SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone Release Imminent? Wi-Fi only?

[TraceyS/FL]

If it is a bandwith issue, then why do Blackberries (with as many and likely a lot more units out there) have 3G sling? I know that AT&T would rather have people buy Blackberries (I am sure Apple takes a bigger cut than RIM), but why would Apple go along? All Apple has to say is "you have to give us equal treatment"(why still no tethering too?). They are intentionally making their competitors more attractive by denying some of the coolest features other phones have (and not because the iPhone CAN'T do these things).

Wouldn't the other phones have it because there isn't the App Store and the control over the apps like this? IN this case, AT&T can tell Apple "no way in h*&&" will you let that get approved as is.

I was skeptical of it being approved at all because of the bandwidth issue...

 

[stratmancj]

Wow, good to know, thanks.

In all seriousness, am I being unreasonable in my thinking that this app is considerably overpriced for lacking this basic functionality? I know it's not Sling's fault and I know they normally sell their mobile apps for $29.99, but you've got to think they'd make much more money selling their app for $9.99, continuing to lobby AT&T/Apple for 3G functionality, and then provide an upgrade path when iPhone OS 3.0 comes out this summer (which allows upgrading).

well, with apple taking 30%, they are only making just under $21 per copy. with other platforms, they make the full 29.99. i would assume they would charge 39.99 for the full iphone app with 3g to make up for apple's cut.

 

[stratmancj]

Anybody happen to know the name of this app?

sling player mobile

 

[stratmancj]

HAHAAHAH OMG this is laughable!

$30, forced slingbox upgrade, wi-fi only!

WOW, I was a big supporter of slingbox for a long time. Screw you slingbox! I'll stick with hulu and other online sites for now.

if you read the article, you would know the app will work with older sling boxes but not be "officially supported"

 

[KanosWRX]

First AT&T You Suck!

Second, how does Sling justify selling an App crippled for the same price they were going to offer it before when it might have actually been worth something. It should be a 9.99 App at the most now. I would not pay the same price for a Iphone App that doesn't work 90% of the time I would need it when a Blackberry or MS Smartphone App would work just fine. Those Apps cost 30 dollars but work anywhere, the iPhone app will only work at home or in a coffee shop, chances are there is already a TV there!!

Seriously its just a pointless App now. Unless you jailbreak.. which is what I am guessing a lot of people will do, and more power to them!!

 

[skinnylegs]

sling player mobile

Thanks, buddy!

 

[salvatorereda]

• Who watches tv anymore?
• Tv viewership is at its lowest numbers ever
• On cable you have 100 channels and most of it is crap.

most of us are canceling our cable and just watching shows via web

 

[HiRez]

Wow, $30 for something that a friend of mine was using two years ago on his Windoze Mobile phone (for free, and over the carrier network). I was excited about Sling for iPhone but not really so much anymore if this is true.

 

[CyberBob859]

Doesn't Verizon let people use Sling Player over their 3G Network (Blackberry and Palm)? What's the point of this application?

It's AT&T worried about bandwith problems. I've been successfully using the Windows Mobile SlingPlayer client on my Motorola Q on the Sprint 3G network with a SlingBox Classic for a couple of years.

Now, if you go with a better phone on (supposedly) a better network, you have to use WiFi only and the SlingBox Classic is not officially supported.

So much for progress.

 

[fishkorp]

• Who watches tv anymore?
• Tv viewership is at its lowest numbers ever
• On cable you have 100 channels and most of it is crap.

most of us are canceling our cable and just watching shows via web

"most of us" is a gross exaggeration. And "lowest numbers ever" isn't true. You mean to tell me that fewer people are watching TV today then in 1970? i find that very hard to believe And many people don't have internet connections fast enough to stream TV via the web.

 

[fishkorp]

Wow, $30 for something that a friend of mine was using two years ago on his Windoze Mobile phone (for free, and over the carrier network). I was excited about Sling for iPhone but not really so much anymore if this is true.

It was not free, unless your friend pirated it. The Windows Mobile version has always been $30.

 

[saturniphone]

Orb made changes to go from WiFi only to 3G, here's to hoping Sling can do it too.

Yeah, I don't know why more people aren't talking about this. Orb is available on the App Store right now and works over 3G/EDGE. Doesn't make a lot of sense that they would restrict Sling and not Orb.

 

[chriszzz]

• Who watches tv anymore?
• Tv viewership is at its lowest numbers ever
• On cable you have 100 channels and most of it is crap.

most of us are canceling our cable and just watching shows via web

No one cares what "most" of you are doing.

Do tell me, where can I watch live sports online?

ESPN360 isn't available for everyone.

 

[djuarez03]

You guys should really look into the OrbLive app. $30 is crazy money for this app when the OrbLive app only costs you $10, and does more than this app will do.

I've been using OrbLive for a couple of months now to stream my DirecTV signal to my iPhone and it is just plain awesome! The only catch is that you have to have your signal hooked up through your PC. Oh yeah, and it streams over EDGE and 3G, but I can't speak that great about the quality of the video over the EDGE signal, it kind of sucks! But 3G streaming works great, and Wi-Fi is excellent.

On top of all that, you can access all of your other media files through this app, like your music, pictures, and even view documents on your PC. I would think that it is probably cheaper to buy a compatible TV tuner card than it is to buy a Slingbox and this app.

 

[Driftmon]

I'm so angry, I had to register and post. I have slingplayer mobile on my Windows Mobile Kaiser platform, which I paid for. No it's not free. But you could at least watch it over 3G on AT&T. This is how progress is NOT made.

 

[fishkorp]

You guys should really look into the OrbLive app. $30 is crazy money for this app when the OrbLive app only costs you $10, and does more than this app will do.

I've been using OrbLive for a couple of months now to stream my DirecTV signal to my iPhone and it is just plain awesome! The only catch is that you have to have your signal hooked up through your PC. Oh yeah, and it streams over EDGE and 3G, but I can't speak that great about the quality of the video over the EDGE signal, it kind of sucks! But 3G streaming works great, and Wi-Fi is excellent.

On top of all that, you can access all of your other media files through this app, like your music, pictures, and even view documents on your PC. I would think that it is probably cheaper to buy a compatible TV tuner card than it is to buy a Slingbox and this app.

But Orb relies on a computer and doesn't work on Macs. Slingbox is easier and more efficient for many people.

 

[longofest]

Page 2

We've gone ahead and moved this to Page 2 due to some conflicting information we've received from trusted sources on the matter. Stay tuned...

EDIT: moved back to page 1. We have confirmation on the original contents of the story.

 

[Drumjim85]

Yeah, I don't know why more people aren't talking about this. Orb is available on the App Store right now and works over 3G/EDGE. Doesn't make a lot of sense that they would restrict Sling and not Orb.

Isn't orb a PC only thing?

 

[JW008]

We've gone ahead and moved this to Page 2 due to some conflicting information we've received from trusted sources on the matter. Stay tuned...

Anything worth reporting? Price, release date, or 3G/EDGE functionality?

 

[prairiefire]

This Is All on ATT Not Sling Media

Sling created an application that would work on both WiFi and 3G, and submitted that application to Apple.

The app is selling for the same price Sling charges for other phone platforms.

Either Apple or ATT made Sling eliminate the 3G capability -- ostensibly to protect ATT from bandwidth issues.

As has been pointed out in this thread, other phones and app's are allowed to use ATT's 3G network to stream TV -- so the result is that iPhone users are not getting equal treatment.

BTW -- the app works with my 3 year old SlingBox. I don't think it fair to expect Sling to support all old boxes just as it would not be fair to force them to try to make it work with a first generation iPhone.

 

[djuarez03]

The last I heard is that Orb was working on a Mac version of their app. As of now, it must still be in development.

On a side note, when I was Beta testing their app, they said that they were only able to get approved to stream TV over EDGE/3G after limiting the quality to match YouTube streaming quality over EDGE/3G. I'm assuming that as long as SlingMedia does the same thing, they should be able to get their app approved to stream over the cellular network.

 

[Tones2]

You guys know that all of this is just a RUMOR, right? There has been a LOT of misinformation out there presented as fact since this app was submitted to Apple. I don't believe ANYTHING until it actually HAPPENS.

Tony

 

[jimbonator]

I'm with many of you, I registered just to voice my outrage over this.

My contract with sprint is ending this week and this may be a dealbreaker for me to switch to ATT and get an iPhone.

What are they thinking?! I'd probably barely use it as I can sling in to my tv on my computer at the office, but when I need it I want it which would be on the road.

A perfect example is live sporting events when at the kid's little league stuff. There will be no wifi there, therefore this is useless.

I'll have to seriously consider staying with sprint and getting a pre or htc touch. Darnnit!

I will say this, if this is wrong and it is on 3g, ATT has a new customer instantly.

 

[levitynyc]

WIFI only means no buy from me. Whenever I'm near Wifi for an extended period, I have my Macbook with me and I just use the Windows app

Whats the point?

 

[DonSqueak]

I think this will be the app that finally gets me to jailbrake my iPhone. Playing over 3G is a big enough incentive to finally get me to do it.

can u read ??? NO 3G SUPPORT ! WI-FI ONLY !
for 30 bucks ? and only support the new models ?

NO THANKS.

**** slingmedia , ill sell my sling AV and get another brand.

Wifi only is ridiculous but I will probably still buy it as long as I can use it over 3G on my jailbroken iphone.

Anybody happen to know the name of this app?

VoIPover3G is the app and it should do the trick.