Older Slingboxes incompatible with Sling iPhone app

The Slingbox Tuner (left) and Slingbox AV (right) won't work with the new Sling iPhone app.

(Credit: Sling Media)

Sling Media has announced that the first few models of the Slingbox won't work with new Sling software, including the much-anticipated SlingPlayer for iPhone.

The company, which is now owned by EchoStar, informed Slingbox owners on the Sling Media Web site Wednesday, saying that owners of the original Slingbox, Slingbox AV, and Slingbox Tuner were encouraged to upgrade to either a Slingbox Pro, Slingbox Pro-HD, or Slingbox Solo and that the company would offer those owning discontinued boxes a $50 discount to upgrade. (The Solo is the entry-level product and costs $180).

The reason? Because "software like SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone and future services yet to be announced" will only be supported on Solo, Pro and Pro-HD, and EchoStar SlingLoaded products.

The notoriously vocal and tight-knit Sling community wasn't pleased, with more than 120 comments on the topic in the SlingCommunity.com forum as of this posting, most of which expressed disappointment and anger. Since the upgrade offer was actually posted Wednesday, many Sling owners mistook it for a prank.

"I just hope this is one sick April Fool's joke - if it is it's not very funny," wrote one member of SlingCommunity.com. Others chimed in with similar hope, until it became clear this was all rather serious.

While a Sling representative didn't immediately return a request for comment Thursday, the company did note in the same blog post that the older versions (Slingbox, AV, and Tuner) will still function normally on their own, but won't be able to take advantage of new services.

[murrayw76]

If I have a Sling product that works perfectly, why should I be expected to lay out additional cost for a new device? I wholeheartedly agree with the poster who hoped that this was just an April Fool's joke. I currently have a Sling Tuner and use Sling Mobile to watch it on my AT&T Tilt. Having already spent money on both the hardware and the mobile software, why should I continue to spend money on products in order to take advantage of future services, barring any insurmountable technical hurdle, which is hard to envision? Sling should do the right thing and offer a firmware update for their older products. I would even consider a nominal charge for that update to cover the cost of backporting future functionality, perhaps $10-20. Otherwise, this is just another instance of planned obsolescence, which strikes me as particularly wasteful.

Either that or I hope that Microsoft starts to bundle Sling-like capabilities into Windows Media Center. I already get to use my Xbox as a Media Center Extender, but perhaps then a device-agnostic mobile approach (WinMo, iPhone, Android, S60, Blackberry) would allow me to ditch Sling altogether.

[midiexpert]

I'm one of those angry Slingbox owners (Classic, the original) who is not surprised about this news. Late last year, Slingmedia forced a software and firmware upgrade on all it's users--going from the beta version of the latest software to the final release (required due to the expiration of the beta) caused my Slingbox Classic to slow down in streaming speed by over 50%, which has a noticeable impact on the picture quality and connectivity, particularly while remote (internet-based) viewing. Sling's support was virtually useless, and even though there has been another release of firmware and software to supposedly fix various issues, it has not fixed mine. I suspect strongly that Slingmedia is using this pent-up demand for the iPhone software (yes, I also own an iPhone) to formally state what I already suspected--that unless you upgrade your hardware, you are out of luck. I totally accept the inevitability of upgrading hardware when new features of a product are introduced, but at least my choice is between maintaining my current features or upgrading to get the new ones. In this case, I no longer have the same level of features/performance that I enjoyed in the past, so it's either invest in a new Slingbox or just live with the lousy performance. Sling knows that the competition is weak at best (Hava, Sony Location Free are considered inferior) so I guess they can do what they want, but this seems to be a rather blatant move to grab more cash, and I hope it backfires on them.

[Jahntassa]

As long as they don't somehow disable older models via upgrades, I don't think this is a huge deal. If you simply don't have access to new features, I can understand that maybe the older hardware just simply can't handle it.

If, however, this is some sort of ultimatum that you need to upgrade or it simply won't work..that's just wrong.

[luexanna]

The older boxes DOOOO work with the iPhone application. That is the Point! Plenty of people beta tested it.
They are simply changing the coded to prevent the older boxes from working to make a buck.

[Lerianis3]

If what Luexanna is saying is true, that people were beta testing this app on OLDER boxes...... Slingbox is bucking for a class-action lawsuit here.

[depotwest]

I truly hope that Slingmedia, under its new EchoStar management, will realize everyone knows they're lying. The iPhone App beta has worked with the Slingbox Classic since the first iterations of it, and that's the item that bothers me most.

If I can't have additional services, over an above the iphone App that are to be released in the future - fine. But don't tell me you've submitted an App to Apple for approval THEN tell your existing customers that have been anxiously awaiting it, that sorry, you'll need to upgrade.

Boo! No wonder the founders left the company....

[luexanna]

Spread this far and wide people. Warn new people by giving Amazon reviews. Don't let them get shafted like we did.

[skrubol]

Is it possible one of the new "features" is tighter security/encryption? I could see Sling disallowing old boxes to work with new clients to try and minimize exposure to the MPAA.

[Hal4000]

As a owner of 2 original Slingboxes im angry that knowing the beta version worked with the iphone and now the release version is requiring a equipment upgrade... can echostar at least offer a stripped down version to those who own the original versions of the unit as the point is to watch tv on your mobile device im sure those who own the orig. slingboxes will be fine with that and if they want the extra features then an upgrade would me manditory... but to leave all the people who adopted early and sang the praises of the slingbox and made it what it is today is a "SLAP IN THE FACE" and only hurts EchoStar in the long run... GREED shouldn't be a reason to alienate all the happy slingers that happen to own a iphone and have been proud owners that always said nothing but the best about sling media.
Plea

[Go_Bruins]

What a bunch of BEEP. Tivo tried to pull this same garbage after emphatically stating that there were no immediate plans to go HD ... they pop out with an HD reciever just after the holidays. By then I'd purchased the 2nd generation box and a SN# lifetime activation. I refused to take the pathetic offer of either $50 or $75 off and instead just dealt with it. My stuborness paid off and eventually an HD upgrade was beamed to the TIVO. Not great, not really true HD either but at least it wasn't just a Black Screen with Audio. Hopefully Slingbox will see the light too and eventually integrate the old devices into the new applications.

[dennisl59]

I'll apply for a government bailout to pay for the upgrade. Thank You.

[dgeiserr]

Nothing like screwing the customer, forcing them to buy new hardware.

[saridt]

OK, let me understand, screw your early adopters. Have I got that right????

[wnbear]

Pretty much.

[Ltyte]

Gee I wonder where they got that idea? cough*APPLE*cough.

[saridt]

My message to Sling Media:


"SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone 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 product"

This is crap, so glad I was an early adopter. I have no doubt this is a strategic business decision and not a technical hurdle. So screw you, I was going to buy an HD box and have two sling boxes in my house. Now I will not buy your HD box or the iPhone app.

I will be conveying this message wherever and to whomever I can. That's what early adopters do, they elevate a product or they crush it.

Send your note to: [e-mail]

[gadget-ben]

How to turn your companies reputation from tech heros to money-grabbing zeros overnight!

I bought a newer box when I heard the iPhone app was coming so I will not be affected, but this anouncement is a shocking way to 'reward' loyal customers, many of whom have been evangelising Slings products and are now feeling totally alienated by the company. Many are now talking of boycotts.

It is such a shame to spoil this most eagerly anticipated iPhone app release in this way. Sling can now expect some very negative feedback in the app store even if the app works flawlessly!

[icfdude]

I had an issue with their last upgrade and wanted to talk to someone. They wanted $50 to talk to me even though it was their fault for the problem. Their greed is unbelievable.

[mratcheson]

I purchased a Slingbox AV about 13 months ago, and I'm not yet ready to replace it. While I was willing to spend $30 - $50 to purchase the iPhone player, I don't see that watching TV on my phone is worth spending an additional $130 (a total of $180 - $200), I can't imagine I'll want to do it all *that often. Especially in this economy, it just seems frivolous, even for me.

I'm not angry, just disappointed, especially since rumor has it that testers were able to use the iPhone player beta with the Slingbox AV. I'll likely be looking to purchase something next year or thereabouts, and will evaluate whatever is available then, from Sling and from its competitors.

[cardfan1212]

I think its just smart business for Sling to require its users to upgrade to use the iphone app. This is what Apple does to its customers too and they love it. When Sling does the same, they're angry. Go figure..lol

[gadget-ben]

I don't think any of the existing classic and AV customers who were promised by Sling that the iPhone app would work with their existing kit would agree that this is 'smart business'. Neither is anyone particularly impressed by Apple's protectionist policies. The issue is one of disasterous customer relations. As has become clear by an unprecedented response at Slingcommunity.com, people are angry because Sling's deserved success is largely due to great tech AND the evangelistic viral marketing of the early adopters. Those same customers are now being fleeced for more money for greed, not technical reasons. The feelings of betrayal are palpable.

Well, I hope 'they' will be updating this statement copied from the 'About' section of their web site;

"The focus of Sling Media is to embrace - not replace - existing products and standards by enhancing them with hardware and software that make divergent technologies compatible and greatly improve the consumer experience. Because, after all, can't we all just get along?!"

I suggest a new paragraph;

"The focus of Sling Media is to shaft - not embrace - existing customers and standards by selling them unnecessary hardware and software that make divergent technologies incompatible and greatly f*-up the consumer experience. Because, after all, can't we just get all your money?!"

and perhaps;

"We used to be respected for squeezing TV across networks and into phones but our suits got gready and now we are infamous for squeezing money out of our most loyal customers pockets. Sling Media was chosen by (HOW TO LOSE A) FORTUNE Magazine as one of the 25 most stupid Companies of 2009."

[Boycott_the_App]

Vote with your wallets BOYCOTT THE APP!

I like everyone else here have been waiting eagerly for this app.

I have also been a massive fan of Sling and their products for a few years now....and have also raved on like a nutter to other people trying to pursuade them to buy slingboxes!

Sling....this is called making money by "Word of mouth"....or "Free positive advertising" if you will!

I too was more than willing to pay my money for the App itself....Sling this is called "A 100% chance of having my money!!"


Slingbox was set up by normal people who just wanted a solution to their TV watching probs! And low and behold we loved the solution they came up with.
How many other products are loved so much that they have their own community for goodness sake!

Sadly those moneygrabbing guys at Echostar just don't get that at all and are all in it for making money.

Business is of course business and nobody minds a company making money, but to totally sh*t on your most loyal customers from a great height just isn't cricket!

Sling this is called "very very bad PR"


We can complain as much as we like in forums like these, but really, honestly the ONLY way you can really show your disappointment is by NOT buying the App once it hits the Appstore!

Sling know how hotly anticipated this App has been....and if it doesn't sell after all their development, they'll know somethings up......it will also hit them in their pockets....remember there is no technical reason why you need to upgrade your box for it to work....Just Greed!

BOYCOTT THE APP (until it's available on all slingboxes!)

[cardfan1212]

Even if you upgrade your slingbox, you still can't use AT&T's 3g network.

I'm not sure why people want to pay such a premium to AT&T and get such lousy service.

Sprint ftw..

[ddcNumber1]

SlingMedia,

You are GREEDY! Does it make sense to run out and buy a new Slingbox so I can watch it on my iPod Touch? Does that make any sense? Insult and screw your customers. SMART MOVE!

[chwhale]

I'm boycotting the software, hardware, and any other kind of ware they are selling. I've got a Slingbox A/V that is apparently too outdated to sling to an iPhone. Never mind the fact that the same model will sling to many other cell phones.

I'm buying a Hava as soon as their app comes out for the iPhone. P!$$ on Sling as they have pist on us.