3G-Compatible 'ABC Player' for iPad En Route

[MacRumors]

One of the early notes on the iPad Wi-Fi + 3G was the observation that several video streaming applications for the iPad such as Netflix and YouTube offer lower-resolution video over 3G than they do over Wi-Fi. Others, such as ABC's popular ABC Player application, refused to stream over 3G at all, restricting viewers to Wi-Fi networks only.

Despite some confusion over the reasons for ABC's lack of 3G capability, with AT&T directing questions to Apple and speculation about digital rights or technical considerations being bandied about, AppAdvice noted over the weekend that Apple requires application looking to use HTTP Live Streaming over 3G networks to offer lower quality stream options that can be used when network conditions limit the amount of available bandwidth. ABC apparently chose not to include such functionality it its iPad application, resulting in the Wi-Fi-only limitation.

Fortunately, Silicon Alley Insider now reports that ABC has already submitted a revised version of its iPad application, offering streaming via 3G, to Apple for inclusion in the App Store.

Good news, iPad 3G owners: ABC's iPad app will support 3G video streaming in a new update to the app, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The app has already been submitted to Apple, and pending approval -- which ABC should get -- it will be available for download.

ABC had previously indicated to Silicon Alley Insider that the application would be Wi-Fi-only due to "a variety of business and technical considerations." It appears, however, that ABC has changed its mind and has resolved any issues it had with allowing 3G streaming to the iPad.

Article Link: 3G-Compatible 'ABC Player' for iPad En Route

 

[Maserati7200]

So I assume the 3G version gives you lower resolution and lower bit rate video? Also, when you are on wifi, will it give you higher bit rate video? Or will you need 2 apps, 1 when on wifi and 1 on 3G?

 

[Revelation78]

So I assume the 3G version gives you lower resolution and lower bit rate video? Also, when you are on wifi, will it give you higher bit rate video? Or will you need 2 apps, 1 when on wifi and 1 on 3G?

It automatically adjusts for the available bandwidth, the more bandwidth, i.e. Wifi, the better the video/audio.

 

[Tones2]

This would be good news if I actually watched even one show on ABC, which I don't.

I wish NBC, CBS and FOX come out with similar apps soon.

Tony

 

[guzhogi]

Really wish AT&T would greatly improve their network so that apps could use the 3G network. Also, I really hope releases iPhones & iPads compatible w/ other networks, with Verizon being able to use both voice & data at the same time.

Anyone find it weird that the US is considered a superpower, but its infrastructure looks like that of a third world country or something. [/hyperbole]

 

[HiVolt]

Ugh, downsampled youtube on 3G looks like ass on the iPhone, I can only imagine how these crippled streams look like on the iPad while on 3G.

Saddest decision ever.

 

[jav6454]

Kinda given seeing how Jobs owns part of ABC as well.

 

[thecartoonguy]

This would be good news if I actually watched even one show on ABC, which I don't.

I wish NBC, CBS and FOX come out with similar apps soon.

Tony

I'm sure they will.

 

[Richdmoore]

I also hope that they have other networks (including cable) that wish to stream their shows on the internet. As for ABC, the next big improvement, other than including more shows (for example the nightly news) would be for an iphone/itouch app, making their player universal.

 

[joeYYY]

Also, I really hope releases iPhones & iPads compatible w/ other networks, with Verizon being able to use both voice & data at the same time. [/hyperbole]

But Verizon can't mix voice & data on their EVDO 3G network while AT&T can.

 

[Dainin]

This can't come soon enough! I was disappointed when i tried to stream with the app right after getting my iPad 3G.

 

[Small White Car]

But Verizon can't mix voice & data on their EVDO 3G network while AT&T can.

I'm fairly certain that's not gonna matter very much to most iPad owners.

 

[cmaier]

But...but... what will people gripe and bitch about now?

Oh, yeah. That "Flash" thing. Oh, well.

 

[ZombiePete]

Ugh, downsampled youtube on 3G looks like ass on the iPhone, I can only imagine how these crippled streams look like on the iPad while on 3G.

Saddest decision ever.

I guess San Antonio (former SBC turned AT&T headquarters) has the best 3G in the country, because netflix looks great over 3G to me.

Either that or I'm not as picky as most. My friend agrees that it works great.

 

[andiwm2003]

good news although I don't see myself watching ABC shows when I'm not at home. but there maybe an occasion where I have to wait around for a few hours and want to catch up on a few shows.

 

[TMay]

Ugh, downsampled youtube on 3G looks like ass on the iPhone, I can only imagine how these crippled streams look like on the iPad while on 3G.

Saddest decision ever.

So the "Saddest decision" to support 3G within Apple's guidelines is sad for what reason?

Seems to me that it gives an opt out to the viewer if the quality is constrained by the 3G connection. There are a lot of cases where even a live, poor stream meets my needs; news comes to mind.

 

[paradox00]

Ugh, downsampled youtube on 3G looks like ass on the iPhone, I can only imagine how these crippled streams look like on the iPad while on 3G.

Saddest decision ever.

Because not being able to watch it, or having constant freezes is better?

 

[INeedAMacBook]

will this abc app be available in the UK? or is it a U.S. app only

 

[PsyD4Me]

It's too bad that after lost is over ABC won't have anything worthwhile to watch on that player

 

[bpfesq]

I guess San Antonio (former SBC turned AT&T headquarters) has the best 3G in the country, because netflix looks great over 3G to me.

Either that or I'm not as picky as most. My friend agrees that it works great.

Bingo. Netflix over 3g looks pretty good. The difference seems less than the difference btw HD and regular TV.

 

[CubusX]

AT&T Strikes Again

Who would have guessed, wi-fi only.

Sounds like your 3G iPads are just as useful as your preciuos iPhones on AT&T's network.

Was the cost of the iPad worth it?

 

[stagi]

Sweet! I hope the resolution will be decent

 

[me2000]

Great news!

 

[wizard]

Here simply isn't enough bandwidth available for 3G streaming.

I keep hearing things like this and throw my hands up innfrustration simply because there is not enough 3G bandwidth for each of us to have what amounts to his own personalized TV station. There never will be either and this has nothing to do with Sprint, AT&T or anybody else. The reality is you can only fit so much data into a given bandwidth.

Really wish AT&T would greatly improve their network so that apps could use the 3G network. Also, I really hope releases iPhones & iPads compatible w/ other networks, with Verizon being able to use both voice & data at the same time.

The more people that move to 3G services the less likely you will be able to stream high data rate services. It is just a fact of life related to the technical realities of RF communications.

Anyone find it weird that the US is considered a superpower, but its infrastructure looks like that of a third world country or something. [/hyperbole]

What do you expect from a country that wastes billions every year on worthless social programs? A country that spends little on education and when it does spend money on education it is in support of special interest groups. Worst is the money the government spends on services for people that think they are entittled to handouts from uncle Sam.

I only bring education in this context because a smart person would ask how could AT&T service hundreds of people streaming high data rate video from a single cell. Or the same smart person might ask why are the cell companies lobbying the FCC constantly for more bandwidth. Right now the idea of trying to support streaming over 3G is just dumb, especially with data demand increasing everyday.


By the way I'm not against the government spending for social good or moving forward with technology. What we need is thinking that incorporates the past with todays technology. One thing to consider is remaking the postal system for the electronic age. That is turn the postal system into a networking system where the service supports a wired data connection to every household. In effect the mail system becomes electronic. It would in effect replace the constitutionally mandated mail system of yesterday with a modern lower energy equivalent.

Yeah it is a big project but it makes a lot more sense than throwing away money on high speed trains or ferrys nobody uses. An electronic Mail system would impact every American, vastly reduce polution, encourage commerce and meet other goals of the original constitutionally mandated Mail system. In other words it serves the entire population to the benefit of all.

As a side effect if everybody has a data connection that costs nothing then things like open WiFi connections should be much easier to implement. Or at least people should welcome the possibility.

Dave

 

[photoman52beta]

3G -Extremely Poor Video stream

I tried a few videos from YouTube and they were terrible. This was in a new, low use area for 3G, and I couldn't believe what it looked like. Actors weren't even identifiable, except by voice only. I've never seen pixelization like this before...

Obviously low data update material is the only thing this is going to be good for. What a shame, and a lot of money wasted for 3G iPad model.