BBC to roll out iPhones to journalists

The BBC is to roll out iPhones to journalists so they can be more productive in the field, in a move that is unlikely to please taxpayers.

The broadcaster may not be as cash strapped as it appears, after Fran Unsworth, head of news gathering at the BBC, confirmed that Apple devices will be rolled out to staff.

"We recognise that it is essential for journalists in the field to be connected to the flow of information about the story they are covering," Unsworth noted on the Ariel magazine letter page.

"Smartphones, including iPhones, are being rolled out to enable staff to send live and recorded audio, video and stills. A range of models is being used and equipment is being issued as older items come up for replacement."

The BBC seems to have taken a liking to Apple's shiny toys at the expense of the taxpayer. A Freedom of Information request by The Sun in March revealed that the Beeb spent £10,000 a month on iPhones for its staff last year.

A whopping £40,000 was also splashed out on 104 iPads, even though the tablet had not even been approved for general use by staff.

We can understand the deployment of iPhones, but why the BBC would want to deploy the iPad remains a mystery. Still, one person who definitely won't be complaining is Apple supremo Steve Jobs.

15 Apr 2011