UPDATED: SlingPlayer 3G Access Blocked by AT&T Due to Competing i-Verse App?
UPDATE: As of right now, SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone is ranked #9 on the Top Paid Apps list on iTunes. A $29.99 app. Imagine if it had 3G?
ORIGINAL: Gizmodo has a source claiming that while AT&T may have legitimate concerns about their networks ability to handle millions of iPhone users trying to stream long-form video over 3G, they also may have far more self-serving, and perhaps anti-competitive reasons to block SlingPlayer’s access:
AT&T’s working on their OWN application code-named i-Verse, one that performs a similar task as SlingPlayer Mobile. AT&T’s “i-Verse” app works with their U-Verse TV solution that can either load DVR’ed shows from your U-Verse recorder into your iPhone at home, or stream shows across the net over their 3G network.
Which makes little sense to us as not everyone has or wants, or even lives in an area where they can get U-verse. Never mind people in countries where AT&T doesn’t exist. (Though, again, we suspect international carriers are in agreement with this type of arrangement, may have their own services in the pipe, and are gleeful that AT&T takes the heat).
As opposed to SlingBox, of course, which anyone can buy and drop into their setup regardless of service.
The whole situation make us think that maybe Jeremy was on to something when he wondered out loud about AT&T exerting too much control over the App Store…
May 14th, 2009 at 8:43 am
i-Verse? not sure I would use it if it was available. Purchased the sling player app since I have a slingbox pro. I am sure AT&T will charge a premuin for their service. Just like them to find more ways to get revenue for more crappy service
May 14th, 2009 at 8:52 am
I had been assuming this would be a reason that gets overlooked by most. I don’t know why AT&T has taken so long to start developing their own iPhone apps, or why as part of their agreement they didn’t get Apple to whip up some for them to peddle their services if users wanted. Is their GPS software next with OS 3.0?
May 14th, 2009 at 9:11 am
this sling box thing seems to me to be a bit expensive! I pay for cable 120$, I have to pay for a hd sling box 240$, I pay for the app on the Iphone 30$, all to watch live tv that I cant even record to view at a later date??? (not priceless). Live tv on the IPhone sounds cool but I am not spending all that cash to watch 10 min of tv when I am bored at the DMV.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Apple would have to reject AT&T’s i-verse app. Or make them make a wifi only version.
Otherwise, it gets criminal. You cannot collude to prevent competitors. If i-verse comes about with ability to stream TV on 3G, Sling should sue both of them.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:16 am
@chobbs
Since you can operate your dvr with a slingbox and phone app, you can record what you want.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:18 am
What may be the most irritating in this whole debacle is that AT&T dictates the situation not only for the US, but for the entire planet. I have very little reason to believe my carrier would object to streaming apps like SlingPlayer, Joost or Spotify. Or downloading large files from appstore or iTunes over the air. So why should the limitations be imposed on me as well?
May 14th, 2009 at 9:57 am
AT&T needs to drop unlimited data because if they put a cap on data and charged for overages then they would LOVE this app!
May 14th, 2009 at 11:08 am
I was one of the long awaiting people for slingbox, i was even a sling beta tester for some of the other phones such as the TREO that was able to stream over sprint’s network. Now they come out with ****, only on wifi, if thats the dam case i will just take the laptop and stream from there!!!!
May 14th, 2009 at 11:44 am
I’m glad they released the real reason. I was seriously considering buying a slingbox and the app, but now that an app is in the works that will complement u-verse I’ll just wait.
May 14th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
If this is wi-fi only, fine, no issue.
However, if this is 3g capable, ATT is going to catch a lot of heat, and Apple along with them for their approval of the app.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
@cardfan. “ITV” can control my DVD for free. Plus I still would have to buy the dvr with or without the sling box. I still don’t see the advantage of slingbox. Could someone explain why it’s worth it?
And as far as AT&T limiting it to wifi. I do not see that as a criminal act. As long as they treat similar apps the same way. Btw how many people do you think would try and watch TV while sitting at a red light or even while driving. Not sure AT&T is being fair but the resulting limitation may be safer In The long run…just sayin.
May 15th, 2009 at 7:46 am
International carriers? In what other countries is sling available?
May 15th, 2009 at 11:59 am
I called AT&T on Wednesday asking them to keep escalating my call. No one was able to explain why I don’t really have an unlimited data plan. I explained that many customers would jail break and go to an alternate carrier, but it is falling on deaf ears. They ONLY see the $ and can’t think in terms of customer service. And SHAME on apple for not flexing their muscle on this. There must be a kickback in it for them too!!! This is total abuse to their highest ticket customers… Not smart when the phones CAN be hacked and carriers can be changed!!! Also, you CAN use wifi-only apps over 3g with a jail broken phone, and do it over a better carrier. Apple and at$t better look at their business practices on this one. Don’t f with the high ticket customers!!!
May 15th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Eventually…decisions like this will make Apple move to another company. By then most our contracts will be up, so we can just follow.