AT&T Approves 'SlingPlayer Mobile' Television Streaming Over 3G

[MacRumors]

AT&T today announced that it has decided to allow Sling Media's SlingPlayer Mobile iPhone application to stream video content over its 3G network. SlingPlayer Mobile allows users of Sling Media's "Slingbox" hardware to control and stream live and recorded content to their iPhones and iPod touches.

AT&T attracted significant attention when it refused to allow the SlingPlayer Mobile to stream video over the carrier's wireless networks, citing the potential for the video traffic to overwhelm its network capacity and create service issues for other users. Consequently, the application has been Wi-Fi-only in the U.S. since its launch in May 2009.

Since mid December 2009, AT&T has been testing the app and has recently notified Sling Media -- as well as Apple – that the optimized app can run on its 3G network. The SlingPlayer Mobile app already is available for use today on AT&T's Wi-Fi network, the nation's largest with more than 20,000 hotspots.

In its press release, AT&T also took the opportunity to publicize its willingness to work with developers on bandwidth-intensive mobile applications in order to create the best possible experience for users.

"Just as we've worked with Sling Media in this instance, we look forward to collaborating with other developers so that mobile customers can access a wider, more bandwidth-sensitive, and powerful range of applications in the future," said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "Collaboration with developers like Sling Media ensures that all apps are optimized for our 3G network to conserve wireless spectrum and reduce the risk that an app will cause such extreme levels of congestion that they disrupt the experience of other wireless customers. Our focus continues to be on delivering the nation's most advanced mobile broadband experience and giving our customers the widest possible array of mobile applications."

Support for developers is offered through AT&T's dedicated developer site.

Article Link: AT&T Approves 'SlingPlayer Mobile' Television Streaming Over 3G

 

[Airforcekid]

Hope quality is decent better than youtube?

 

[SteveSparks]

Any quality video is a good first step

 

[Fafafoooey]

Finally!

Hope they don't kill the picture quality too badly, like the previous poster mentioned. I also hope they don't try to block the Slingbox Classics, somehow, since they don't officially support it.

 

[trssho]

Looks like att is bending backwards to keep Apple and their customers happy.

 

[VenusianSky]

Wow this is big. I may consider purchasing a Slingbox with this functionality.

 

[hippo206]

good move AT&T. Wondering if AT&T is looking to buy out sling.

 

[jav6454]

With newer back hauls, no wonder they are allowing.

 

[DavieBoy]

I am buying a slingbox as soon as the update hits the app store. I hope today.

Now I hope the 3.2 software allows sling to output the app to a tv. Then BAM Yankee baseball in my cars TV.

 

[Illusion986]

Perhaps Att knows that they will loose exclusivity of iPhone and they are trying to do all these things to make people stay with them. Just a thought.... Personally i find using data and talking at the same time is very useful to me so even it Verizon would get iPhone i would really have to think if i want to switch...But once the LTE is out im out

 

[Eric4082]

Does this mean that the ipad will be able to stream tv shows.

 

[sfbayrealtor]

All I can say is...about time!

All I can say is...about time!

Competition is a good thing!

Now that apple is getting some heat and competition from google and potentially amazon (kindle/ipad thing), and whomever else steps up to the plate, we should really start seeing some cool innovation and affordable tech

I wanna see google nipping at apple's heals...or, it could be vice-versa

 

[ldkaplan]

I'm curious if the app is going to change content quality depending if you are on 3g or wifi.

I know folks have jailbroke phones with the 3g hack...how is quality streaming over 3g?

 

[Airforcekid]

Any quality video is a good first step

1FPS would be bad!

 

[ipoppy]

Too late now. I get rid off Slingbox when Slingmedia decided to not support older hardware....that proved how bad they are.
I am happy customer with EYETV now.

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

Looks like someone (ATT) is doing everything in its power to keep the iPhone exclusive to its network.

 

[belvdr]

Great! Now both users can stream their Slingbox data.

 

[luv2hum]

THIS IS AWESOME!!!
Thanks AT&T!!

ANY IDEA WHEN THE UPDATE WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLINE....

I know I am writing in Caps, but I's STOKED about this!

 

[rWally]

THIS IS AWESOME!!!
Thanks AT&T!!

ANY IDEA WHEN THE UPDATE WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLINE....

I know I am writing in Caps, but I's STOKED about this!

Yeah, when is this functionality going to be enabled?

 

[the-oz-man]

This is about time and I can only think that it has to do with pending competition. 5 years on an exclusive contract with AT&T was just too long Apple and we have paid the price for it. This should have debuted with 3G access and not an afterthought of almost 1 year!

 

[Gen]

"we look forward to collaborating with other developers so that mobile customers"

Whaaaa? Never though I would see ATT write that ...

 

[Rooskibar03]

Great. 1 more thing to suck the life out of an already jammed and horrible network.

So now I can stream live TV over 3G, but not purchase an Album from the ITMS? WTF

Thanks a lot ATT, YOU SUCK.

 

[the-oz-man]

"we look forward to collaborating with other developers so that mobile customers"

Whaaaa? Never though I would see ATT write that ...

Words only for now. Please show me in your actions AT&T.

 

[tdmac]

Perhaps Att knows that they will loose exclusivity of iPhone and they are trying to do all these things to make people stay with them. Just a thought.... Personally i find using data and talking at the same time is very useful to me so even it Verizon would get iPhone i would really have to think if i want to switch...But once the LTE is out im out

AT&T was probably pulling what Apple is probably doing with the iPad. Holdback and start making announcements to get good press at the point when it is going to matter most, if they loose exclusivity. Just like we will hear more and more waves of announcements from Apple leading up to the official release of the iPad.

 

[GeekLawyer]

This is good news and I'm glad AT&T is being more responsive.

But... wake me when we have a tethering package/option.