Sling Media has released SlingPlayer Mobile for the iPad, allowing users to watch content streaming from their cable service provider, DVR or TiVo device anywhere they are. Users of the popular SlingBox can purchase the app in the App Store for $29.99.

SlingPlayer was initially released for iOS back in January, but was tied to the iPhone and iPod Touch. This isn't a universal binary either but a whole new app so yes, if you already have it for iPhone you do have to buy it again for iPad.

Let us know if you think the big 9.7-inch iPad screen makes it worth the money, and if it does, how the app is working for you in the comments below!

[iTunes]

Slingplayer Mobile [$29.99 - iTunes link] for iPhone has just hit version 1.2 and the single-line update says it all -- 3G streaming enabled.

And it seems to be in App Stores outside the US and beyond AT&T. (If it's not in your App Store, let us know.)

It was a long time and a lot of controversy coming, but it's here, so go get it and let us know how it's working for you!

[Thanks to Scott for the head's up!]

Chris Foresman over at Ars Technica spoke with Sling Media regarding AT&T's recent announcement that they'd now allow SlingPlayer to work over 3G, and general manager John Gilmore had this to say:

"We actually have been working very intensively with AT&T to get the 3G streaming approved," Gilmore told Ars. "Over the course of the last couple of months, they have been testing the app in their labs."

Gilmore said that AT&T was able to determine that SlingPlayer Mobile wouldn't significantly impact network performance after extensive testing. "We always felt comfortable that that wasn't the case," he told Ars. "As we built our relationship with AT&T, we were able to prove to them that our app wouldn't cause a negative customer impact. We always felt that our app was a 'good network citizen.'"

Gilmore further said Sling didn't change any code for AT&T but that they have, and will continue to improve it.

Huzzah!

AT&T has announced that it's granting an optimized version of SlingPlayer Mobile [$29.99 - iTunes link] permission to send TV over their 3G network, something that up until now has been expressly banned under AT&T terms of service.

"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."

The updated SlingPlayer Mobile will be a free update for existing users, and ends a long, winding story of controversy and constraint for US iPhone users. Whether international carriers follow AT&T's lead and allow the app to operate on their networks as well, of course, remains to be seen.

(And how ironic we post this right after the US government expresses concerns about network congestion...!)

[MarketWatch via NYT Bits via Engadget -- Thanks Pat C for the tip!]

What does AT&T's announcement today, regarding a change of policy to allow VoIP applications like Skype to operate over the 3G network mean for Google Voice in the App Store and SlingPlayer over 3G?

Nothing.

Not to rain on our many commenters and emailers parades, but AT&T's VoIP policy has nothing to do with either of those apps because:

1. Google Voice was rejected/is still under review by Apple, not by AT&T. All parties have clearly stated AT&T has played and is playing absolutely no role in keeping Google Voice out of the App Store. That ball is still firmly in Apple's court, and it will take movement from them, and them alone, to bring it to the App Store when -- and if -- they decide to pull the trigger.

2. SlingPlayer sends your home TV video over 3G, and clearly has nothing to do with VoIP. AT&T has a distinct and separate policy forbidding the use of apps like SlingPlayer on their 3G network. Unless and until AT&T changes that second, specific policy as well, no SlingPlayer over 3G for you. (And seriously, given AT&T is dropping 30% of calls in NYC as well, does anyone think their network could survive even more traffic at this point?)

So there you go. You're getting VoIP from AT&T and Apple, no more, no less. Scratch that off the list, and if they've given an inch, and you hunger for a mile, keep the armor on and re-focus your battle on the next two (or more) targets.

SlingPlayer Mobile [$29.99 - iTunes Store] brings a few news features to everyone's favorite video transporter:

• 16x9 widescreen for SOLO, PRO, and PRO-HD users
• Remote access integration for DISH users
• Faster start time and channel changes
• Improved remote control UI

Thanks to AT&T's targeted terms of service, however, which specifically forbids SlingPlayer over 3G, you're still constrained to Wi-Fi (as is everyone on every other network outside AT&T, though Sling has apparently submitted a 3G version for App Stores outside the US -- no word on it from Apple yet, however).

If you give the update a go, let us know how it works for you.

[Thanks Robert for the tip!]

The much-discussed SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone application is once again back in the news again. The Boy Genius is reporting Sling Media has submitted a fairly significant SlingPlayer update to Apple. Version 1.1 will Include the following:

• True 16×9 wide-screen support
• Improved remote control interface
• Faster speeds all around including channel changing, initial connection, and remote control response

Sling Media also let BGR know that a completely separate application has been submitted for outside of the USA that contains all of the above along with 3G support. Your guess is as good as ours as to whether or not Apple will let this update into the App Store. Without AT&T pulling Apple's strings it is a possibility everyone outside of the good old USA will enjoy 3G Sling streaming.

So what do you think, will the 3G version make it through to any non-AT&T customers?

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UPDATE: As of right now, SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone is ranked #9 on the Top Paid Apps list on iTunes. A $29.99 app. Imagine if it had 3G?

ORIGINAL: Gizmodo has a source claiming that while AT&T may have legitimate concerns about their networks ability to handle millions of iPhone users trying to stream long-form video over 3G, they also may have far more self-serving, and perhaps anti-competitive reasons to block SlingPlayer's access:

AT&T's working on their OWN application code-named i-Verse, one that performs a similar task as SlingPlayer Mobile. AT&T's "i-Verse" app works with their U-Verse TV solution that can either load DVR'ed shows from your U-Verse recorder into your iPhone at home, or stream shows across the net over their 3G network.

Which makes little sense to us as not everyone has or wants, or even lives in an area where they can get U-verse. Never mind people in countries where AT&T doesn't exist. (Though, again, we suspect international carriers are in agreement with this type of arrangement, may have their own services in the pipe, and are gleeful that AT&T takes the heat).

As opposed to SlingBox, of course, which anyone can buy and drop into their setup regardless of service.

The whole situation make us think that maybe Jeremy was on to something when he wondered out loud about AT&T exerting too much control over the App Store...

Looks like our friend Phil over at WMExperts was right all along, Engadget has the scoop, and it's pretty much what we expected. AT&T thinks their 3G network is just too fragile to handle the iPhone running SlingPlayer:

"Slingbox, which would use large amounts of wireless network capacity, could create congestion and potentially prevent other customers from using the network. The application does not run on our 3G wireless network. Applications like this, which redirect 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.

Check out the Engagdet link above for the full statement, which includes the hollow flattery of their considering the iPhone less a smartphone and more a computer...

What about Windows Mobile running SlingPlayer, you may ask? Why is that okay? They think it might be too difficult to police hundreds of individuals side-loading the application, whereas the App Store -- controlled totally by Apple -- is only a one phone call ban away.

However, the iPhone is also an unprecedented consumer success with millions of users on AT&T, using never-before-seen levels of mobile data, and proven track record for taking down AT&T's -- again fragile -- network.

Fear is seldom rationale. We're guessing AT&T is banning first, asking questions later. It's much easier to take the heat for preventing it now, then allowing it, seeing Sling adoption rise, network traffic suffer, and taking even more heat for removing it later (or -- gasp! -- having to build out their network reliability faster).

What's your take?

UPDATE: Now up in US, Canadian, and presumably other App Stores. Same link as below!

(thanks Steve and Rebo for the tip!)

ORIGINAL: In the UK! Presumably other regional App Stores will come on line as the night wears on. If you're happy with a Wi-Fi only version, go get it!

SlingPlayer Mobile ($29.00/£17.99 - iTunes Link)

(via AndyMesa)

MacRumors may just -- finally -- have the scoop on the long anticipated, almost as long delayed SlingPlayer for iPhone:

In addition to full support of current Slingboxes (PRO-HD and SOLO), legacy Slingboxes, which include the Classic, AV, and TUNER, will work with the application but will not be officially supported. However, the application will supposedly be limited to streaming only over Wi-Fi connections. Previous demonstrations of the application by Sling Media had promised EDGE and 3G support, however it appears as though this will not be the case.

Maybe those rumors about AT&T not being keen on all that streaming video traffic hitting their network were true? Price is rumored to be $29.99.

So, SlingBox owners, is this the SlingPlayer for iPhone you wanted? Good, great, wait?

For those who don't know, Slingbox is a TV streaming device that allows users full control of your TV set at home through the internet. It's basically a combination of technological prowess and fairy dust that enables this VERY sweet product to "just work". Meaning if you're a Dodgers Fan on a business trip in the East Coast, you can watch their games as if you were in your own living room. If you saved the season finale of Lost to your PVR, you can watch that too. 

Now that convenience is coming to your iPhone. Which is fitting since SlingPlayer Mobile has been available for WinMob, Palm, and Symbian for some time now and we all know none of those platforms offer a screen quite like the iPhone. Though it's still very, very early in development, Sling has a proof-of-concept version of SlingPlayer Mobile running on jailbroken iPhones.

SlingMedia will also be holding live demonstrations of SlingPlayer Mobile on the iPhone and iPod Touch for those attending WWDC. Their Product Manager Vicky Shum will be at the Starbucks at 120 4th Street, San Francisco (across from the Metreon) between 10am and 4pm Pacific Time on Monday, June 9th. The demo is open to everybody, so if you're in the bay area for WWDC feel free to check it out!

Thanks MegaZone for the tip and Rob for the heads up!