BBC puts iPhone apps on ice

Proposed BBC News and BBC Sport iPhone apps have been put on ice after other news organisations complained about the effect they could have on the market.

The apps were announced at the Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona in February and were pencilled in for April and May launches.

But after the BBC Trust received objections from newspaper publishers about the proposed mobile apps, a review of the plans will take place.

The Newspaper Publishers Association said that a free BBC app would hinder plans of commercial publishers to make money in this area.

Newspapers such as the Guardian already offer paid-for mobile apps. The Telegraph and Independent also offer iPhone apps, but both are free.

The BBC Trust has called for the BBC to halt the development of both apps while it undertakes an investigation, though it hasn't set out a timescale for the enquiry.

The planned BBC Sport iPhone app will let football fans see matches from the 2010 World Cup tournament live on their handsets if it is approved.

However, as it was due for a May launch anyway and with the World Cup beginning in early June, this may not now happen.

The apps were also being developed for other mobile platforms including Android and BlackBerry.