclined to agree.
The trial period for the new AIR-based download manager will last until, roughly, February next year (making a nice birthday present for me). If you're reading this on a Mac, I suggest you head over to the BBC Labs, enable the new download manager and get downloading!
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needlegun said on 19th December 2008
Pbryanw said on 19th December 2008
Why, what's the matter with Adobe Air? (opens can of worms?).
Pbryanw said on 19th December 2008
One program guaranteed to download onto your Mac or Linux iPlayer:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00g333l/Watchdog_15_12_2008/
Shame it's ... more
Bluepork said on 23rd December 2008
Thought I should report in with this: Although I have a Power PC based Mac G4, and the iplayer website does say that the Mac download version only works for Intel based Macs, I tho... more
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It uses Adobe Air.... thanks but no thanks.