Katie Marsal
One of the first of many native third-party apps to show at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference will be an iPhone version of Sling Media's well-known remote TV viewing utility.
Much like versions for Windows Mobile and other smartphone operating systems, the software lets users pick from a channel guide when viewing TV and offers basic controls over live TV playback. The software requires a high-speed Internet connection currently supplied only through Wi-Fi.
Unlike some developers likely to be showcasing at the event, however, Sling's software won't be the result of participation in the iPhone SDK program: the company has had to operate outside the bounds of the development kit's beta testing phase. A demonstration slated to take place will use jailbroken iPhones rather than the official installation granted to those accepted into the early phases of Apple's official development program.
Sling has been one of the most enthusiastic third parties interested in the iPhone and planned development even before the initial iPhone was on sale and Apple had discussed its official strategy for third-party applications. The firm hopes to release a finished version by the end of the year.
The Slingbox maker plans to demonstrate SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone at the Starbucks across from San Francisco's Metreon at 10AM on June 9th — the same time as Apple's WWDC keynote.
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19 Comments
Anybody know what level of quality they get with this. Sounds like it is already out for other smartphones...but is it watchable?
The Slingbox maker plans to demonstrate SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone at the Starbucks across from San Francisco's Metreon at 10AM on June 9th -- the same time as Apple's WWDC keynote.
What is the logic behind that? It's like they wanted to make sure no one would show up.
What is the logic behind that? It's like they wanted to make sure no one would show up.
I suspect Apple was decidedly tepid in reciprocating their enthusiasm and didn't license them as part of the SDK program.
What is the logic behind that? It's like they wanted to make sure no one would show up.
That is a good question. Maybe there are second tier reporters who show up for the convention but can't get in to see The Keynote. If that were the case, I imagine they would love to have an "event" to go to while waiting for the other phases of the WWDC to open up... (just a wild guess--I have no real information about how this event plays out...)
Here is a video demo of this proof-of-concept:
I suspect Apple was decidedly tepid in reciprocating their enthusiasm and didn't license them as part of the SDK program.
I'm fairly certain they will be accepted, but they will be confined to WiFi streaming only. I'm sure the carrier contracts that are profit-sharing have stipulations on what types of apps can run on their network for that $20 flat rate. Though, there may be ways around it, just as there is a way to use the iPhone's iTunes Store over EDGE.
It's hard to say how Apple is choosing the first developers; perhaps Sling Media signed up later than most. If I were in charge, I'd want to showcase a limited number of professionally built apps—not necessarily for a price—that really showcased the power of OS X iPhone. Opening up to everyone from the get go would result in cluster of poorly designed apps looking for a "me first" position in a new App Store that would be unpleasant to navigate. Plus, doesn't Apple have to test and certify that each app is stable and doesn't violate the rules of the SDK?
I'm guessing Sling Media jumped on the bandwagon late in the game as I can't believe its taken them over 3 months to come up with that demo. They have a Mac app so it's not like they are new to OS X development. I would have expected that demo well within a month on the iPhone Simulator.