I’ve been waiting for SlingPlayer for iPhone for a while. Last November, I plied a Sling exec with question on when it would be available – the man was inscrutable 🙂
But while I’m pleased that it’s coming out, I’m not happy that my Slingbox Classic isn’t going to be supported.
TUAW writes:
A page on the SlingMedia website suggests owners of older Sling hardware get an upgrade because the new iPhone software “and future services yet to be announced will only be supported for customers using Slingbox SOLO, Slingbox PRO and Slingbox PRO-HD products or forthcoming SlingLoaded products.”
The fact that my current Slingbox works on my Mac (both use Cocoa and ObjC), the fact that Slingbox Classic works fine for Windows Mobile, Blackberry and even Palm handhelds – it just leaves me with a sour taste in my mouth.
Engadget previously wrote that previous builds of the app worked fine with the older hardware. So they’re not only looking for money when you buy a copy of the SlingPlayer for iPhone software (what? did you think it would be free?) but now a lot of folk are going to have to consider changing their Slingbox as well?
Well, fuck that. If it doesn’t work with my Slingbox, then I’m going to Sling it. There’s obviously a real need for a media-shifting platform which doesn’t tie you into a proprietary codec and player.
Whilst I can agree with some points, for instance, as a programmer, I would prefer much more open hardware for me to play with – diy alarm systems, jailbroken iphones and atvs – I can understand sling’s stance.
After all, Apple have been cutting off PPC users in stages, and Snow Leopard will complete that – yet Ubuntu latest builds runs fine on G3 systems (albeit xubuntu runs the best) – so the same accusation can be slung (gedit) against Apple.
From a consumption point of view, throwing hardware away because it doesn’t support the latest “CoreWhatever” technology is stupid, sadly these companies are businesses and they need to make money, hence decisions like this.
I would much rather they opensourced and unlocked the hardware when they are done though.