BBC iPlayer app hits iPad this week

The BBC's iPlayer app for the Apple iPad will arrive this week. A BBC engineer has let slip that the app will hit tablets on 10 February.

BBC online engineer Geoff Marshall, a self-described "Beeb operational techie", tweeted "iPlayer App for iPad is being released this Thursday - 10th Feb. 3G connection is browse only. Browse+Playback requires Wi-Fi."

Marshall hedged his bets in further tweets by saying the app will launch on either Thursday or Friday. He told excited tweeters he'd got the information from a briefing, but he couldn't add details as he isn't a developer.

Marshall has confirmed that a US version will follow in June. The BBC is opening up a new Global iPlayer to international users who pay a subscription, and the app will follow the same paid principle. He also said there would be no iPhone version of the app.

iPlayer isn't off-limits to iPad and other tablet users, however. The site is optimised for Apple's tablet, and can also be viewed on devices running recent versions of Android.

Marshall is on a roll: he also tweeted that UK Radio Player, the new radio version of iPlayer, was due to launch ths week but has been delayed until March. He then revealed that from today, a new interlinking feature will allow you to link to non-BBC programmes from iPlayer.

Other BBC apps include games for popular programmes Doctor Who and Top Gear.