The long-awaited SlingPlayer Mobile for the iPhone went live overnight on the App Store. Price: $29.99. But it won’t be available over AT&T’s 3G network — only WiFi access is allowed.
The Slingbox is a consumer device that takes the signal from a cable, satellite or video recorder and puts it on the Internet. Users can then view their stream using a computer or handheld with a broadband connection and a password unique to that particular box.
“Applications like this, which redirect a TV signal to a personal computer, are specifically prohibited under our terms of service,” stated AT&T. “We consider smartphones like the iPhone to be personal computers,” explained the company.
But this policy is inconsistent. Only Sling’s iPhone app is crippled.
Other versions of SlingPlayer Mobile work on PalmOS, BlackBerry, and Windows Mobile over your cell phone network. Sling players are available for the Samsung Blackjack, Motorola Q, Blackberry, and other smartphones.
AT&T’s taking heat today over the decision to remove 3G streaming capability from the iPhone SlingPlayer — a decision that gets at the very heart of several hot-button issues plaguing AT&T and Apple alike, explains Engadget. AT&T’s statement explains:
Slingbox, which would use large amounts of wireless network capacity, could create congestion and potentially prevent other customers from using the network.
The bandwidth demands of iPhone users caused AT&T to pull back, making the service only available over WiFi. AT&T now provides cellular subscribers with free WiFi access at Starbucks and other locations.
