An iPhone version of SlingPlayer, a popular TV streaming service, will be appearing in the App Store on Wednesday morning, according to a Sling spokesman. A previous rumor that Apple would reject the application appears to have been true, as Sling crippled the app at Apple's request in order to gain approval.
When Sling originally submitted its SlingPlayer app, the software had the ability to stream video over the iPhone's 3G, EDGE and Wi-Fi connections. However, Apple required Sling to modify the app to work with Wi-Fi only, according to Sling.
"We took this approach at Apple's request," Sling spokesman Jay Tannenbaum told Wired.com. "Our goal was to offer them most features and the best user experiences, and we think the Wi-Fi only app is fantastic. But we believe, we originally submitted it on 3G and it really delivers on our 'Any time, any place' promise. We'll continue to work with Apple and its partners to come up with something that's going to work [for everyone]."
In the previous rumor report about SlingPlayer for iPhone, an anonymous tipster said Apple was denying SlingPlayer to appease to AT&T because the application would overload AT&T's 3G network. Wired.com predicted correctly that rather than reject the app, Apple would ask Sling to make the SlingPlayer app Wi-Fi only.
AT&T told Wired.com that a 3G-capable SlingPlayer for iPhone would violate AT&T's terms of service. An AT&T spokesman explained that a 3G-capable SlingPlayer could potentially strain AT&T's 3g network.
"Slingbox, which would use large amounts of wireless network capacity, could create congestion and potentially prevent other customers from using the network," an AT&T spokesman said. "The application does not run on our 3G wireless network. Applications like this, which redirects 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."
AT&T's terms of service states the following:
"That said, we don’t restrict users from going to a web site that lets them view videos," the spokesman added. "But what our terms and conditions prohibit is the transferring, or slinging, of a TV signal to their personal computer or smartphone."
Apple did not respond to a request for comment.
The SlingPlayer mobile app will enable iPhone users to stream video from a Slingbox device hooked up to a TV. Apple's requirement to make the app Wi-Fi only raises a brow, as other AT&T handsets, such as the BlackBerry Bold, support a 3G-capable SlingPlayer app.
The SlingPlayer app will be available for $30 in the App Store between midnight and 6 a.m. ET Wednesday, according to Sling.
Updated 4:10 p.m. PDT with a statement from AT&T.
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