ABC Mobile goes live
The ABC today made its biggest move yet into mobile technology with the launch of ABC Mobile.
Despite previous speculation that the service would be ad-supported, the ABC told Mumbrella this morning that this would not be the case and there would be no advertising.
ABC MD Mark Scott announced the move at a staff meeting. The service – optimised for handsets – will carry news, sport and entertainment, localised weather and radio schedules, movire reviews and session times plus ABC TV schedules. He said:
“The ABC is already a leading provider of digital media content in Australia. But we are now delivering even more with this significant move onto the mobile platform. ABC Mobile provides yet another way for Australian’s to access reliable, quality content wherever and whenever they choose.”
Because of Australia’s high mobile data costs, the service will initially focus on text and static images. However, video and audio will follow later this year, he said.
Scott also announced an ABC iPhone application and a news application for the new Google G1 Android handsets.
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Why did the ABC need to develop custom “news” applications for the iPhone and G1? To show text and photos? To play audio and video? That’s all doable from the browser on both devices.
I bet you a shiny new donkey that the only reason they’ve made custom clients is so they could add some asinine bullshit like taking and submitting a photo.
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shuddup senator… back to your doghouse… go an beat up on a bad telco if yr angry! or if you dare! @terrortv
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I agree that this can be done in any mobile browser but I am sure the reason why they have contracted a third party development house to build both Android and iPhone apps for more than 80K is that they will be streaming ABC news 24/7 inlcude the new breakfast show. Otherwise someone needs to review their budget…I wonder what the KPIs are? At least they have not gone down the road of adding advertising yet like the newly launched global mobile BBC portal (they can’t do it in the UK obviously)…although…if advertising meant they spent less of our tax money I might go for it. Makes you wonder why they are still on a carrier portal
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When will carriers come to the party and decrease the data charges?
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