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On Netflix, Sling, & MLB at Bat on AT&T

D

DCBass

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 23, 2004
312
3
Washington, DC
There have been a lost of posts and critiques of how certain video streaming apps (Netflix and Slingplayer) will only operate over wi-fi on the iPhone, whereas these apps would run on 3G on other carriers, and Apple even allows MLB at Bat to stream over 3G on AT&T.

People who are fans of these services have been screaming bloody murder over the inconsistencies, but I think that there is another consideration at play.

Namely: What is the expected 3G load for these different services/apps?

1) I think it can go without saying that there are probably way more people subscribed to Netflix and own an iPhone than there are those who own an iPhone and are big enough fans to pay for the MLB at Bat app. Of iPhone owners, this may be true of Slingplayer too.

2) As for the other carriers, there are few possibilities:

a. They don't expect a significant portion of their customers (blackberry/Android/etc) to use these services/apps enough to slow down their network to a great degree.

b. Some carriers probably are throwing caution to the wind. From reviews I've seen, SprintTV on the Pre ain't so hot.

c. AT&T is actually being kind of a douche (this should never be left out of the realm of possibilities).

Thoughts?

Cheers,

DCBass
 
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I think your explanation a) is probably right, and b) will do nothing to satisfy the hordes of angry users on this issue
 
This probably isn't too far from the truth. It's no secret that the AT&T network is no where near what it was 3 years ago. Being a former employee, I remember the day when we had to take down all the "fewest dropped calls" signs... that was over a year ago. I hope for AT&T's sake that they do lose the iPhone exclusivity. I wouldn't change carriers because all my friends have AT&T and I can get away with the cheapest rate plan; hopefully the Verizon and T-Mobile faithful will leave and that will just be great for all parties involved.

I have to agree with you on your theory of the MLB app. I have the MLB app and I NEVER use the video feature, maybe only for a few seconds to show off, but the only team I would want to watch is the Phillies, and I can't because of blackout restrictions.

This is proabaly another reason why we don't have the highly requested/hoped front facing camera to do video confrencing as well... just a theory.
 
+ 1 on the video-conferencing. I also hope that AT&T loses the exclusivity. Although I am an AT&T customer, and don't plan on switching anytime soon, I think that all of these exclusivity deals focus the element of competition on the phones, rather than network performance.

Perhaps when 4G/Wimax/whatever becomes widespread, hopefully in the next few years, this will all be old, old news. Until then, yes, the hordes of angry users (and potential users) will remain.

DCBass
 
What about directv nfl app coming out?

Will it be over wifi only? Those 3 hour games require alot.
 
Indeed, it's probably why Orb can be used over wifi and Slingplayer can't. Orb requires you to purchase and set up server PC while Slingplayer requires you to purchase a small box you plug into the wall, DVR and network. What I don't understand is why Orb has a quality slider...who keeps it anything but floored at all times? :-D

Personally, I've spent hours watching baseball via the MLB at Bat app and more hours watching blacked out games via the local channels and Orb while sitting in the local minor league stadium. Once in a while MLB at Bat stutters and has to catch up but, given past experience, I figure that's MLB more than AT&T. It's supposed to be a fast 3G network and it's supposed to be unlimited data so screw 'em, I say.
 
It's supposed to be a fast 3G network and it's supposed to be unlimited data so screw 'em, I say.[/QUOTE]

Well, I think here is where Att is screwed.

If you read the letters sent out to Att from the FCC, they were particularly interested about the disclosure to consumers regarding those limitations. Well as a lawyer I can tell you we can spin alot things when you "say" its day when its night. Its when you in practice limit and then restrict a service promised is when the trouble starts.

I can tell you right now counsel for ATT is reeling, but in the end the Sling app set the noose and the google restrictions and voip limits tightened the rope. Especially when its available on other devices on the same network.

This will, indeed, be fun to watch.

In the meantime there is no way they will limit the directtv app NOW, after all of this.
 
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I use the MLB app to watch the Cardinals play when they're one of the featured games. The 3G streaming is nice to have if I'm out, but the quality is pretty lousy. I can't imagine wanting to watch an entire movie from netflix like that. Now if they could offer the same quality stream over 3G that you get over wifi that would ne awesome.
 
I prefer to stream video over wifi anyway...Whenever I watch anything over 3g it sucks
 
Streaming Netflix to iPhone 3G

How do you stream Netflix to an iPhone over WiFi? I have an iPhone 3G on AT&T.

Thanks,
 
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