Streaming video from your iPhone? They crippled the app for that.
Qik [iTunes link] is an eagerly awaited free app for the iPhone. Most other video capable phones have a version of it. Qik allows, among other things, live streaming from your phone to the web. How could someone not want that capability? Early on, Qik offered a version for jailbroken phones that worked quite well.Well of course, we've learned that what can run on other smartphones may not necessarily make it to the iPhone, and predictably the App Store version has been crippled. You can record video, upload video (Wi-Fi only) but no streaming or uploading over the 3G network. In fact, you can't even live stream over WiFi.
I'm sure doing all this this violates the hastily revised terms of service from AT&T. It still grates that the phone that is helping to save AT&T financially has its users abused by having lesser services than other phones that are allowed on the same network.
Of course, if video streaming is forbidden, what about YouTube and MLB At Bat [iTunes link], that streams two live games a day? And what about the SlingPlayer app, that is allowed to stream across the cellular data network on other AT&T phones but only over Wi-Fi on the iPhone? I know, there are so many iPhones that it would swamp the inadequate AT&T network, but what did AT&T expect when they fought so hard to get the iPhone? Do they really think streaming by a few Slingbox users or Qik addicts will ever top the bandwidth stats of the baseball app?
Today Qik added this to its website: "We've submitted an update to the App Store which will have it working over 3G networks, too. We'll let you know as soon as that upgrade has been cleared. " I wouldn't hold my breath on that one, and it isn't clear if it's just for uploading or live streaming.
The Qik app works fine as far as it goes. I shot some video, and uploaded it to the Qik site after creating an account. The video was pretty compressed, but that's to be expected. It's a nice app, but without the main feature of live streaming it doesn't add much to what the iPhone 3GS can already do. The iPhone as-is allows you to send short videos via email, YouTube and MobileMe using the 3G network. Go figure.
The FCC is looking into all this, and the AT&T and Apple answers will be interesting. iPhone owners don't want to be treated like second class citizens, and as this farce continues that's what it is beginning to look like. If I could, I would require Apple and AT&T execs to take a look at the famous Apple 1984 commercial and decide if they are the one throwing the hammer, or if they are on the screen.
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Qik [iTunes link] is an eagerly awaited free app for the iPhone. Most other video capable phones have a version of it. Qik allows, among...
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Meh. Screw AT&T. I picked up a free 3GS here and couldn't be happier with it
http://www.computersncs.com/rd_p?p=1912712&t=9544&gift=29670&a=29670-tuaw
I know that there are some other apps out there that will be allowing watching video streams in the future besides the MLB one (NIN Access comes to mind). Get it together ATT.
LOL, one word, JAILBREAK! Spend two minutes jail breaking your phone and open up a whole new realm!
RT
www.online-anonymity.net.tc
@ljbad4life:
The ONLY reason Windows Mobile is NOT blocked is there is NOT one app store and no way to block its use on AT&T or Verizon. Verizon has successfully BLOCKED this stuff on BB by using an older OS without any sanctioned upgrades!
Apple and AT&T needs to be spanked for blocking and neutering apps, but Verizon is just as bad. Jailbreak your iPhone and do what you want!
IF and when Verizon gets the iPhone they will be just as restrictive, because they can. They do not deserve a pass, as they have not earned it, look at their history!
for verizon bb, all you have to do is upgrade your os to one that is similiar. I have sprint bb 8830 and I use my sling player. just load up the closest os and you are good to go. keep the series as close as possible. 4.5 is supported. Sling will "recommend" a certain bb, but it still works. if something goes wrong sling will of course say that its not a supported device. try out the demo and see what happens.
for ATT there is no option to upgrade to a similar os for the iphone or any work around. Sprint does have streaming live tv (it kind of sucks but hey). Anything that comes close to using bandwidth att shoots it down. I am actually surprised that pandora is even in the app store!
3gs is hspa which should surely be capable of streaming audio and low grade video. it obviously points to att as the weak spot. Apple should start a new slogan "want to stream media? there isn't an app for that"
You obviously...OBVIOUSLY have no idea what you are talking about. Research this.
-K
@ci.id.09
Hate to disagree, BUT Verizon Blackberries do NOT have SlingPlayer (I have a Verizon BB and Slingbox). This is from the Sling website:
Recommended BlackBerry smartphones
BlackBerry Bold from AT&T
BlackBerry Curve 8900 from T-Mobile*
BlackBerry 8820 from AT&T*
BlackBerry Curve 8320 from AT&T*
BlackBerry Curve 8320 from T-Mobile*
BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 from T-Mobile*
BlackBerry Pearl 8120 from AT&T*
BlackBerry Curve 8350i from Sprint Nextel*
* Supported by SlingPlayer Mobile when used with Wi-Fi connection.
Notice NO Verizon Blackberries! SlingPlayer Mobile for BB requires 4.5 BB OS which is NOT run on Verizon. Since there is no WiFi yet on ANY Verizon BB this also limits the device. Notice the Storm does not even have WiFi or SlingPlayer.
if you check wm phones they are supported for streaming over 3g on most carriers (except tmobile)
at this point either att puts their money where their mouth is, or let people out of their contracts. They claim they have the fastest/ most reliable 3g network. It's time to prove the validity of their claims. If ATT can't provide reliable/fast service for their data network.
> If I could, I would require Apple and AT&T execs to take a look at the famous Apple 1984 commercial and decide if they are the one throwing the hammer, or if they are on the screen.
There it is. I knew if I read through I'd hit the nugget of agonized pandering hyperbole. This is getting so old. The App Store is managed, get over it.
Could always pick up an Android phone and not have to worry about these issues. Then again, no to many people like un-DRM, free from use controls, and openness in their phones. *snicker*
August 16 2009 at 11:55 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI don't know why people are always asking why they can't do streaming on the AT&T network. I can't believe there are still people that don't realize the AT&T network is on the verge of collapse from lack of bandwidth. The iPhone uses more bandwidth than probably any smartphone and within the last three years AT&T has added more subscribers than any other network. In a large city, there is almost no way they can add enough bandwidth to keep up. They can't arbitrarily offer streaming to smaller cities where there is enough bandwidth because then there'd be more griping about why some cities are getting it and others aren't.
Yet users continually ask why they're not allowed to do unlimited streaming over 3G on their iPhones. They truly want to crash the network and if it goes down they'll be even less satisfied when they can't even make simple telephone calls. But other people can do it! Then get whatever network or handset they're using and enjoy your life. Griping about AT&T and Apple not supporting this and that isn't going to make it happen when it comes to limited bandwidth. It just isn't feasible to do with the present technology and that's why 4G is being rushed out.
AT&T isn't about to freeze subscriber growth in large cities, so the network will never catch up to the number of users. That's it. End of story.
but yet, for years before, and in the years since, all of att's other 3g phones use all of these streaming services....includng tv.
Yes, it is ALL ATT. EVIL ATT IS CONTROLLING *Apple's* store via their Secret Volcano Evil Lair deep in the Texas desert.
Laughable. It is Apple. All Apple. Only Apple. And it will continue.
Corporations are not evil for the sake of being evil, they make decisions based on maximizing profits for the stockholders and increasing bonuses for their executives. If you don't like AT&T or who ever, then sign up for a free cell phone with a two year contract and buy an iPod Touch.
August 16 2009 at 8:55 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply[quote] If you don't like AT&T or who ever, then sign up for a free cell phone with a two year contract and buy an iPod Touch.[quote]
Here's another approach that might be a tad better. Most of the cellular carriers offer a device similar to Verizon's MiFi. It's a 3G box that enables WiFi for up to five (5) devices. That, plus an iPod touch with the free Skype app could handle most of your telephony needs and might be more cost-effective for many people.
No doubt we'll be seeing 4G versions soon and that's where it will really pay off.
If all of these app store rejections really are based on AT&T objections, why in the name of God are those of us who aren't on AT&T (i.e. the majority of iPhone users, surely) being punished, too?
I am absolutely sick to death of having to listen to the same excuse being wheeled out every single time - it's not our fault, it's AT&T! If Apple wanted the features on the phone, they'd put them there/allow them through.
My only hope is that the phone carriers are the block here. I think the iPhone has a good enough reputation for Apple to stop tying it to carriers and let people choose. I'd bet £100 that most carriers around the world would pull their fingers out on offering reasonable tariffs if they knew people with an iPhone could feasibly change their network.
/rant
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