Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, App Review
First look at SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone
This is a painful review to write, because the SlingPlayer for iPhone had so much potential before AT&T decided to cripple it. One can understand the terror at the thought of a million SlingPlayers draining network bandwidth dry, but in fact, AT&T seems to be violating its own Terms of Service by allowing other smartphones to run SlingPlayer without interference. OK, so how does the SlingPlayer [App Store link] for iPhone/iPod touch work on a WiFi network? Pretty well. The video can be a bit choppy, but it is quite watchable, and basically gives you a full-featured television receiver (or DVD player if you are set up that way) wherever you have an accessible network.
Set up is pretty easy and does not require a manual. The only pain point is inputting your unique Sling ID which requires typing long strings of upper case letters followed by numbers. This can be skipped if you have a Sling account configured in advance.
In my case I have a SlingBox Pro, connected to a DirecTV HD receiver. The remote worked fine, and it is a transparent overlay so the video shows through. Entering a command results in a 4-5 second wait for it to be executed, but that is understandable considering what is going on behind the scenes. Entering pretty much any command to the remote pauses the video and audio, which again, is understandable but not desirable.
If you have a DVR, the SlingPlayer app will control it, which is a real benefit to users who are away from home and want to catch a program, or play it back remotely.
The loss of 3G functionality is sad. In the old days I used the SlingPlayer on a Motorola smartphone. When traveling, it was easy to catch a newscast or get some ball scores from any location. Now, you have to have a Wi-Fi connection, which seriously limits your options.
Finally, there is the matter of price. It is hard to endorse paying $30.00US for an app that has lost a major feature. Sling charges the same price for versions of the app that do run on 3G. It seems unfair given all that has happened to this app.
It is certainly true that Sling Media is not to blame for the business decisions of AT&T, but the company certainly controls the pricing of the app.
I think there will be a lot of people who want to buy and use SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone. On the other hand, many people have had their enthusiasm severely dampened by the current situation. Unfortunately, no matter how clever the app, and it IS clever, AT&T, Apple and Sling Media have all been damaged by this drama.
Nothing is forever, and policies can change. All concerned will have to figure out if the decisions made so far with this app are worth the damage to reputations and corporate image.
Note: The Sling web site is running pretty slowly as I write this, and I was surprised to see that the iPhone version of the app is not listed in the support options.
Here are some screen shots of the app in operation:
Gallery: SlingPlayer Mobile
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Sebastien said 1:12PM on 5-13-2009
I just wrote a post on my blog on how to use SlingPlayer over 3G. Simple hack, great results :) Check it out http://bit.ly/YPS8C
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Tim said 3:40PM on 5-13-2009
I hope SlingPlayer users have the maximum data usage plans for their iPhones!!
Jinto said 11:21PM on 5-13-2009
I'm thinking of a commercial, "Need to take a photo? There is an app for that *shows someone opening the photo app* Need to write some text? There's an app for that *same bit* Need to post on facebook? There's an app for that *same bit* Need to surf the web? There's an app for that *same bit*
Need to do something that Apple and AT&T does not want you to do? Like, use Slingplayer over 3G? There's an app for that."
kevhamner said 10:22AM on 5-18-2009
Question please.
I have sling working over 3G now but was wonder if it will always use 3G or will it use Wi-Fi when available?
Do you know?
Mystic said 1:15PM on 5-13-2009
Wow, Sling even have FAKE screencaps on their Appstore page.
It's sad what you've become Sling.
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Ruamrudee said 4:31PM on 5-13-2009
I wondered if Verizon network would support SlingPlayer Mobile...
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Ket said 1:37PM on 5-13-2009
I do appreciate those who purchased the app (right now Sling Junkie) on the app store just to rate the app 1 star. I have voted their review as helpful since the app description fails to mention that it's WiFi only (very deceptive).
I'd love to vote this a 1 star app, but i don't want to give sling (and apple via their cut) 29.99 after caving to the demands of the deathstar for the privilege.
Sling should have called att out on their iphone page by stating that att is demanding that sling cripple the app, then let the internet's rage takeover.
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Stephen Moore said 1:48PM on 5-13-2009
AT&T, ruining SlingPlayer for International iPhone users since 2009.
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Nathan said 1:54PM on 5-13-2009
Not worth the price for only having wi-fi capability. What a severe blow to what appeared to be a great product. So much for watching my Slingbox anywhere!
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Matt said 1:58PM on 5-13-2009
I think there is one calculation that AT&T failed to make. I agree that it would be a tax on an already taxed network. But from their excuse they made it sound like every iPhone customer owned a slingbox. First of all to make the app work you have to own a SlingBox, and then you have to fork out the $30 to buy the app. I think their estimation of the amount of actual customer that are going to use it are severely skewed. The sad thing is they really didn't prevent anything, they just made their name look bad and everyone agree.
As you can tell by Sebastien comment. The people that want it to work over 3G are going to make it work anyway. Which means their network is still going to get used.
I am upset about their decision because it is a double standard, how is it allowed on every other smart phone and not on the iPhone? Yes their are a lot more iPhone users, but that should not be what they base their blockage of use on. I should not be punished because I own and iPhone. I pay for unlimited data and I should be able to use that data when I please and on whatever I please.
In the mean time, AT&T should have absolutely no say, on what application I put on my phone.
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Ket said 2:10PM on 5-13-2009
^ This.
ATT: I pay you to be my provider for an unlimited network connection over 3G. Instead of limiting the use of this app for a small subset of your users, why not beef up your network, implement some traffic shaping, etc. if your network is suffering.
Here's another idea: compete on price/bandwidth/coverage and get your damn hands off 3rd party dev's products. Your iphone exclusivity won't last forever..
If you want to disallow streaming video, then remove youtube from the iphone too (and good luck with the outrage from that). selective enforcement for one platform/app just makes you look bad.
Sling: I had 29.99 at the ready until 3G was yanked. count me as a lost sale.
misterjoza said 2:59AM on 5-16-2009
you hit the nail on the head! Agree 100 percent!
drpower said 2:05PM on 5-13-2009
I have an old Slingplayer so the app wasn't going to work for me anyhow. Now I have no real need to rush out and upgrade.
It will be interesting to see what the Hulu app will go through. Will AT&T change their policy yet again?
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Mystic said 2:22PM on 5-13-2009
Sling changed it so that it WILL work with old Slingboxes, but they won't provide support for them.
jerry.slaff said 9:13AM on 5-14-2009
App works with my old Slingbox Classic perfectly. Integrates well (if slowly) with my ReplayTV DVR. Since I have a iPod Touch and not an iPhone, the loss of 3G isn't an issue for me. Since this allows me to NOT take a laptop on travel, now that I have e-mail, web, and Slingbox through the iPod, it's well worth the $30.
BeyondtheTech said 2:11PM on 5-13-2009
I, for one, have finally started the countdown to the end of AT&T exclusivity for the iPhone in the United States. I will no longer have loyalty toward them and as soon as the iPhone is available on a better-serving network, I have no reservations on moving ten lines of family and friends over to them.
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adisor19 said 2:20PM on 5-13-2009
Jailbreak and VoipOver3G make baby Jesus happy ;)
Adi
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EMoShunz said 2:21PM on 5-13-2009
anybody know how this plays out for roger's in canada?
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Devon said 3:18PM on 5-13-2009
Yeah, we're screwed because apparently AT&T dictates somewhat which apps can be put on their network. Since there isn't any way for an app to figure out what network it's on, there's no way for Slingplayer to disable 3G when they're on the crappy 3G networks and enable it for the good ones. I have no need for this app anyways but it's a pretty big fiasco.
Andrew Gillham said 2:43PM on 5-13-2009
I am surprised at the EULA attached to this application as well. It seems rather restrictive. It prevents any commercial use of the sling player. This precludes giving any demonstrations of a product attached to a sling player. Someone like Dish Network with their "sling enabled" DVRs wouldn't be able to demonstrate the feature, or even install the application on their phones for testing since it would be commercial use.
Also, you can ONLY it with a Slingbox that YOU PERSONALLY OWN. So if you're in a household with 2-3 people with iPhones and a Slingbox, only the OWNER of the Slingbox could legally use it under the terms of this EULA. Good luck letting your spouse, kids, parents, siblings use YOUR Slingbox from upstairs or sitting by the pool.
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