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Engadget: AT&T issues official statement on SlingPlayer's 3G blackout for iPhone
Categories: News, Rumors and Gossip iPhone / iPod Touch Mobile Phones / Portable Devices
One can only imagine the intense outpouring of hatred AT&T must have received from customers immediately following the announcement that the iPhone SlingPlayer will be not be able to stream video using AT&T's data network. While it hasn't exactly been declared by anyone that AT&T is to blame for the apparent lack of 3G support, they are the only one with something to gain by a Wi-Fi only SlingPlayer. It doesn't take much to come to this conclusion.
Our friends at Engadget have managed to squeeze a statement out of AT&T regarding the 3G blackout:
"Slingbox, which would use large amounts of wireless network capacity, could create congestion and potentially prevent other customers from using the network. The application does not run on our 3G wireless network. Applications like this, which redirect a TV signal to a personal computer, are specifically prohibited under our terms of service. We consider smartphones like the iPhone to be personal computers in that they have the same hardware and software attributes as PCs.
That said, we don't restrict users from going to a Web site that lets them view videos. But what our terms and conditions prohibit is the transferring, or slinging, of a TV signal to their personal computer or smartphone.
The Slingbox application for the iPhone runs on WiFi. That's good news for AT&T's iPhone 3G customers, who get free WiFi access at our 20,000 owned and operated hot spots in the U.S., including Starbucks, McDonalds, Barnes & Noble, hotels, and airports. AT&T is the industry leader in WiFi."
We're not surprised AT&T went straight to their Terms of Service as defense. We were highly suspect when they initially changed their lingo to outright ban placeshifting from their network. Sure, they "retracted it," but then added back a more generic version of their placeshifting restriction that (we thought) seemed intentionally vague. The reality: a lawyer told them a 'personal computer' could be interpreted as any mobile device with computing functions (that's all of them by the way). Why look bad by saying placeshifting is outright banned when you can look less bad by tossing out a BS generic line that's open to interpretation? Better yet, without clarity in their definition, they can enforce it with zero consistency.
We highly recommend reading Engadget's comments on the statement as well, which we're also inclined to agree with.
What do you think of AT&T's statement? Post your comments below.
Read More In: News, Rumors and Gossip iPhone / iPod Touch Mobile Phones / Portable Devices
May 12, 2009 9:04 PM
I won't be purchasing the App now since AT&T has reduced it to a novelty. Now it's overpriced by a factor of 10
May 12, 2009 9:09 PM
I loved the semi intentionally typo wrt to AT&T position on "placeshiting"
The irony i find about this positioning from AT&T is whether or not they would "imposed" a similar restriction on ESPN based on their last demo for the iphone 3.0 capabilities that they intend to use.for streaming sports content - doubly ironic as I would have thought Sling would have been ideally positioned to license its bandwidth optimisation technology for use with other business models for delivering streaming video as per ESPNs use case.
Its almost like AT&T have forgotten how widely popular you-tubing is on the iphone.
Keep on it Sling - place shifting is an AT&T cop out to protect future AT&T offerings - While Im about to get AT&T U-verse hooked up to my apartment, Im loving how well Dish Network works with my Slingbox.
A more mature approach may have been to lay down a band width restriction via 3G or a maximum single session time so i could at least remote control my DVR to record something.
AT&T Users want place shifting - we will do it with or without you!!!
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May 12, 2009 9:09 PM
I can see where AT&T is stuck between a rock and a hard place. If they think that Slingers will causes a problem for other users then they have to restrict it. They can't have the few Slingers causing a problem for the masses.
Its a problem where their technology can't keep up with what some apps can do.
But instead of just saying "no" they need to figure out a way to put limits on their service that stops the bandwidth hogs from causing a problem with their normal users.
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May 12, 2009 9:11 PM
Now I see why I didn't run out and buy the iPhone. It really makes the great technology of slinging video cheap and like Joe V.has stated "a novelty." Now I will wait and see how Sling Media reacts and when Blackberry Storm software will be available.
May 12, 2009 9:53 PM
Explain to me why Blackberry/WinMo users can run Sling on AT&T 3G network. Better yet, explain to me why ORB's iPhone app is allowed to run on AT&T 3G. Time to flood AT&T with these questions!
May 13, 2009 12:15 AM
updated: May 13, 2009 12:49 AM
ATT wanted iPhone exclusivity. They knew it was a device that would sell well and give them significant market share. Absolute genius on ATT's part. Now they are a victim of their own success as they cannot handle the bandwidth requirements.
ATT what were you thinking? Were your bandwidth estimates that far off ?
Now you have gone back to Apple wanting an extension on exclusivity, on a network that cannot handle the demands of the device. I hope Apple is seriously considering NOT renewing their exclusivity contract with your organization and let good old fashion capitalization take care of your bandwidth issues. I'll move my 4 accounts to another carrier if they give me the service I demand. Don't cripple the iPhone or its apps......
BTW Sling - Nice job on the app.
May 13, 2009 9:25 AM
Interesting. I was running my Sling through my AT&T Tilt phone for the past 2 years with no restriction. Now they decide to dis-allow it on iPhones? It still runs on a Blackberry. What's up with the double standard?
May 13, 2009 9:28 AM
I don't get it. For the past 2 years I was running my Slling through my AT&T Tilt phone and my friends are using their AT&T BlackBerry's to do the same. Why the double standard. What do they have against the iPhone? This pisses me off especially since we pay extra for unlimited data transfer...
May 13, 2009 11:10 AM
This is rediculous. I had it streaming on my Blackjack II for years. I went to the Iphone for the better screen resolution imagining how great it would be to stream tv on it. What is the bandwidth difference if its being used on Windows Mobile, Blackberry or IPhone. This is BS. There is no reason to spend the 30 bucks on the app if I can only use it indoors.
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May 13, 2009 11:53 AM
GrantL said: I loved the semi intentionally typo wrt to AT&T position on "placeshiting"
It was intentional (I actually didn't think anyone would notice), but I've had to change it back. I got a complaint. Even I get caught breaking the rules from time to time. ;-)
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May 13, 2009 12:03 PM
I am in fact streaming to my HTC 8525 at this very moment. I'm getting a great 3g signal and my Slingbox is streaming the data to me at about 1952kbps right now.
AT&T are a bunch of opportunistic liars. This is a double standard no matter how you look at it.
May 13, 2009 5:54 PM
**** you AT&T! How come you are letting my blackberry bold to run slingplayer using the 3g but not the iphone...
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