BBC applications for iPhone

The BBC have announced that they plan to offer news and sport applications (or ‘apps’) for the iPhone.

The free applications have been developed because of the trend in consumers using more “sophisticated handheld devices”. The applications are also expected to be made available for the Blackberry device, as well as phones running on Google’s Android software.

Research analysts at CCS Insight said that the move could potentially "increase tension between publishers of paid-for content and those reliant on other revenue" at a time when the news industry is struggling to find a suitable business model for its industry online.

Other news organisations have applications available, including the Guardian in which is only available for a fee. Emily Bell, digital content director said that this news comes at a time when "Applications are a long way away from being 'broadcast' media, and, unlike the web, they form a market which the BBC is seeking to disrupt." Other critics say that BBC should concentrate on applications that people can access no matter what device they are using rather than being iPhone specific.

The iPhone BBC news application is expected to be released in April, with access to written stories, audio, video and correspondent blogs. Users will be able to send comments and pictures directly to the BBC News room.

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