ABC launches Android, iPhone-friendly apps

The broadcaster said today that the new mobile site "brings reliable and up-to-date ABC content directly to mobile phones, and has been developed specifically for mobile phone screen sizes so content is fast to load and easy to navigate."

The site has launched with a text and image service to keep data charges low, according to ABC.

"However, users can look forward to ABC video and audio when more content is added to the site later this year," the broadcaster's managing director Mark Scott said.

In addition to the mobile site, the Government-funded broadcaster also announced the launch of an ABC iPhone application and a news application for the new G1 Android handsets.

Both applications are available online as free downloads, ABC said.

Coming soon will be a basic Java application for use on all other high end handsets.

"The ABC is already a leading provider of digital media content in Australia," Scott said.

"But we are now delivering even more with this significant move onto the mobile platform. ABC Mobile provides yet another way for Australian's to access reliable, quality content wherever and whenever they choose."