News
SlingPlayer for iPhone hitting App Store for $30
By Charles Starrett
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Tuesday, May 12, 2009
News Category: Apps + Games
After a long delay, Sling Media’s SlingPlayer Mobile app for iPhone and iPod touch has been approved for release in the App Store, albeit with a very high price tag and more restrictions than originally planned. First unveiled in January, the approved app works only on Wi-Fi—not on 3G as planned, suggesting Apple and/or AT&T had issues with the bandwidth used by the app—and will support the SlingBox Pro, Pro-HD, and Solo, with unofficial support for older SlingBox units. According to Engadget, the app’s controls exhibit slight lag despite the Wi-Fi-only restriction, and it displays letterbox-formatted content with black bars on all four sides, failing to take full advantage of the iPhone’s and iPod touch’s screen. SlingPlayer Mobile for the iPhone and iPod touch is expected to hit the App Store between midnight and 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and will sell for $30.
Update: SlingPlayer Mobile is now available from the App Store.
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1
Are they kidding? $30 for an iPhone app (that is free for desktop users) that doesn’t work in the way most would want it (over 3G) and almost snubs the very people who made Slingbox a success (original box owners).
Posted by Dale Reeck on May 12, 2009 at 2:04 PM (PDT)
2
The problem is not with the application: the problem is with AT&T;. They issued a statement saying that they consider the iPhone a PC, and that it’s against their terms of service to direct, or “sling”, a TV stream to a PC (in this case the iPhone).
What they are really saying, however, is that their crappy network can’t handle the strain and they have to discriminate against iPhone owners while Blackberry owners and certain Motorola devices can continue slinging on 3G.
What’s really interesting, however, is that Apple is restricting the app solely for AT&T;, while many other iPhone users are not even on AT&T;‘s network. What about users in other countries?
Posted by Germansuplex on May 12, 2009 at 11:18 PM (PDT)
3
But still, $30 for a fricking iPhone app!
Posted by Andreas on May 13, 2009 at 4:51 PM (PDT)
4
I say dont buy it. Let them lower their price.
Posted by Joseph Fattizzi on May 14, 2009 at 2:15 AM (PDT)
5
The frustrating thing is that Blackberry and Windows Mobile users have been running the SlingBox app over 3g and Edge for years!! Why limit the iPhone..?
Posted by Edward on May 14, 2009 at 6:25 AM (PDT)