Unlike the recently redeemed VoIP, streaming TV over 3G to an iPhone is still a no-no according to AT&T’s terms of service, but has an error (or “error”) on the part of EyeTV [$4.99 - iTunes link] developer Elgato allowed them to go where SlingPlayer is still forbidden to tread?

Apparently so, if instead of tapping okay to dismiss the warning, you tap the message text instead. Then it’s 3G away you go.

Of course, AT&T lets other devices use SlingPlayer over 3G, and of course Apple’s YouTube app, and apps from Ustream and Stickam stream non-TV over 3G, so who while the whole policy makes the kind of sense that doesn’t, it will be interesting to what reaction, if any, AT&T and Apple have to this little workaround…

UPDATE: Apple has pulled EyeTV off the App Store. Elgato has issued the following statement to TotalApps:

“Some test code that enabled live TV streaming over the cellular network was accidentally left in the the EyeTV App. Apple requested that we remove the code since their agreement with AT&T does not allow redirecting TV signals over the cellular network. The code was removed and a 1.0.1 version of the EyeTV app was submitted.”

[Via AppAdvice - Thanks Tyler!]

Last week was the CTIA Wireless IT & Entertainment conference. We had coverage at a few of our sites, but Kevin Michaluk and I also sat down with Mickey Papillon of The Cell Phone Junkie to record a podcast about our thoughts on the event – worth checking out. Here’s what else went on in the smartphone world this week.

What does AT&T’s announcement today, regarding a change of policy to allow VoIP applications like Skype to operate over the 3G network mean for Google Voice in the App Store and SlingPlayer over 3G?

Nothing.

Not to rain on our many commenters and emailers parades, but AT&T’s VoIP policy has nothing to do with either of those apps because:

1. Google Voice was rejected/is still under review by Apple, not by AT&T. All parties have clearly stated AT&T has played and is playing absolutely no role in keeping Google Voice out of the App Store. That ball is still firmly in Apple’s court, and it will take movement from them, and them alone, to bring it to the App Store when — and if — they decide to pull the trigger.

2. SlingPlayer sends your home TV video over 3G, and clearly has nothing to do with VoIP. AT&T has a distinct and separate policy forbidding the use of apps like SlingPlayer on their 3G network. Unless and until AT&T changes that second, specific policy as well, no SlingPlayer over 3G for you. (And seriously, given AT&T is dropping 30% of calls in NYC as well, does anyone think their network could survive even more traffic at this point?)

So there you go. You’re getting VoIP from AT&T and Apple, no more, no less. Scratch that off the list, and if they’ve given an inch, and you hunger for a mile, keep the armor on and re-focus your battle on the next two (or more) targets.

Netflix, which mails DVDs and Blu-Ray discs to subscribers and streams movies and TV shows directly to Xbox 360 and other set-top box owners, commented on the likelihood of their working with Apple, and specifically providing an app for the iPhone:

“[A partnership with Apple] is something that’s likely to come over time, but nothing in the short term. [With] movie watching, we are not focused on mobile yet, but on the TV, on Blu-ray and on the video game consoles. We will get to mobile eventually, including the iPhone.”

This either goes against, or pushes back previous rumors that “Watch Instantly” was on its way to the App Store.

Of course, there are significant hurdles to overcome. First, media licensing is still an outdated mess, with different rights for different content making it difficult for any company to provide similar services across geographical boundaries. Indeed, Netflix is US-only still. While Apple’s own iTunes Store movie and TV platform is in several countries around the world, including the US, Canada, UK, Australia, content varies incredibly from one to the other, and many iTunes stores are still app-only, or app and music only.

In terms of competition, Apple has recently let Spotify and Rhapsody onto the App Store, so Netflix might find a similar home despite iTunes’ own offerings. There’d still be the question of the streaming itself, however, as despite recent FCC net neutrality proposals, AT&T and other carriers might not have the capacity to handle that much bandwidth on such a popular device, consigning Netflix to Wi-Fi, much like SlingPlayer.

[Reuters via Digital Daily via Gizmodo]

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the FCC is set to announce what amounts to “net neutrality” today, something that will make users and technology companies like Google, Amazon, and Apple’s iTunes ecstatic, while roshambo’ing Big Telco right where it hurts.

Basically, net neutrality means data carriers like cable and DLS providers and wireless/mobile telephone companies can’t restrict what travels over their lines or airwaves. Data is data. Disallow SlingPlayer or Skype? Sorry, not allowed.

It’s not all good news for consumers, however, as carriers like the iPhone’s AT&T are already buckling under the existing data load, and allowing bandwidth gulping apps like SlingPlayer could bring down more towers, faster. It could also cause Big Telco to respond by raising their rates.

Also, the proposal would only prevent networks from blocking legitimate websites and services, not those deemed illegitimate (i.e. torrent sites).

Of course, an FCC proposal is a long way from a new network order, and AT&T and other ISPs, as well as those who oppose government regulation on principle, will likely continue to oppose it.

Hit the poll above and let us know what you think.

[Via Macworld]

AT&T has unveiled plans to upgrade their 3G network to 7.2 HSPA in various markets across the US by the end of the year. What cities happen to have all of the luck on their side? Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Miami.

If you don’t live in any of those cities don’t worry, I will let you all know how it works here in Chicago. Unfortunately for those who are not so lucky, the wait for HSPA 7.2 will will take a bit longer as AT&T is only planning on having 25 of the nation’s 30 largest markets upgraded by the end of 2010. John Stankey, president and CEO, AT&T Operations:

“Our deployment of HSPA 7.2 and supporting backhaul connectivity will enable our customers to continue to ride the leading edge of emerging devices and thousands of mobile applications, our network is based on the predominant technology platform used by operators worldwide and has been tested by today’s most popular devices. That experience gives us an important advantage in developing and deploying new technologies to meet customers’ future needs.”

Who knows, maybe as these network upgrades are taking place we will slowly start to see apps such as SlingPlayer Mobile get rid of their Wi-Fi-only chains? Only time will tell.

Mike Ash (via Marco.org) makes this point following the FCC responses today:

Ignoring the question of why it’s Apple’s job to prevent their customers from breaking AT&T’s terms of service, it’s interesting to note just how much this policy is centered on the United States. The iPhone is sold in dozens of different countries and works with dozens of different cellular carriers all over the world. You can be certain that each one of those carriers has different terms of service. Why is AT&T so privileged that their terms of service, and theirs alone, are the ones that Apple looks at when deciding whether to reject or accept any given app? It’s quite likely that people all over the world are missing out on great iPhone apps that their cellular carriers would permit them to use just because AT&T does not permit Americans to use them.

This by way of saying, for example, because AT&T prohibits SlingPlayer from running over 3G, users in Canada (on Rogers), the UK (on 02), Japan (on SoftBank), etc. are also prevented from using SlingPlayer of 3G.

Apple certainly makes only specific mention of AT&T in their consideration process. However, AT&T was the first iPhone carrier signed, so perhaps there’s something in that original deal that makes it so — or is it just that Apple is headquartered in the US?

Now, presuming those other, international carriers aren’t just sighing in relief that AT&T takes the hit on this so they don’t have to (anyone think Rogers, O2, SoftBank, et al. are dying to take the network hit that comes with an uber-popular, functionality surfacing device like the iPhone doing high-bandwidth tasks like streaming TV shows and movies?

There are certainly examples enough of region-specific apps (AT&T’s own apps are just in the US), and apps that are missing from just one regional app store (Skype is not in the Canadian App Store, reportedly due to a patent dispute).

As mentioned previously, Sling has submitted a 3G-enabled version of SlingPlayer for non-US App Stores (Canada, UK, Japan, etc.), so we’ll soon see.

In light of today’s response by Apple to the FCC about the Google Voice rejection, and anticipating the likely, negative reaction it will engender, I’m again left thinking that Apple and their iPhone are closer akin to a restaurant, not a super market.

Steve Jobs is like one of those screaming, perfectionistic executive chefs concerned more with his haut cuisine than his customers, whose palettes he believes tempered by years of McRosoft (or whatever). He — and they — will serve you a beautiful, delicious, premium plate but will also decide every single ingredient that goes on it, if not tell you exactly how they want you to eat it. If you go to a restaurant, you know what you’re in for. You don’t go to Nobu and throw a fit because they refuse to serve you spaghetti, or let you run into the kitchen and whip up your own meal.

Other companies might be more like super markets, where you can indeed assemble your own meal from whatever they sell — though they’ll still stock the shelves with what they want, and not what they don’t want. More freedom, more work for the customer, and some will gladly take control over ease of use.

Typically, most of us go to restaurants AND shop at super markets, depending on what we feel like at the time. Likewise, some of us want that Apple-polished experience, others want more ability to roll their own.

With Google Voice specifically, Apple’s not letting that hot new sous-chef in the door, perhaps because they suspect he’s going to alter the menu in a profound way, then open up down the street and take all their customers. IBM learned that very painfully when they licensed DOS from Microsoft for the PC — sometimes you create your own killer.

Ultimately, the iPhone is Apple’s restaurant and Steve Jobs is the executive chef, and whether the lease with the booze supplier (AT&T) prohibits certain other cocktails (Skype, SlingPlayer), or Apple refused to let certain food in the place, it’s still their restaurant, and they control the menu.

Apple should just be honest about it and tell users and developers like it is — an iPhone is an appliance, no different than a Nintendo Wii or any other closed box. Right now, they’re feigning greater openness than they’re actually providing, causing prolonged confusion and ill-will. Say it straight, it’s our iPhone point finale, take the hit from users and developers who’ll leave, and then everyone else knows what it is when they pick it up and sign the contract, and it’s their responsibility.

UPDATE: As pointed out in comments, Android honcho Andy Rubin responds on the Google blog:

Here are the facts, clear and simple: While the first generation of our Android software did not support full-featured VoIP applications due to technology limitations, we have worked through those limitations in subsequent versions of Android, and developers are now able to build and upload VoIP services.

Rubin claims USA Today was made aware of this, but also says “individual operators can request that certain applications be filtered if they violate their terms of service”, which basically means AT&T’s no SlingPlayer, or conceivably any networks no-VoIP policy, would still affect Android, so — okay. Let’s get to it Skype and we’ll see what T-Mo really thinks.

However, Rubin does dream, like all of us (likely even Apple, in public, if asked) of the day when “dumb pipes” are a reality.

Read the rest of this entry »

SlingPlayer Mobile [$29.99 - iTunes Store] brings a few news features to everyone’s favorite video transporter:

• 16×9 widescreen for SOLO, PRO, and PRO-HD users
• Remote access integration for DISH users
• Faster start time and channel changes
• Improved remote control UI

Thanks to AT&T’s targeted terms of service, however, which specifically forbids SlingPlayer over 3G, you’re still constrained to Wi-Fi (as is everyone on every other network outside AT&T, though Sling has apparently submitted a 3G version for App Stores outside the US — no word on it from Apple yet, however).

If you give the update a go, let us know how it works for you.

[Thanks Robert for the tip!]