June 19, 2008 1:51 AM

Yeah, I can't imagine any reason why Apple would block Sling. Equally, I can't imagine any reason why Apple would do anything to encourage Sling. I think Sling is in the exact same boat as hundreds - if not thousands - of other developers, sitting in the pipeline waiting to be accepted into the dev program.

June 19, 2008 2:23 AM

Dogzilla said:

MegaZone said: (I also run GizmoLovers.com).

Dude - Blue, yellow and green on a black background? Really? I'd love to read the blog, but I clicked away about 2 seconds after hitting the site to protect my vision. ooof.

Conversely the color scheme here (red and black on white) makes my eyes bug out after just a little while, but I can read green on black day and night without eye strain.  Which is why I use those colors. ;-)  I also set my SSH terminals that way, have my LJ set that way, etc.  Pretty much any time I can select a dark background with light text, espexially green on black, I do.

But if you'd stuck around a few more seconds you might've noticed the Style Selector up toward the upper-right corner, which lets you change the colors. ;-) 

-MegaZone, Sling Media Beta Manager
Slingbox Pro, HD Connect, TiVo Series3, TiVo Pioneer DVR-810H, SPM Treo 680, SP WinXP
(I also run GizmoLovers.com)

June 24, 2008 1:57 PM

Dave Zatz said: "Apple is more or less neutral in all of this" I don't know that.

Dave is correct, I don't beleive Sling will ever get approval to run sling on the iphone. I would love to see it but right in this article on Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/19/switched-on-the-iphones-ifunnel/ Applie is quoted as to have said that "would not allow any application that will hog bandwidth or device resources".  Unforunately, I think Sling would qualify for both.

I hate windows mobile and can only hope that improve it because I think this is the platform that I am stuck using sling player on.

June 25, 2008 2:35 PM

not sure about the bandwidth issue - guess we'll see....HOWEVER...I use my slingbox over wifi ALL THE TIME on my windows mobile device. I hope for the iphone the worst case scenario would be that it was restricted to wifi only....a bit of a bummer but in no way would it prevent me from buying it.

If it was prevented from using 3g would slingmedia be prepared to release a wifi only version ? ? can anyone from sling confirm ?.....i'll give you my hard earned dollers (or british pounds as it happens) !!! (if slingbox and tomtom becomes available for the iphone 3g then I am officially ditching my windows mobile device!)

thanks and looking forward to it ! fingers crossed

June 29, 2008 1:29 PM

MegaZone said: All I can say is that at this time our intention is to release an unrestricted (3G & WiFi) SlingPlayer Mobile client for the iPhone. If, for some reason, we are unable to do so then we'll re-evaluate our options at that time.

Excellent...that's great news...

 So then, once you are granted a developers access to the app store etc....how long before the software will be ready....i.e. are you ready to release or is there quite a bit of work to get it finished? as i said - you're one of the pre-requestites for me getting an iphone so am keen to know how long i'll have to wait :)

 thanks

 Matt

June 30, 2008 9:04 PM

Well, I'm not sure what the prognosis for slinging over Edge would be. I think it has to do with what the cellular carriers want more than anything else - the iPhone already consumes far more network resources than any other smartphone in AT&T's portfolio, and while I don't for a second buy the argument of scarcity of bandwidth, it doesn't really matter because it's AT&T's network.

However, there's absolutely no reason why an iPhone Slingplayer wouldn't be compelling even if restricted to WiFi. There's a precedent for this in the iTunes Store only running on WiFi.

Also, I think it's maybe a bit premature to start looking for anti-Sling conspiracies on Apple's part. I can see why Apple wouldn't be all that excited to highlight Sling as an iPhone product, since Mac support has been lukewarm or an afterthought for Sling. From Apple's viewpoint, it would be silly to highlight a company on their stage who then - for one reason or another - doesn't deliver the expected product (Halo anyone?).

As for the delays in developer acceptance, there's no reason to think Sling has been singled out or even noticed by Apple. Apple's being really careful about who they bring into the beta development program, ensuring they get a wide range of developers so they deliver a great experience for end users. I can understand - have you ever bought software for Windows Mobile phones?

So I'm sure it'll all shake out soon.

July 8, 2008 7:13 PM

I am not worried about the bandwidth issue. I have a Nokia 6120 (Symbian OS) and have an unlimited data plan with AT&T. I have racked up hundreds of megabytes of data a month with the Slingplayer Mobile and AT&T has never said a word to me.

My concern is more about the 3G. My phone is 3G and 3.5G and I am supposed to be in a 3G zone in Boston, but I rarely do get a 3G signal here. Traveling is hit or miss. I still get people amazed I am watching TV on my phone!

July 9, 2008 5:02 PM

DanCave said:

From a UK iPhone user/Slingbox wannabe.

(Hi from across the pond... ;)

imho apple are possibly missing a trick here, if i were Mr Jobs (and currently a 2 mac household +iPhone) I would be keen to promote the the slingplayer client, since you can use wifi anyhow.

I really don't think Apple is picking and choosing from amongst developers based on their products. As someone else has said on this board, I believe Apple is completely neutral in this decision. But if they were/are not, keep in mind that Apple has literally thousands of compelling apps and developers to choose from. Sling is just one of among many. And also note that Sling hasn't exactly been huge on Mac support in the past - it took them a *long* time to come out with a Mac client, and even now the Mac client lags in terms of features.

Given a limited number of slots, I'm not sure it's in Apple's best interest to allocate one to a company that has shown limited enthusiasm for Apple products and a spotty track record with development ability. Not to mention a demonstrated willingness to cripple products to satisfy Big Media. Much as I would like to have an iPhone SlingPlayer, were I making the choice, I can't say I would make an effort to fast-track SlingMedia when there are so many other compelling iPhone products from developers who have a proven track record of actually executing and delivering.

July 10, 2008 4:25 AM

karpodiem said:

GaryneedsSling said:

Dave Zatz said: "Apple is more or less neutral in all of this" I don't know that.

Dave is correct, I don't beleive Sling will ever get approval to run sling on the iphone. I would love to see it but right in this article on Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/19/switched-on-the-iphones-ifunnel/ Applie is quoted as to have said that "would not allow any application that will hog bandwidth or device resources".  Unforunately, I think Sling would qualify for both. I hate windows mobile and can only hope that improve it because I think this is the platform that I am stuck using sling player on.

 Precisely. It's about the bandwidth - at&t would be pissed to have an application that uses as much bandwidth as this would on their HSPDA network without making any return. They won't allow it, and will pass the word along to Apple.   The only way we will ever see a Sling client on an iPhone/iPod touch is if it's Wifi only. Which I can live with, I guess. I see the economics behind this and it doesn't line up with an entity as greedy as at&t.

They already do allow it. I have been using my Sling on my Blackjack for nearly 2 years now and they are aware of it. Shouldn't be a problem here either