[sayam]

We already know that AT&T prevented Apple from approving SlingPlayer before and was the main culprit in restricting it to Wi-Fi ONLY. Their recent statement proclaims the restrictions to be a modest way to prevent the network from collapsing. Well, most people trust them because of obvious reasons, but it seems to be the incomplete truth!

As per a tipster, AT&T's been working on it's OWN application named "i-verse" that performs similar task as SlingPlayer.

This app works with their U-verse TV solution (like slingbox) and loads the "DVRed" shows onto your iPhone at home or stream them over internet on 3G network! The app has already been demoed privately last year and since then, AT&T's into developing it.

Currently SlingPlayer is the #9 app on the US AppStore even though it is Wi-Fi only, imagine what wonders would a 3G version do! Of course there are alternatives for people with a jailbroken iPhone but what about those unwilling to do it? If true, this is a cheap move by AT&T which is abusing its power and should be restricted. Hope Apple hears us next time, instead of AT&T..

[Gizmodo]

[plcrules]

wow thats messed up

[bdwayneh]

That is crazy but sounds just like a bunch of corporate ***** holes taking advantage of there power.

[StealthBravo]

AT&T at its finest

[jiggajuggawugga]

...low blow

[CZroe]

Man, I *SO* called this when I said that they could be preparing a form of mobile U-verse IPTV and SlingPlayer would basically allow competing cable services on the phone. No, I wasn't part of the private demo.

Originally Posted by CZroe

...I smell some kind of "AT&T U-Verse Mobile" app in the future. That's a great way to sell your TV service to those that don't live in wired U-Verse areas. From their perspective, it's also a great reason to pull every string they can to block or delay SlingPlayer. ...

[disturbedreaper]

this seems like something apple would do att must be taking private lessons from apple for some conspiracy lol

[reeko]

Why is the app crippled worldwide? Not every iphone carrier is looking to provide some sort of tv subscription surely?

[sayam]

Originally Posted by reeko

Why is the app crippled worldwide? Not every iphone carrier is looking to provide some sort of tv subscription surely?

maybe just to prove the statement they gave...

[reeko]

So because AT&T have plans for their own TV service this app gets crippled worldwide? So i cannot stream legitimately over 3G in Australia because in the USA AT&T are planning on their own TV service....?

It has got to be more to do with the lousy 3G networks than AT&T. I dont believe AT&T could affect this app worldwide?...

If Apple has bowed to AT&T and crippled the app worldwide then shame on Apple, but that would be very out of character for them. They like to do the controlling - not get controlled.

[Mes]

Originally Posted by reeko

Why is the app crippled worldwide?...

Black(or grey)-market

[Cokeman]

Well Apple couldn't very well allow the app to run over 3g for all countries but the US. Then we would know for sure that AT&T is just bullying the consumer to use their app.
Now if this is true how is it any different than Intel's alleged anti-competitive practice costing them 1.45 billion.
They are investigating Google & Apple maybe they need to check into AT&T as well. Find them guilty & force them to put LTE coverage everywhere they have coverage now.

[eleazar123]

I'd actually be ok with this since I don't own a slingplayer, but I do have U-Verse TV. :P

[mushromking]

Every one boycott the iverse app upon release

[M4tt Dam0n]

DUH! I've said it since the beginning. That overload network **** is bull. Of course the network can handle it.