Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
Ooooo nooooo! SlingMobile for iPhone won't work on 3G
At least, that's what our sister publication is reporting. If true, there will be a tremendous firestorm of anger from iPhone customers who expected to use this app the way the Sling app runs on other devices, including some cellphones on AT&T that are able to use 3G. Using this $30.00 app on just Wi-Fi is a real turn off to many users. This app has had its share of ups and downs, with Sling confidently predicting it was on the way. It may be on the way, but it appears to have been seriously crippled. Editor's note: The story is now confirmed by Sling. Wi-Fi only (at this time).Engadget is saying the app will be released after midnight EDT tonight. They also say older Sling hardware WILL work with the mobile app, albeit unsupported.I would think hardware stores will be busy today with sales of pitchforks and torches.
We have calls into Sling for an explanation. I don't think this is going to be pretty.
One of our British readers (thanks Adrien) says the app is already in the UK app store. Here is a link to a capture of the page in iTunes. No doubt about it. People are not going to be happy with Sling, Apple, or AT&T.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
David Hildreth said 3:34PM on 5-12-2009
$30?
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LD said 3:51PM on 5-12-2009
$30 is what they charge for their current mobile Sling player. I wouldn't buy it at $30. The economics of the App Store probably means others wouldn't either. Make it $4.99 and you have a winner.
Adam said 4:34PM on 5-12-2009
@LD
I agree. First, you have the fact that you are buying what is really a crippled mobile version as it does not allow for a cellular data connection. This doesn't really matter if it is Sling's fault or Apple/ATT's as you are getting less bang for your buck here compared to the other versions. Also, I wonder how they came up with this price. On one side I see they don't want to alienate their other customers by favoring one phone over the other and pricing it under their other offerings. On the other hand, I look through the App Store and see nothing that has sold big at that price range. The MLB app is the only thing I can really think of that can even command a $10 price point.
idntcare66 said 3:41PM on 5-12-2009
its $29.99, every penny makes a difference. right?
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Dave said 3:43PM on 5-12-2009
I'm buying it. There aren't many times that I would use the app that I'm not attached to Wifi and don't want to haul my macbook pro around.
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Q DuB said 4:10PM on 5-12-2009
Not absolutely positive, Dave, but I think you would only be able to use this app on your own wifi unless you can configure it so it connects to your home network from another network...please let me know if I'm wrong though; I just think thats how Sling plays with wifi.
Brian said 4:17PM on 5-12-2009
@Q DuB
nope, it will connect from anywhere. thats how slingboxes work. you used to need to know your boxes id number to connect (on each device, just one time), but now you register your box with them so you can connect with just a username and password, any network (as long as your firewall is configured, which they help you out with)
David Chartier said 3:45PM on 5-12-2009
Considering how hard of a time AT&T has had keeping up with the demands of iPhone 3G customers (note: *not* users of other phones, because they aren't as popular), I am neither surprised nor disappointed in this news.
I would hate to experience even more dropped calls because a bunch of stooges just had to catch up on their Gossip Girl or Dancing With The Stars while away from home.
AT&T just needs time to bulk up its network, and it isn't just a matter of throwing a few more boxes out there. This is complex stuff. Give it time. I doubt Verizon or any other carrier would have been able to keep up with the bandwidth-gobbling demands of the iPhone and all the App Store has to offer.
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Jeff Brown said 6:32PM on 5-12-2009
Then here is an idea - don't sign an exclusive deal that results in all of the iPhone traffic being concentrated over your network. The bandwith excuse is nonsense- do they think millions of people will suddenly run out and start watching all of their TV on a 4" screen?
If they are giving folks with Blackberries 3G access for slingplayers and they're not giving it to iPhone users(and in general denying us functionality other smartphone users take for granted because we might actually USE it), then how about this - charge me less for my plan. The truth is they know they have us by the short hairs - either iPhone and AT&T or no iPhone, so they can do whatever they want. AT&T wouldn't dare do this to Blackberry users because AT&T knows they would just switch carriers.
Johnny said 3:57PM on 5-12-2009
Your unbiased logic is not welcome here.
j/k ;->
Brandon said 4:01PM on 5-12-2009
I agree with you somewhat David in that AT&T should upgrade their network.
I do have some problems with AT&T killing 3g on this app though. I pay a premium, $30 a month I believe, for unlimited 3G data for the iPhone - A cost one cannot easily shirk off when owning an iPhone. If AT&T is able to shut down 3G capability of any app in the app store, then I'm not actually getting 'unlimited' data am I? No, I'm actually only able to transmit data over the 3g network with AT&T's permission. That is, although I've paid AT&T for unlimited data, AT&T can limit the type and amount of data I transmit over 3g from my iPhone by limiting which apps are 'allowed' to make such transmissions. It's a backdoor way of controlling iPhone data usage.
Scott said 3:48PM on 5-12-2009
if someone could kindly provide a link to an easy jailbreak solution that will trick my phone into thinking it is on wifi when I'm 3G'n I would appreciate it.
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David Hildreth said 4:01PM on 5-12-2009
http://tinyurl.com/o32l2s
Alan said 4:02PM on 5-12-2009
http://www.quickpwn.com/
Jailbreak, Open Cydia, Search for and download Voipover3g. Google configuring voipover3g to learn how to make it work with all the applications you want to always work over 3g.
LifeStar said 3:52PM on 5-12-2009
So after all the screaming and shouting... we get to use our older slingboxes...but now we can't use them on the ATT network? Seriously, Sling, you need to take a dirt nap for all the mistakes you've been committing. It's beyond funny or even annoying now.
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Max said 3:52PM on 5-12-2009
The price is extreme, but did you people ever really think AT&T was going to let this on 3G? how clueless can you be?
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Rafael said 3:56PM on 5-12-2009
R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S.
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Rafael said 3:57PM on 5-12-2009
Scott said 3:48PM on 5-12-2009
if someone could kindly provide a link to an easy jailbreak solution that will trick my phone into thinking it is on wifi when I'm 3G'n I would appreciate it.
DO YOU KNOW SOMETHING CALLED GOOGLE.COM ??
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sodapop said 4:03PM on 5-12-2009
Dude, telling someone to use Google to find an Apple/iPhone community for tips WHEN THEY ARE ALREADY IN an Apple/iPhone community is retarded.
sodapop said 4:01PM on 5-12-2009
I am not paying $30 for an app that I can have a larger picture on my laptop for free in the same connectivity circumstances.
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