Sling pulls ultimate bad move in order to sell more hardware to iPhone owners

Cleve Nettles
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April 02, 2009
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We really thought we liked Sling.  Not anymore...They just became another greedy media company in one very poorly thought out move.  Sling is only allowing users of its more expensive products to use the upcoming iPhone client.  Slingbox, Slingbox AV, and Slingbox TUNER owners won't be able to use their Slingboxes on the iPhone or iPod touch.  They will need to buy some of the more recent hardware (with a $50 discount).  Poor form Sling, very poor form.  Image below.

via Engadget

 

Comments (22)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 02, 2009 - 6:24am

I was very much looking forward to using Slingbox on my iPhone, but unfortunately I only have a Slingbox AV. Big bummer. I will not upgrade out of principle.
http://www.woopid.com/

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 02, 2009 - 7:11am

Just get a tuner card for your computer (if you don't have one already) and use Orb. Does the exact same thing basically.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 02, 2009 - 7:58am

Not if you've got a MAC :( (Orb's PC only)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 02, 2009 - 7:21am

Well that really stinks. Kinda like how Apple didn't include MMS for first gen iPhones in their 3.0 update. I understand that all companies want to sell more hardware, but don't force me to do it strictly based on functionality. Especialy in this economy! Make some new hardware that is so sexy I have to drop down the cash for it.

Boooo Slingbox. Boo.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 02, 2009 - 7:38am

They also appear to be practicing false advertising on their website for non-"Pro" products. I just noticed that the SOLO boasts HD component input "for great picture quality on your laptop, desktop, or mobile device," when, in fact, the "Compare Slingboxes" page indicates that only the Pro model actually has the capability of streaming HD content. Oh, ye of little faith: ends up, you're right.

Mark (not verified) | April 02, 2009 - 7:43am

Sling is using proprietary M$ video format (WMV) for their video output. Every player installed only further promotes this standard.

Do not support Sling. They need to get on the standards-based bandwagon.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 02, 2009 - 7:57am

Does anyone know if they plan to charge for the iPhone app? I hope not, surely the fact you can only use it if you already have a Sling product means it should be free...

Didnt a bunch of Slings senior execs leave? its all about fleecing the customers now to pay back some VC's

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 02, 2009 - 8:02am

WTF? Do we have to buy from Sling.com to get this discount? I can get the boxes cheaper from Amazon.

pete-01 | April 02, 2009 - 8:06am

 i was fine with the original "dick move" headline.  its a rumor/news blog, not the paper of record.

Seth Weintraub | April 02, 2009 - 8:20am

sorry...I don't want any kids reading/using my potty mouth...at least in the headlines.  It is the ultimate dick move an dreally.  WTF!?

KD (not verified) | April 02, 2009 - 8:16am

I'm sorry but complaining about "proprietary" this or that on a "Apple" focused form is just funny as hell lol. Apple has done this same S@#T for years. Can we say mini Display Port? 24" Apple Cinema Display? Numerous other hardware that becomes UNsupported just a year or so after it's released.

Yes what sling is doing sucks but if your using Apple products... this is nothing new. Apple is the king of forcing people to buy proprietary adapters to make anything work. Headphones anyone? Opps did you need to use your 1st gen iPhone with another set of earphones... well sorry you need to buy a $29.99 adapter! Oh you want to use your Macbook from mid 2008 with the ACD that just released months later... OOOPS sorry you will need to buy a NEW COMPUTER to work with it.

Sling is learning from the best at doing this... Apple is King at pulling this BS.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 02, 2009 - 8:47am

Mini Displayport is to be included as part of the VESA standard. Undoubtably the standards body was excited about the improved, compact connector, and Apple was willing to share it for free.

See http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/01/apples-mini-displayport-to-be-...

Excitingly, the Apple 24" display you mentioned conforms to that standard.

Sling, on the other hand, totally sucks rocks.

Tom83 (not verified) | April 03, 2009 - 6:28am

You shouldn't complain about other companies moves if they just do what apple always does. I love the IPhone but it's the best example for this malpractice. The OS hasn't left the beat state since it's release. You can't even change the background.
We shouldn't complain about things like this if we buy apple product!

all the best,
Tom

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 02, 2009 - 8:19am

Before everyone hangs Sling - did any of you think that maybe the supported devices are the only ones that are capable of transcoding the video to a format that the iPhone supports?

You really don't want the Sling iPhone app to have to decode in software - it'd kill your battery. That is, if it could do it fast enough.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 02, 2009 - 8:24am

So will the "SOLO" work? I have the Solo!!?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 02, 2009 - 8:36am

ya, I guess I should read further down, it will work on my SOLO! So I'm good to go..

Taylorman (not verified) | April 02, 2009 - 10:21am

I have a Pro- so I'm good to go- but I do understand the frustration- although - I agree with a previous poster who pointed out that maybe only these newer Sling boxes have what it takes to work on the iphone.

nethawk7 (not verified) | April 02, 2009 - 11:03am

Everything has changed with them in a negative way as soon as they were purchased by Dish Network within the last year. Tech support used to be free. Now they won't talk to you without a CC number.

bluedragon | April 02, 2009 - 1:03pm

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9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 02, 2009 - 3:02pm

Amen.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 03, 2009 - 11:32am

D*mn straight dawg!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 08, 2009 - 10:24am

Just get a tuner card for your computer (if you don't have one already) and use Orb. Does the exact same thing basically.