Apple Versus Echostar?

Today I watched as the folks from Apple introduced their new Apple Iphone 3G phone, when I saw it my mouth started watering.

For the last two years I have been using various PDA’s starting with a Treo 600, the a Treo 650, then moving to Windows Mobile with the HTC 6700 and now I use the HTC 6800. (Sprint Mogul)   I personally considered the HTC 6800 (aka Sprint Mogul) the best PDA on the market, it could do everything a Iphone could do… until today.

Today at Apples Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco, apple introduced the world to a new Iphone, this new Iphone uses AT&T’s faster 3G data network plus also has built in GPS and a slew of new features.

But it wasn’t what I saw at the WWDC that had me wanting an Iphone, it is what I saw before WWDC that has me craving one.

So what did I see?  The answer to that is a “proof of concept” version of Slingplayer for the Iphone.  The folks from Tech Blog Engadget posted a video demo of the new software this morning, this demo had me now craving an Iphone.

I know a lot of folks would say why would I want an Iphone when I already have a great PDA.  The answer to that is over the past year I have started becoming an Apple guy.  I know own a Macbook Pro which has became my main computer.  I love it, it runs Mac’s operating system, plus it also runs Windows… flawlessly.  I find on my PDA I am always screwing around with it loading various roms on it trying to get it to work.  I am always formatting the phone and starting from scratch.  The Iphone on the other hand just works.  I know a lot of other who have Iphone and love them because it just works.  I want that.

I have said in the past that once the Iphone has Slingplayer software and faster internet then I will want one.  Well that time is now getting close.

The question now is will the Slingplayer Mobile software ever be released for the Iphone?

At the moment Sling has not been accepted into Apple’s developer program.  Without being accepted into this program Sling may never be able to release this software to Sling fans with Iphones.

In addition there could be another company who might not want Sling on the Iphone and that company is Echostar who owns Sling Media.

While I would think that Echostar would love to have the software available for the Iphone as people would be buying Sling hardware, which is a great thing for both companies.  However by the same token Echostar is investing millions of dollars into new mobile solutions so that Dish Network customers can enjoy Dish Network anywhere. This new Mobile Dish solution will use Echostar’s recently acquired spectrum they won in the 700 MHz auction.  If everyone is running around watching Dish Network on their Iphone’s then there is no reason why a Dish Mobile solution is even needed.   This could pit Echostar -vs- Apple with the poor folks at Sling Media getting stuck in the middle.

I do hope that Echostar does allow Sling to release the software for Iphones as one of the things that makes the Slingbox so great is it works with any television service.  The Slingbox is not tied to a provider such as Dish Network, but you can also use it with DirecTV, any cable tv service and even IPTV type services such as AT&T’s UVERSE.

I am sure it will be awhile before we see the Slingplayer for the Iphone available, so until then I will stick with my 6800, but when it’s available I just might make the jump to a shiny new Iphone.