Everybody are excited about the upcoming 3G network into the new iPhone 2.0, and that would also include Sling Media. Because now SlingPlayer will be able to take advantage of the blazing speed of 3G network, but don't get yourself excited yet.
Why? Because the SlingPayer shown is just an early prototype, meaning it's a very-very early alpha version software. Plus SlingPlayer won't make it into the Apple's App Store, since Apple hasn't approve Sling Media to be part in it.
Jason Snell from Macworld managed to interview Sling VP of Product Marketing & Product Management Ted Malone, and told him that Sling is actually developing two versions of the player: one on the current version of the iPhone software using “jailbreak” tools to write the software, and another running in an iPhone simulator using Apple’s official development tools. The officials said that by developing on both platforms, the company’s programmers have been able to learn much more about the ins and outs of Apple’s handheld-device platform.
Although Sling is tinkering with a jailbroken version of SlingPlayer right now as a way to “characterize the performance of the platform,” company officials emphasized that the shipping version of SlingPlayer will only be available for purchase via the App Store, Apple’s official sales channel for third-party iPhone software.
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.
In the meantime Gizmodo got a hands-on video, head-on to their blog to watch it. Sources are from Macworld, the iPhone Blog and Gizmodo.
[blogged with my Treo 750v]