AT&T finally approves a 3G-compatible version of SlingPlayer Mobile for the iPhone
Ten months after we broke the news on the WiFi-only SlingPlayer Mobile for the iPhone, it looks like AT&T and Sling have finally come to terms on a 3G version of the video streaming product. During these intervening months, SlingMedia has developed a 3G optimized version (read: it won’t kill AT&T’s network) of SlingPlayer Mobile that AT&T has been testing since mid-December. Sling’s well-written code coupled with AT&T loosening grip on the application requirements for its 3G network has lead to success as AT&T announced today that it has given the rubber stamp of approval to Sling’s 3G mobile app. No word on when this 3G version will hit the App store but we are reaching out to Sling to see if we can get a ballpark date. We’ve been using a 3G-enabled SlingPlayer iPhone application for a while, and we’re not sure how we’d live without it, so this is really, really, exciting. Hit the jump for the full press release.
AT&T and Sling Media Collaborate on SlingPlayer Mobile app for 3G Mobile Broadband Network
SlingPlayer Mobile app optimized to conserve wireless spectrum
DALLAS, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — AT&T* today announced that its 3G mobile broadband network will support Sling Media, Inc.’s SlingPlayer Mobile™ app.
Sling Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS), originally developed its wireless app to make efficient use of 3G network bandwidth – and to conserve the finite wireless spectrum available to the wireless industry. Since mid December 2009, AT&T has been testing the app and has recently notified Sling Media — as well as Apple – that the optimized app can run on its 3G network. The SlingPlayer Mobile app already is available for use today on AT&T’s Wi-Fi network, the nation’s largest with more than 20,000 hotspots.
“Just as we’ve worked with Sling Media in this instance, we look forward to collaborating with other developers so that mobile customers can access a wider, more bandwidth-sensitive, and powerful range of applications in the future,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “Collaboration with developers like Sling Media ensures that all apps are optimized for our 3G network to conserve wireless spectrum and reduce the risk that an app will cause such extreme levels of congestion that they disrupt the experience of other wireless customers. Our focus continues to be on delivering the nation’s most advanced mobile broadband experience and giving our customers the widest possible array of mobile applications.”
“We’re delighted with AT&T’s decision to approve the SlingPlayer Mobile app on their 3G network,” said John Gilmore, senior vice president and general manager at Sling Media. “SlingPlayer Mobile on AT&T’s 3G network gives customers the best experience possible for watching their home TV while on the go.”
AT&T will provide developers with wireless network optimization requirements for video and other applications by the end of the first quarter via its AT&T Developers Program website (http://developer.att.com).
AT&T’s announcement today further demonstrates its commitment to fostering the development of a wide range of mobile applications for smartphones, quick-messaging devices and other mobile devices. In January, AT&T hosted its fourth annual Developers Summit, where it announced a range of initiatives to support app development.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
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you need a life!
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Something tells me Apple leaned on these guys pretty hard to make this available not for the iPhone but for the iPad. This type of functionality is perfect for a device like that.
I highly doubt that.
What more than likely happened is that at&t wanted to shore up it’s network to handle that and other data intensive apps and devices (think ipad). At&t has been very busy upgrading most of their cell sites back haul with fiber.
i thought during that whole FCC investigation into Google Voice that ATT said they had nothing to do with the approval process ?? what gives, is this an admittion of guilt ?? now that they think their 3G network can handle it why not open up Google Voice ?
If I recall it was about VoIP specifically. Apple probably gets a cut of total iPhone revenue. If users start going on lower voice plans, there goes some of their revenue.
Stop lying. Apple gets no such cut.
Droid doesn’t do Sling
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more like sling doesn’t do droid….yet
Sling is probably worried about security for an Android version.
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actually you are probably right
AT&T had nothing to do with approving anything. I’ve been using sling for 5 years on my phone on AT&T !!!!
Anyone think this has the ipad in mind?
http://bit.ly/9lnOPg
3G optimized app.. cool!
Not to say anything bad about Firefox, because that’s what I used to use and it’s a great browser! Internet explorer is by far the best!! God I’m so confused??
What? Whats this!?! No At&t haters complaining about poor 3G speeds slowing down their slingplayer while trying to watch old episodes of The Facts of Life starring everybody’s favorite character Ms. Garrett??
Oh this is quite nice.
Yeah, where’s all the verizon droid fanboys now??? Slobberingfools! People dont realize that AT&T has had sling and video messaging for many years. Things like this would bring verizons network to a screaching halt!!
It’s about time AT&T did the right thing for us. This really changes the entire landscape of an iPhone now being able to be used as a mobile tv. I wonder how companies like flo tv will continue to exist when their target market is the same iPhone owner who can just buy a slingbox and call it a day.
If you’re monitoring this board AT&T thank you for finally giving us slingbox over 3G. It’s about time.