Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone. What's the deal?
Rarely has an iPhone/iPod touch app seen so many ups and downs. People have expected Sling Media to provide a version of their streaming video player for Apple since the iPhone first launched, but it has yet to materialize. In January, Sling demonstrated a beta of SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone at Macworld and created a flurry of excitement.
Three weeks ago Sling announced with a great deal of fanfare that the app had been submitted to the App Store, but so far, all we're hearing are crickets...
Earlier this month AT&T changed its published Terms of Service to directly prohibit apps like SlingPlayer Mobile from operating on the AT&T network. After a major meltdown from AT&T customers, all the carrier could say was "whoops, we didn't mean it -- that was a mistake".
Last week, an anonymous tipster with a dubious domain told TUAW that he worked for Apple and stated that the company was going to reject the app because AT&T couldn't support the bandwidth demands. Of course, carriers do support the SlingPlayer on other phones, including the BlackBerry and several Windows Mobile phones.
So, here we are, more than three weeks after SlingPlayer Mobile was submitted to the app store, and there's still nothing. Nada. Bupkis. Zlich. In the meantime, Sling Media has alienated many Slingbox owners by intimating that a lot of their older gear won't work with the iPhone app when (or if) it is released.
Disappointed with the slow rate of progress and the constant stream of rumors, I checked with Sling Media today to get the official word on what was up. Cathy Cook, a spokesperson for the company, says the app was submitted, and that Sling Media and Apple are in regular touch with each other. She says anything else people hear is rumor and conjecture. She added that Sling Media thinks the app is 'solid and a great experience' and they'd like nothing better than to have it in the App Store.
I dashed off another quick email to Ms. Cook asking if Apple had communicated any concerns about the app in the three weeks that it has been in limbo, but I haven't receive a response to that question so far. She did mention in the first email that "We've been told that a two-to-three week wait is common. Some apps may take less time, but it's important to remember that SlingPlayer is far more complex than a typical iPhone app. It makes sense it would take a little extra time to go through this process."
I think it is pretty clear that the 'inside' source at Apple who claimed that the app was rejected was a hoaxer, but it's also clear that Apple is taking a while to evaluate SlingPlayer Mobile before it either passes or fails the App Store testing. With AT&T begging Apple to renew the iPhone partnership for another year, and Apple about to launch new iPhone software (and maybe hardware) in the next few months, all eyes are on AT&T, Apple and Sling. It's a guess as to what will happen next in this little drama, so all you can do is wait for the Sling Media announcement and keep your fingers crossed. If you'd like to hear directly from Sling Media when the app becomes available or is finally turned down, there is now a web page where you can submit your email address to a contact list.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Phil Bridges said 6:46AM on 4-21-2009
We've just got Airfoil speakers for the iPhone/Touch and I seem to recall that took around the same time for apple to give it the thumbs up, mayber we're being a tad impatient? (I know I am!)
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NuttyBars said 6:49AM on 4-21-2009
I hope that Apple kills the Sling Player app the way that Sling killed support for their older units.
Furthermore, I hope that they offer a competing product and crush Sling Media.
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yanks86 said 7:36AM on 4-21-2009
I Don't....as annoyed as I am at Sling, I don't wish it to get rejected only because that also hurts everyone who was planning on purchasing it and wants to watch their slingbox on their Iphone.
Tristan said 10:11AM on 4-21-2009
I agree. I hope slingplayer never makes it to the iPhone. In an economy like this, it amazes me at how greedy companies can still be and how they so willingly screw over early adopters. I hope they go bankrupt while waiting on this app to be released.
mr. Obsession said 11:28AM on 4-21-2009
I have to agree - their unmitigated greed shouldn't be rewarded.
It REALLY sucks that they're forcing an unnecessary hardware upgrade just to squeeze more $$$ out of loyal customers. The fact that we all know the beta version DIDN'T require a new player makes it all the more shady shady shady.
Shame on Slingplayer - may the curse of Palm touch all of you.
Brian said 12:14PM on 4-21-2009
i wonder what happens when people go out and buy a new slingbox because sling told them it will work on the newer ones, then apple denies it from the app store... cant wait for mac support from hava so we can all ditch sling.
bobeast said 9:24PM on 4-21-2009
Nice. Clearly your angst over them not supporting the older hardware is more important to you than the enjoyment the rest of us might get from it. After all, Its clearly all about you.
NuttyBars said 9:29PM on 4-21-2009
You are absolutely correct. I don't care about anybody else except for my beautiful self because nobody else should enjoy this product on the backs of people who were exploited by Sling Media.
I wouldn't say this if the beta didn't work on the old devices. This is clearly a case of older devices being locked out to force upgrades.
Just_a_guy said 6:50AM on 4-21-2009
so..... I guess the ipod touch users get screwed again: what if I want to use this app on wifi? It would be so fun to watch some Southpark or whatever while in an airport across the country, or maybe watch some iron chef in between some of my tutoring sessions :)
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Michael Rose said 6:58AM on 4-21-2009
If/when it's approved, it should work 100% fine on WiFi.
Just_a_guy said 11:45AM on 4-21-2009
So if apple bans at&t use then no app for iPod touch users then... That isn't fair!
Tim said 12:27PM on 4-21-2009
...You tutor people? Really?
Just_a_guy said 3:38PM on 4-21-2009
I point out what is....
ak said 6:51AM on 4-21-2009
we're so over sling and their nonsensical business practices. dropping support for "older" boxes so they can sell a bunch of new ones? have they not noticed that there's a serious recession going on?
hulu is going to be the way to go to watch tv on the iPhone.
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Kevlar said 12:14PM on 4-21-2009
Except if you don't live in the USA.
I'm still waiting with baited breath for the SlingPlayer app.
MS said 7:30AM on 4-21-2009
Why should the AT&T have any say over the approval process for countries outside the US? Apple continuously trumpet the international availability of the iPhone - Maybe it's time for them to release it for WiFi users everywhere, over 3G for carriers happy to support it (and there will be many), and tell US folks to complain to AT&T.
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billbarlow said 11:30AM on 4-21-2009
Can me paranoid, but...
Doesn't SlingPlayer on iPhone have the potential to reduce Apple's earnings - since every show you watch (for free) from your SlingBox is, presumably, one less download from the iTunes Store?
Bottom line issue: Would Apple quash an App that threatens their basic premise -- that all media (except ripped cd's, perhaps) be purchased directly from them?
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WiiTodd said 8:23AM on 4-21-2009
This won't work on a box I purchased new just over 1 year ago, which I purchased because my old Slingbox tuner died. What upsets me the most is I have two friends who also purchased recently "unsupported" Slingboxes on my recommendation, both iPod Touch/iPhone users, I learned my lesson NOT to recommend a product from a company you don't know well.
I wish the best for the late adopters or people who upgraded. Hope you get the chance to buy the new App. And hopefully it works via EDGE/3G.
I think this whole situtation would be easier to accept if we were told early on this App was for the newest boxes.
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drpower said 8:51AM on 4-21-2009
I have an old slingbox so I will not have the opportunity to use this app. But I do hope it gets approved so it paves the way for other apps like Hulu. I know the only problem with the iPhone is the network it's on, but I wouldn't want to see a good idea thrown away because of AT&T. For now, I would settle for these apps to be wifi only rather than rejected all together.
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BeyondtheTech said 8:59AM on 4-21-2009
I was honestly happy to plunk down $30 for LogMeIn Ignition for iPhone because they've offered their LogMeIn Free service for years, and didn't make any restrictions when the iPhone app came out (I was worried it was only going to support Pro accounts or something).
But for Sling to pull something like this when it clearly worked on all Slingboxes during the beta period is just greedy. I shouldn't complain, since I won my autographed Slingbox classic at a contest, so I may very well just plunk down $129 for the AV box.
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