AT&T Releases Statement on Lack of 3G Streaming for Upcoming SlingPlayer Mobile

[prairiefire]

Here's my protest letter to ATT

Since my first cell phone, a Mitsubishi that had to be carried over my shoulder -- I've been affiliated with one ATT provider or another.

I suffered through the terrible ATT GSM roll out without leaving the company.

However, I've never been more disappointed with ATT than I am, today, after learning that ATT has blocked my ability to run Slingbox on my iPhone on the 3G network.

ATT's excuse for doing this is damning -- that the 3G network is not sufficiently robust to handle the potential demand.

And, it is disingenuous -- because ATT allows the use of Slingbox on the 3G platform on other ATT supported devices.

ATT's power play is based upon the fact that it has a current monopoly over the distribution of iPhones in the United States. Were there any competition, I'm sure ATT would not choose to limit the Slingbox application because it would surely lose sales to companies that did not.

Fortunately for many of us iPhone lovers, it appears that Apple will be allowing us a choice of carriers, soon. If the rumors that Verizon will handle the iPhone soon are true, I predict many iPhone owners will leave ATT EVEN IF it means buying a new phone.

The restrictions on the Slingbox application are not only unfair, they are stupid. Hiding behind bandwidth issues is not hiding at all. ATT is telling the world that it has an inferior 3G system -- not the place to be when the market for iPhone users gets truly competitive.

I respectfully request that ATT reconsider its policy and allow the sale of the Slingbox application as it was originally designed -- with a 3G option.

 

[Compile 'em all]

And, it is disingenuous -- because ATT allows the use of Slingbox on the 3G platform on other ATT supported devices.

Well other phones might have web browsers too but very small percentage of users use them on these kind of devices. Compare that to the amount of traffic coming out of mobile safari.

I am not trying to defend att retarded decision but users who actually use slingbox on the iPhone is going to be orders of magnitude larger than those who do on the blackberry.

 

[tbob32]

How about having a national Hulu(when available)/Youtube/CBS tv/whatever day where we get as many people as posssible to watch as much as possible on a specific day/time?

Then we see if it really brings the network to it's knees!

 

[Stately]

I feel bad that the rest of the world has got dragged into our mess. Sorry.

My question is, how did WE get dragged into our mess lol?

 

[jviphone]

When you first load up this application on the iphone and you do not have a wifi connection, it prompts a message that:

Slingplayer Mobile for iphone only support streaming over Wi-Fi at this time.

They are def leaving them an out for this to change, and I think it will when 3.0 api's help streaming as well as ATT upgrading networks.

The fact that the same slingplayer mobile for blackberry on att will work fine is absolute BS. Also I think that when Sling set the price for this app it was the full app and it was never changed when they removed 3g and E.

 

[9822679]

now popular on digg

http://digg.com/gadgets/AT_T_issues_official_statement_on_SlingPlayer_s_3G_blackout

dolfan0516dolfan0516 : I have ATT and use the mobile SlingPlayer on my Blackberry Bold, so this decision is from a combination of ATT, Apple, and Sling Media.


SevetsSevets: Wow, thanks AT&T + Apple... Mostly AT&T though. Sling had no choice but to remove 3g service from their app otherwise it would have mysteriously rejected by the behind the curtains mysteriousness of the App Store approval process. Not they they don't make good things, they just really need to loosen up on the restrictions.

dustydusty http://www.slingmedia.com/go/iphone

Device Requirements
..
..
Streaming is restricted to Wi-Fi only at Apple's request

 

[xhambonex]

I know this is a Mac Forum, but I have always believed that it takes two to tango.

1. Apple chose AT&T because AT&T would bend to Apple's demands.
2. AT&T makes a demand and Apple doesn't care (no revenue stream impact to them, they make enough off the App Store).
3. Fanboys blame AT&T, ignoring the fact that APPLE set most of the terms (if not all of them).

Recognize that Apple made a decision to go to AT&T, not because of need, but because AT&T was willing to accept Apple's conditions (in my opinion with no facts to base this on).

Trying to keep it real in a cloud of FUD (that I am perpetuating!! )

Apple wanted a world release. The network for the world is GSM. That's why Apple chose At&t. I don't think a CDMA phone was ever an option therefor leaving the only option being At&t. No other GSM network here in the US, would be able to handle this situation. At&t can't even handle it. Verizon could possibly handle it, but its a possibly. So I am just letting Verizon work on their LTE network and put At&t even farther behind them. However once LTE is more of a standard, we will have more competition between carriers which will hopefully lower prices and give us better rates on plans and better service.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

I respectfully request that ATT reconsider its policy and allow the sale of the Slingbox application as it was originally designed -- with a 3G option.

Maybe you should add, "I know that this application being used over 3G is a violation of the Terms of Service I agreed to when activating my phone, but since you allow it on every other phone you carry - you should also allow it on the iPhone."

I can understand being upset - but, this is the ONLY phone that AT&T can control the apps that are run on it (mostly). How could anyone expect them to allow something that violates their own contract?

Take on THAT aspect.... why are other apps allowed to do video outside of AT&T TV (do they have that?). Attack the other exceptions they have made so far to this.... break their own contract that way (since they allowed it to be broken).

 

[KidStallyn]

So why does ATT allow Orb Live to stream LIVE TV over 3G?? To me, something is totally wrong with this whole thing. In fact, yesterday, I spent all day watching SportsCenter "slinging" my DirecTV feed, changing channels, etc using OrbLive.

I've wanted SlingBox since I bought my iPhone......but to make it Wi-Fi only really makes me dislike ATT. What a horrible PR move.....Let's put out a press release that states how crappy our service really is...

When the iPhone moves to Verizon....I'm GONE from ATT.....

 

[davidwarren]

So why does ATT allow Orb Live to stream LIVE TV over 3G?? To me, something is totally wrong with this whole thing. In fact, yesterday, I spent all day watching SportsCenter "slinging" my DirecTV feed, changing channels, etc using OrbLive.

I've wanted SlingBox since I bought my iPhone......but to make it Wi-Fi only really makes me dislike ATT. What a horrible PR move.....Let's put out a press release that states how crappy our service really is...

When the iPhone moves to Verizon....I'm GONE from ATT.....

+1

I switched from Verizon, thinking that AT&T couldn't be that bad. It is. It sucks so much, I miss about half of my calls, and the ones that I do get, about half of them are dropped. Even SMS can take forever (hours) to get to me, and I am always in a 3G area, so it's not like I'm out in the boonies or something.....

AT&T- hopefully your days are numbered as the exclusive iPhone carrier.

 

[michael.lauden]

I wasn't even very likely to pay $30 bucks for the Slingbox app, but after reading this god I wish I could tell AT&T just how much I want them to go bankrupt and disappear off the face of the Earth!

well someone feels strongly. perhaps if Apple changes service providers... slingbox could come to fruition on another service

 

[kingtj]

If you have options, go for it!

As much as I hate AT&T as well, I feel like I'm still no better off switching to another carrier with my iPhone. Who would I go to? T-Mobile? Then I'd have to hack the phone and mess with all those extra steps, PLUS lose the Visual Voicemail capabilities.

That's the crux of the problem for iPhone owners in the USA, right now. As it stands, it's really a combination AT&T/Apple product offering.

From what I've observed in AT&T communications presentations, they *do* have a roadmap for upgrading their network to something faster and more capable than 3G. We're probably looking at the 2010-2011 time-frame though, before it's widely available for public use. Unfortunately, I think AT&T would rather handicap current 3G users with the promise it will "all be taken care of if you just wait for our new data network" than spend more money on the current stuff, so it can handle everything we'd like to do with it.

I'll be terminating my AT&T plan due to their standing in the way of my using their data network (which I am supposed to have unlimited access to) by first blocking the tethering app last year and now the slingbox app.

This just makes me mad!

I just applied to have my cell number ported to another carrier and will be leaving AT&T until things change.

 

[kingtj]

re: leaving wi-fi on?

Umm, you ARE aware that turning off wi-fi and using 3G all the time on your phone is going to drain your battery more quickly, AND give you slower performance than using any faster wi-fi connections you can use, right?

I don't see why it makes sense to degrade your OWN experience with the phone, simply to "punish" AT&T?

Besides, AT&T does offer iPhone users thousands of wi-fi hotspots for FREE of charge use in the U.S. I just used one at McDonalds on Sunday.

I will do the same.

 

[xhambonex]

As much as I hate AT&T as well, I feel like I'm still no better off switching to another carrier with my iPhone. Who would I go to? T-Mobile? Then I'd have to hack the phone and mess with all those extra steps, PLUS lose the Visual Voicemail capabilities.

That's the crux of the problem for iPhone owners in the USA, right now. As it stands, it's really a combination AT&T/Apple product offering.

From what I've observed in AT&T communications presentations, they *do* have a roadmap for upgrading their network to something faster and more capable than 3G. We're probably looking at the 2010-2011 time-frame though, before it's widely available for public use. Unfortunately, I think AT&T would rather handicap current 3G users with the promise it will "all be taken care of if you just wait for our new data network" than spend more money on the current stuff, so it can handle everything we'd like to do with it.

Or simply keep At&t and hack your phone and be able to use slingbox over 3G with that VoIPover3G. That seems to be what people are going to do.

At&t has just failed at delivery a stable network for the iPhone 3G. And while they are upgrading their 3G network by 2010/2011 Verizon will already have the new 4G network up and running. (GSM based) A step to late so it seems, maybe Apple expected this to happen and new that by 2010 it'd be time to leave At&t, they have served their purpose.

 

[imacdaddy]

do you guys think friday would be too soon for an organized youtube protest? im trying to set this thing in motion asap.

Why not also protest at the WWDC. It's the perfect event to. Pissed off developers can join in the protest. I would if I wasn't living overseas.

 

[Manny13z]

Protest

Friday is as good a day as any.

 

[fabianjj]

Now I'm pissed at AT&T you'd expect them to do something like this (especially since it's America we're talking about), but I'm more pissed at Apple for letting them do this, I mean Apple isn't the kind of company you'd expect to let others screw around with their products. If I'm not mistaken their deal runs out this fall. If Apple is gonna make a new deal with At&T then they should simply tell them:

"Hey guys, you know this mobile phone of ours, we're wondering if you'd be interested in selling it. Yeah and you'd be selling millions of them, probably more than any phone you've ever sold, and one last thing... You aren't not gonna screw with it"

 

[maccam05]

I left my iPhone behind over a year ago, and for one reason only...AT&T. After being a Verizon customer for many years (and they ain't perfect, either), I was shocked at the poor quality of the AT&T wireless network.

I'm pretty happy with my Verizon cellphone, and iPod Touch, and will stay that way until a Verizon iPhone comes along.

 

[seedster2]

Where are all the forum members who regurgitated Jobs' promised change to the carrier controlled market?

The sooner you all realize that the bottom line is all that matters, the better off we will all be as consumers. I will relegate my iphone as a touch soon and go back to BB.

An earlier poster summed it well when he said "Apple gets all the app income and control... while ATT still calls the shots on network usage."

 

[jviphone]

Power is in numbers, when we all complained to apple about the price drop of the new iphones, apple gave us a $100 bucks, back if we complain loudly enough apple and ATT will hear us! it took a few days before ORB went from wifi only to working on 3g if I remember.

 

[Manny13z]

Power is in numbers, when we all complained to apple about the price drop of the new iphones, apple gave us a $100 bucks, back if we complain loudly enough apple and ATT will hear us! it took a few days before ORB went from wifi only to working on 3g if I remember.

I agree.

 

[Andybrownstl]

Originally Posted by Andybrownstl
Here is something I have not heard mentioned. With the bb, winmo, palm versions of slingplayer it can only be installed and used on one device. But iTunes app store allows me to install the app on all devices I own. Since we are a 4 iPhone, 2 iPod touch family that would mean I can put it on all six devices. In addition since I am running is 3.0 beta 5 I can switch from one iTunes acct to another directly from the iPhone. Soon everyone will be running 3.0 so conceivably I could allow access to my iTunes login info to my brother, cousin, friend, neighbor etc and give them all a free copy of this 30 dollar software. We could potentially cost apple hundreds of sales! Just because someone downloads the software from my iTunes acct they can still login using there specific sling account so they aren't watching my box. I think I am gonna give away 7 copies today just so I can screw sling for the 200 bux I paid to upgrade my old slingbox that they said wouldn't work but now appears to work cause I was the idiot that used there 50 dollar upgrade scan in anticipation of this crippled software. Won't get my money back but I will feel better that I cost them 7 potential sales!!

 

[str1f3]

Power is in numbers, when we all complained to apple about the price drop of the new iphones, apple gave us a $100 bucks, back if we complain loudly enough apple and ATT will hear us! it took a few days before ORB went from wifi only to working on 3g if I remember.

Hopefully you're right. But AT&T went out of their way to change the TOS after the app was submitted. Dealing with  is something different. Carriers are used to being jerk-offs.

 

[mlyon]

So let me get this straight, I can have a Blackberry Bold on AT&T and run the slingplayer all I want, But if I have an iPhone I can only run on WI-FI?

WTF?

 

[KT Walrus]

Lame reply from AT&T Customer Service

Just got this reply to my complaint to AT&T over the SlingPlayer not allowed on 3G:

Thank you for taking the time to e-mail AT&T regarding being unable to
use SlingPlayer on your iPhone device. I understand your frustration. My
name is Beki Chappell, and I am happy to help you with your inquiry.

The SlingPlayer is not available on the iPhone device. The iPhone is a
small PC with a phone included, and due to potential viruses, this
device has a strong software firewall. Applications offered to iPhone
subscribers are developed for and approved by Apple. AT&T provides voice
and data access in order for the applications to work, but we do not
have the ability to approve or deny the applications. We do appreciate
your feedback in regards to this, and I will forward this information to
the appropriate department.

I think this is pretty lame.