The BBC has launched its own iPhone app, aimed at enhancing mobile access to its online news service.
The smartphone app allows uses to access the BBC News site, as well as the Sport headlines and its iPlayer system. The service has been welcomed by loyal users, but the BBC Trust has had to defend its decision to launch it without first running one of its public value tests.
The public value tests are used by the broadcaster to weigh up public value against market impact. The initial assessment of the application, however, led bosses to believe that its value was unquestionable.
The trustees determined it would have a "positive impact on users by providing easier access to online content, but would not provide any new content".
They deemed the financial implications of the development of the project to be "low and not significant" and that the estimated cost of developing apps is less than one per cent of the current BBC Online budget – well below the 10 per cent threshold for approval.
The trust added that other apps for other operating systems – such as Google's Android and the BlackBerry – would be made available as soon as possible.
