Free Newsletter
Sling Media blames Apple for denying app 3G support
Free newsletter via e-mail
Tools
Placeshifting technology developer Sling Media finally issued the long-awaited iPhone edition of its SlingPlayer Mobile video application last week, but the release version of the app does not include 3G support--although AT&T took the fall for the controversy that followed, contending 3G streaming would consume too much network capacity, Sling notes the service is WiFi-only at Apple's request. SlingPlayer for iPhone, which enables users to stream live and recorded television content from their home entertainment system to their mobile device, launched last Tuesday with a whopping App Store price of $29.99--in an email reprinted by Mobility Today, Sling Media boasts the application "sports a super slick interface, great video quality, plus lots of new features" before adding the following caveat: "SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone is WiFi only at Apple's request."
According to AT&T, apps like SlingPlayer pose too much of a bandwidth threat to operate over 3G: "Slingbox, which would use large amounts of wireless network capacity, could create congestion and potentially prevent other customers from using the network," the operator said. "Applications like this, which redirect a TV signal to a personal computer, are specifically prohibited under our terms of service." AT&T goes on to point out that iPhone 3G subscribers can access free WiFi service at more than 20,000 carrier-owned and operated U.S. hotspots, including Starbucks, McDonalds, Barnes & Noble, hotels and airports.
But here's where it gets really interesting: AT&T apparently does not consider the iPhone a phone... even though it's called the iPhone. "We consider smartphones like the iPhone to be personal computers in that they have the same hardware and software attributes as PCs," AT&T argues. "We don't restrict users from going to a website that lets them view videos. But what our terms and conditions prohibit is the transferring, or slinging, of a TV signal to their personal computer or smartphone."
For more on the SlingPlayer Mobile controversy:
- read this Mobility Today article
Related articles:
SlingPlayer Mobile launches on BlackBerry
Games, entertainment top iPhone app downloads
Comments
Posted by Anonymous | May 18, 2009 - 8:53pm
ATT terms and conditions prohibit is the transferring, or slinging, of a TV signal to their personal computer or smartphone."
Does that mean that its OK to bring video from a recording device via the slingbox to a computer or smart phone or is it just TV they are concerned with?
Posted by Anonymous | May 20, 2009 - 4:59pm
I sling to my Moto Q on the AT&T network with the Windows mobile app from slingmedia. This is a bunch of crap. An for sling to charge the same price for half the service is just another load of crap. Why can't I get a device and the service that fits my needs? All I want is a mobile device that I can use slingbox, listen to AOL radio, wifi capabilities, get my email, give me GPS, and the ability to answer a call via bluetooth. Is that too much to ask...oh, and would it kill Iphone to allow adobe flash on their OS?
Posted by Anonymous | September 27, 2009 - 6:35pm
For me I am trying to understand how it is all these other Apps are being approved by both AT&T and Apple such as the new DirecTV app? Correct me if I am wrong but if its a concern about the number of people using the APP at the same time you better forget using your phone on Sundays! Lets see how many people have direcTV and compare that to how many people have slingboxs. Hmmm. Doest seem to make much sense to me.
Posted by Anonymous | May 19, 2009 - 10:54am
Good for AT&T, that sling box on 3g will slow everything down. No more speedy loads on www.YouTube.com or www.PocketSizedPorn.com. Don't need that messing up all the good service we get on our 3G network.
Posted by Fred Stein | May 19, 2009 - 6:01pm
I'm curious why Apple take the fall, for WiFi only. ATT has two big problems with allowing Sling on 3G. 1) Their 3G network is already overloaded, and badly overloaded in some places. 2) AT&T re-sells DISH, which may see Sling over 3G as competitive.
Posted by Anonymous | May 22, 2009 - 4:07pm
Dish owns sling. Don't think theyd have a problem :)
Posted by Anonymous | May 20, 2009 - 4:52pm
This a bunch of BS. What about people streaming radio, or You tube. I was hoping for the 3G version so I can watch movies and TV while at the gym on the treadmill. It's just a copout by sling. They should have stuck to their guns and demanded the same app that they provide windows mobile. The AT&T excuse is full of crap because I have been slinging to my Moto Q for 2 years now. I wanted to upgrade to a IPhone once they came out with the app...I guess not. Poor poor excuses by everyone, and we see 3 major companies pointing the finger at eachother. Piss Poor service ny everyone...drop the ball
Posted by Slinger | May 26, 2009 - 5:21pm
Well AT&T is simply being evasive about the performance of their 3G network, the bottom line is that their network is oversubscribed already. Fyi, AT&T has conveniently left out the fact that they do not prohibit the use of 'other' sling-enabled devices like Treos, Blackberrys and SmartPhones from streaming on 3G, only the iPhone!
Posted by slinger | May 26, 2009 - 5:34pm
actually, dish and ATT no longer have a partnership, instead its directv and AT&T, so thats most definitely a part of this... AT&T is a strategic partner with Dish's competitor, and Sling is owned by Dish. This is completely out of Sling's control, and they need to get the app on the market, so they did the only thing they could do.
Posted by Anonymous | June 11, 2009 - 3:04pm
Fine.
Use the web client.
beta.sling.com
You can tie your sling box to the sling portal.
Comments (11) | Post a comment