Sony, MS want control of PS3, Xbox iPlayer, Beeb boss claims
Our platform, our iPlayer
The BBC's launch of a version of its iPlayer for the Wii left one question on gamers’ lips: why isn’t the streaming service also available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3? This week, the broadcaster claimed it’s because Microsoft and Sony were too demanding.
Erik Huggers, head of future media and technology at the BBC, said in a Corporation blog that both manufacturers want the service for their consoles, but each wants too much control over iPlayer’s look and feel.
“If you want to get [iPlayer] on the PlayStation or Xbox, they want control of the look, the feel and the experience. They want it done within their shop, and their shop only,” Huggers claimed.
BBC blogger Darren Waters, the author of the BBC blog, concluded that, on the PS3 at least, iPlayer support is "almost inevitable". Sony states the PS3 is an open platform and features a web browser, so the console will only require an update to the browser app in order for iPlayer to run successfully on the machine. As a result, Waters believes “Sony gamers shouldn’t be too distraught”.
Since the Xbox 360 has no browser, the Microsoft console is far less likely to get iPlayer, Walters suggested.
The launch of iPlayer has already caused the BBC and ISPs to row over who should pay for the extra network costs incurred because of the extra strain that the service supposedly puts on networks.
Network upgrade costs should be met by ISPs, according to the BBC. But a spokesman for ISP Tiscali has already said that the BBC should contribute to the cost.
COMMENTS
PS3 games console
Some of you have stated "isn't it supposed to be a games console".
Well, it was originally, but since Sony were sooooo slow in releasing it games makers have picked the 360 as their development platform and simply port stuff over to the PS3 rather than putting any effort into making use of the PS3s undoubted extra power. Theres also the complete lack of a single PS3 "killer" game which would make anyone buy it simply to play that game. 360 had Halo 3, Wii Mario Galaxy, wheres the PS3 only killer game? Answer, there isn't one. Just "pretty" racing games, second rate Halo wanna-bes and not alot else.
Sony have realised this and are pushing it as anything but a games console.
Its also interesting that everyone got on the backs of Apple when they wanted control over iPhone apps but Sony are being noble and just in wanting to "protect" the PS3. Shoes on the other foot now huh?
M$
The M$ thing is still relevant as Microsoft are obsessed with money, not making good software. If they reduce their prices to something in line with reality, say where they make a 20% markup instead of 90%, and they become focused on making good and secure (ish) software then the M$ thing could be dropped. Until then it stays relevant because of their obsession.
Let me give you two examples:
Office 2007 is not about making a good product but extracting as much money from companies as possible. This moved onto the road to failure because of the ODF standard so Microsoft standardised OOXML. Why? Money!
Vista. 6 different versions of crippleware and if you don't like it you have to pay again to 'downgrade' to XP (unless you already own a full copy).
And fair enough too
One doesn't invest a bilion or so dollars in a piece of hardware to have some third party, even someone as reputable as the BBC, come along and hand you a piece of software without wanting fairly good control over how it integrates with your system.
Apple has taught the world how important the look and feel are. And they would be quite right too.
I'm totally with Sony (and MS, yerk...) on this one.
@steve
BUT we know they do use the same flash player (7), so its something else the beeb has done to stop the ps3 from accessing it - must be a browser agent.
