BBC News app for Android tablets released

BBC has announced the launch of a BBC News app forAndroid tablets, which has been optimised to run on Honeycomb and above.

In an announcement on the BBC Blog, Kate Milner, Mobile Product Manager confirms that the app has been designed especially for tablets with screens larger 7.2-inches – such as the Motorola Xoom and Sony Tablet S – so those of you using HTC’s Flyer, for example, will continue to receive the existing BBC News app.

The new tablet application can be used in both landscape and portrait, Milner explains, and comes with the ability to share stories, view On Demand videos and to use either a 3G or WiFi connection. BBC has confirmed a Live News Channel is also on its way, alongside homescreen widgets to make the experience more interactive.

“Growing numbers of people are accessing BBC News on mobiles and tablets,” said Milner. “In an average week, the BBC News sites and apps are visited by around 9.7 million users worldwide on mobile and tablet devices. That represents about 26 per cent of the total.

“The BBC News product development team will be working on further mobile and tablet improvements over the coming year.”