[pfgpowell]

My brother who knows not a lot about computers etc bought himself a Google Nexus 7, turned it on and was immediately upset that iPlayer and other TV apps won't work. This suprised me as a colleague bought one a month or two ago and I remember playing iPlayer on it. But then that was with 4.1. So when I got to work I borrowed his Nexus and found it, too, had installed 4.2 by default and now his, too, can't get iPlayer etc.
Now I'm sure this will all be sorted out in the next few weeks, but you would have thought Google would have held back on releasing 4.2 until they knew it was as compatible with everything as 4.1 was. But apparently not.

[b1ackb1rd]

Have you tried to update the errant programmes?

[Roush]

Except that one of the main points of the Nexus devices is that they get updates straight away.

The problem stems from the way Google release Android. They do not provide developers with early access to new platform versions, meaning developers are always on the back foot when a new Android version comes out.

Historically this wasn't a huge issue due to the delays in new Android versions getting onto OEM devices, so developers could use that systemic distribution delay to get their apps ready, but with the Nexus devices now being pushed as consumer products, and updates available immediately, it is creating a bigger problem with app compatibility.

[crowncd]

Was just about to make my purchase of the Nexus 7 but I'm concerned that I won't be able to use BBC iPlayer or the newish BBC Radio app by the sounds of it.
I assume these 'bugs' will be fixed in 4.2 but could anyone give any indication as to how long this should take? Am I looking at days, weeks or months?
Many thanks.

[Roush]

It's not an issue with Android its self, it's the apps not being certified by their developers to run on 4.2, or in specific hardware & software combinations.

As others have pointed out on other threads, some apps do actually seem to run fine if you sideload them, but that means finding and downloading them from untrusted sources.

Also, just to point out, the iPlayer Radio app doesn't exist on Android yet.

[crowncd]

Thanks Roush - so it's down to the bods at the BBC to sort things out.

[Magic8Ball]

I just got a Nexus 7 and it's running Jellybean 4.2

Following the instructions on this link got iPlayer working for me:

http://www.nkonecny.com/blog/2012/07...sh-to-nexus-7/

Note you have to use Firefox beta to go to the iPlayer website to play video. The dedicated iPlayer app still doesn't work. All the video on the BBC site works fine, but you need to use Firefox Beta, not normal Firefox. Also enable 'Desktop Website Version' in the Firefox settings. (contrary to what the message box that pop up says). Also you will have to tap on each video (where it says tap to start) to start them playing - I think you can change that in the Firefox plugin settings though.

[CoolboyA]

My BBC iPlayer app works fine on 4.2. I had it installed before I updated, but it still works.

[Voynich]

Originally Posted by Roush

Except that one of the main points of the Nexus devices is that they get updates straight away.

The problem stems from the way Google release Android. They do not provide developers with early access to new platform versions, meaning developers are always on the back foot when a new Android version comes out.

Historically this wasn't a huge issue due to the delays in new Android versions getting onto OEM devices, so developers could use that systemic distribution delay to get their apps ready, but with the Nexus devices now being pushed as consumer. products, and updates available immediately, it is creating a bigger problem with app compatibility.

True, but then the BBC haven't been fast at updates either. It took then around four months to finally release an app for Jelly Bean. Now it can't be installed for 4.2 users. I read that there's also problems on the download part of the desktop version due to an Adobe Air update. For a huge company they must have a small development team.

[taurus_67]

I bought my new 32GB Nexus 7 beginning of November, about a week before 4.2 was released, and downloaded the iplayer and bbc media app straight away..i.e onto 4.1. I have since updated to 4.2 and the iplayer app is still working for me so far.

So, I'm just wondering if the new 7's they are selling now have 4.2 out of the box or if they are still coming with a 4.1 version? If it's the latter and you can hold off updating until you've downloaded iplayer and bbc media apps on 4.1; they should still work when you update to 4.2.

I'll be honest, I'm not tech savvy enough to know if this will help anybody or make any difference, but just thought I'd mention it along the way.

[pfgpowell]

Originally Posted by b1ackb1rd

Have you tried to update the errant programmes?

I did on his behalf and got the message BBC Media/iPlayer are not compatible with your device. But they were on 4.1 because I tried out iPlayer on my colleagues Nexus. Once it had updated itself to 4.2, it was the same story. I'm sure Google and whoever else is involved will sort this out over the coming months, but, as I said, the sorting out should have been done before, not after, releasing the update.

[pfgpowell]

Originally Posted by Magic8Ball

I just got a Nexus 7 and it's running Jellybean 4.2

Following the instructions on this link got iPlayer working for me:

http://www.nkonecny.com/blog/2012/07...sh-to-nexus-7/

Note you have to use Firefox beta to go to the iPlayer website to play video. The dedicated iPlayer app still doesn't work. All the video on the BBC site works fine, but you need to use Firefox Beta, not normal Firefox. Also enable 'Desktop Website Version' in the Firefox settings. (contrary to what the message box that pop up says). Also you will have to tap on each video (where it says tap to start) to start them playing - I think you can change that in the Firefox plugin settings though.

...which is all fine and dandy, but you shouldn't have to tie yourself into knots like that.

[pfgpowell]

Originally Posted by CoolboyA

My BBC iPlayer app works fine on 4.2. I had it installed before I updated, but it still works.

Well, that's odd. Perhaps because it was installed before the update.

[flynn]

It's got nothing really to do with Google, it's up to the BBC and other app providers to define what versions the app is compatible with.

We have the same problem here - an app that was written for us by another company currently shows as incompatible on 4.2, they're doing a new .apk for us with the correct info.

[tojoxj]

Originally Posted by CoolboyA

My BBC iPlayer app works fine on 4.2. I had it installed before I updated, but it still works.

Lucky you, could you tell us the winning lottery numbers for Saturday?

[paulbrock]

Originally Posted by pfgpowell

Well, that's odd. Perhaps because it was installed before the update.

pretty much. the issue is not so much that iplayer "doesn't work " on 4.2, but when you install it from Google Play there's a check - "is your version of Android supported by thie app?". If not, it won't let you install it from Play. The app developers (BBC in this case) decide whether or not to do this check; obviously most apps don't stop you installing on newer versions of Android as otherwise you wouldn't be able to install anything on 4.2!

If you install the app first, then upgrade to 4.2, the check doesn't take place, so it will continue to run.

Solutions:

- wait for BBC to tick the 4.2 box (in fairness, they'll probably want to test their app with 4.2 first, make sure there's nothing nasty happening - or worse, that they won't get in trouble with the rights holders they've got deals with)

- sideload BBC iplayer from a 'trusted' source. My preferred method is to install software on my phone from Google Play (its only on 4.0, so passes the version test), then use another app to copy the iplayer app from my phone onto my nexus 7. Also works if apps don't have the "will this app run on a nexus 7" box ticked.

[Jay-Cee]

Originally Posted by taurus_67

I bought my new 32GB Nexus 7 beginning of November, about a week before 4.2 was released, and downloaded the iplayer and bbc media app straight away..i.e onto 4.1. I have since updated to 4.2 and the iplayer app is still working for me so far.

So, I'm just wondering if the new 7's they are selling now have 4.2 out of the box or if they are still coming with a 4.1 version? If it's the latter and you can hold off updating until you've downloaded iplayer and bbc media apps on 4.1; they should still work when you update to 4.2.

I'll be honest, I'm not tech savvy enough to know if this will help anybody or make any difference, but just thought I'd mention it along the way.

How are you guys getting the app on the nexus 7? it is saying its not compatible with my device

[SkipTracer]

Originally Posted by Jay-Cee

How are you guys getting the app on the nexus 7? it is saying its not compatible with my device

Not sure if you have heard of “sideways loading” of Android devices but that’s how I assume they are doing it.

Rough short guide is to download the iPlayer and Media player to a Android device that is compatible like may be your phone or a friends phone or tab, using a file explorer like “File Expert” where you can extract the apk file for said apps.Move the files to your tab using DropBox or similar or even USB, BT ect, once on your tab tap the apk file and it will install.

You must enable”unknown sources” in the security menu on your tab.

[paulbrock]

Originally Posted by SkipTracer

Move the files to your tab using DropBox or similar or even USB, BT ect, once on your tab tap the apk file and it will install.

I usually just email it to my self....

[Jay-Cee]

Originally Posted by paulbrock

I usually just email it to my self....

OK thanks, will try it

[TommyNooka]

I think 'sideloading' is a very misleading term for installing anything not downloaded from the play store. It's very easy, first enable install from other sources in your settings, secondly download file manager from the app store then search google for 'flash player android' and download the apk from one of the links you'll find and it's as simple as clicking on the downloaded file in the notification bar or search for the file through file manager, click and install, done!!
Combined with Firefox I can watch just about anything and with a higher quality video than the iplayer app.

[FairySnuff]

Wondering if anyone can help me. I stream a lot of TV on my computer (not iplayer etc) and tried the same website on my nexus 7 and it worked. I went to play something last night and now its saying format not supported. Not sure if I updated to 4.2 in this time...is there any way around this?

In fact thinking about it I definitely watched it when updated to 4.2, I can't understand why it worked then but not now! So frustrating!

[TommyNooka]

Originally Posted by FairySnuff

Wondering if anyone can help me. I stream a lot of TV on my computer (not iplayer etc) and tried the same website on my nexus 7 and it worked. I went to play something last night and now its saying format not supported. Not sure if I updated to 4.2 in this time...is there any way around this?

In fact thinking about it I definitely watched it when updated to 4.2, I can't understand why it worked then but not now! So frustrating!

Assuming the website uses flash to stream video, did you open Chrome rather than Firefox to view the website?

[FairySnuff]

Originally Posted by TommyNooka

Assuming the website uses flash to stream video, did you open Chrome rather than Firefox to view the website?

it's worked in both chrome and firefox before but now neither work!

[ney]

My Nexus 7 updated to 4.2 other week and the BBCi player now works on it. I also got the STV player app to work on it.

Darren