Mobile App Development Article – BBC iPlayer
Interesting behind the scenes on keeping things feature rich while keeping the UI within their own brand guidelines as well as the mobile OS’s design guides.
In essence the iPlayer Apps contain the same features and content, but of course Android users, for example, have a different expectation of how to navigate from iOS users. Gestural interactions are a good example of differences between the user interfaces.
Gestures: get me there quick!
Network and Wifi connectivity is obviously a major concern when it comes to using apps. To reduce the number of journeys and page loads we looked at implementing gestures that would let the audience trigger actions more quickly.
An earlier idea we had for revealing additional functionality without having to go through to an episode page. A ‘long press’ on a programme would reveal the icons.
With a wealth of potential flicks, taps, and drags to choose from we have kept things simple. To reveal the favourites star on the app, you simply swipe on a programme item in a portrait list.
Swipe and tap the star to favourite a programme
And to play a programme immediately and by-pass the epsiode page, you can simple double tap on any programme item in a vertical list.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2011/12/iphone_bbc_iplayer_design.html