Otaku Gadgets

Now this is something that you don’t get to see everyday. The carrier that is famously scared of dark magic 3G network overload is allowing a famous dark sorceror app that know for data hogging (bad joojoo) thanks to its streaming nature! Yeah, AT&T is allowing SlingPlayer to work over 3G! It is hence lifting the artificial WiFi-only limitation that AT&T forced on the iPhone version of the player when it was first launched last year.

This, coupled with the fact that both AT&T and Apple have given VoIP over 3G the green light on the iPhone, kinda makes us think that Apple just might say that it is going to run Android on the next iPhone. *shudders at the thought* I mean things are that weird you know. Just when you thought that the draconian laws are never going to ease up.

But seriously folks, this is a very serious step forward for both companies, given the aggressive way their competitors are advancing. And besides, it was high time for AT&T to step up or shut up because everyone else seems to be fine with data usage. And if AT&T really wants to show us that it deserves an exclusive deal with the best mobile handset around, let is support a full blown mobile data experience.

AT&T allowing SlingPlayer is not a sudden change of heart though. AT&T and Sling have been working together to ‘optimize’ (remove curse) the app to use as little 3G bandwidth as possible with the devs throwing in ‘Dynamic Bandwidth adjustment’ (dragon’s claw and newt’s eye) just to satisfy the jittery carrier. Once their trials were successful, AT&T gave the go ahead from their side and the new version was put through for review.

So as it cooks inside the app review process, there’s good news for those who already own SlingPlayer — this new version will come in as a free upgrade for current owners. The new version will be available as soon as it is approved.

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