Sling Media has already developed SlingPlayer for platforms like Windows Mobile and Blackberry, and there has been a lot of anticipation around an iPhone offering. That said, there was also some that were worried about developing SlingPlayer for the iPhone, given Apple’s notoriously strict App Store acceptance policies, often without rhyme or reason.

A few days ago Sling Media submitted their SlingPlayer for iPhone application to Apple for review and acceptance in the App Store. This again stirred up the debate about whether or not the device would be approved by Apple, and alas the hour of reckoning has come and SlingPlayer for iPhone has been rejected (for now). According to Sling Media PR, the program was developed to specifically adhere to every Apple guideline for applications, user interfaces, etc. This leads to the obligatory WTF?

According to sources at BGR, SlingPlayer for iPhone was rejected entry into the App Store due to an executive decision made by Apple. Word circulating the Internets is that AT&T petitioned Apple to reject the app due to worries about bandwidth consumption . If true — and BGR is notorious for having accurate inside information — I have bugs to pick with both AT&T and Apple regarding this action taken by AT&T.

For one, there are already a number of other AT&T Windows Mobile and Blackberry devices on which users are able to use the SlingPlayer application. So their argument about bandwidth is pitiful, they’re already letting users of other devices use it. Granted, the number of iPhones in comparison to those other devices is astronomical, but there’s got to be some law or regulation against restricting the bandwidth of the same program on different platforms when both utilize the same network — at a minimum it’s horribly unethical.

Secondly, Apple. When did you start letting telco’s dictate what software can and can’t be allowed on the iPhone. Apart from allowing VOIP apps to run on cell networks (which is a legitimate excuse) and other apps that may interfere with AT&T’s revenue model, there is no excuse for this. AT&T says it’s gonna use too much bandwidth? Puh-lease! There are a number of streaming video apps already on the iPhone that AT&T didn’t bark about: Joost and UStream to name a few. Also, what is the point of offering users unlimited data plans if you’re going to restrict how much data they can use – and not just restrict it by capping it, but even going so far as to not allowing software that may use a lot of bandwidth. It’s total crap and my affection for AT&T continues to dwindle, they probably have a competing product in the works and the bandwidth complaints are just a cover. And Apple, shame on you as well for allowing a telecommunications provider to control innovation on the iPhone. Continued behavior like this will allow platforms like the Palm Pre and Android to catch up to you.

</rant>, users…thoughts on this?