The listing demands that an applicant for the position:

Be knowledgeable about and/or interested in becoming an expert on the existing user interface paradigms used on iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Symbian, Android, and Palm WebOS

Of course, if they are just looking for people to work on this now we can't really expect to see it this week or next, but at least it is in the works. So what are you waiting for? Apply, so we can watch the end of the football season on our HTC Heroes and Palm Pixies! [Sling Media via Pre Central]

There has been some confusion lately regarding whether this version would have 3G in the rest of the world which I'd like to clear up. 1.1 was always Wi-Fi only. We submitted another version of the app that works on 3G that is intended for the rest of the world. We have not heard back from Apple on that app yet, and will keep you posted.

The DISH stuff is new, and will connect directly to the DISH receiver to "draw" the guide on the iPhone instead of just streaming a picture of the guide. It also has search and filtering features "that are not possible even when sitting in front of your TV." We'll let you know when the app's live.

Step 1: Free Your Phone
There are lots of reasons to jailbreak your phone. Skype and SlingPlayer over 3G is just one of them. Luckily, we've got a comprehensive guide to easily jailbreak your iPhone 3G (or iPod touch). Follow it.

Step 2: Trick Your Phone
Welcome back! If you're just interested in using Skype, SlingPlayer and Fring's VoIP over 3G we're already at the end—search for Tricker Three3G in Cydia, install it, and you're good to go. SlingPlayer, Skype and Fring will think they're running on Wi-Fi, no matter what connection you're on. Right now, Tricker Three3G only fools those three apps. There's a more involved process if you want to fool other apps too.

Step 2b: The Long Way
In Cydia, the app you want to search for and install is VoIPover3G, which tricks any app into thinking a 3G connection is actually Wi-Fi. You also need to grab OpenSSH or DiskAid and the latest version of MobileSubstrate. From there, you have to tap into phone and install some custom text files for every app that you want VoIPover3G to trick. But you do have the power to trick any app with it, unlike Tricker ThreeG. If you're completely new to the game, I'd start with this guide to getting Skype to work over 3G and then just substitute the final steps for the relevant Sling parts from this guide. They're laid out pretty well, so fairly easy to follow. [ModMyi, iHackintosh, iPhone Download Blog]

While it is true that AT&T's already clogged 3G pipes would burst into unusability if tons of people were watching Sling on their iPhones, that's only half the picture. The other half comes from the fact that AT&T's working on their OWN application code-named i-Verse, one that performs a similar task as SlingPlayer Mobile.

AT&T's "i-Verse" app works with their U-Verse TV solution that can either load DVR'ed shows from your U-Verse recorder into your iPhone at home, or stream shows across the net over their 3G network. The app was demoed last year behind closed doors and based on the reception then, prompted AT&T to go into full-time development on it.

We understand that AT&T doesn't want to lose man-hours sunk into development into the app (and that it's their network), but using their position to strong-arm the shut-down of another app just so it doesn't have the competition? That's some lousy, lousy sauce that's more similar than not to net neutrality issues—that is, if our tipster is right. [Thanks tipster!]

Here's AT&T's stance:

Slingbox, which would use large amounts of wireless network capacity, could create congestion and potentially prevent other customers from using the network. The application does not run on our 3G wireless network. Applications like this, which redirects a TV signal to a personal computer, are specifically prohibited under our terms of service. We consider smartphones like the iPhone to be personal computers in that they have the same hardware and software attributes as PCs.

That said, we don't restrict users from going to a Web site that lets them view videos. But what our terms and conditions prohibit is the transferring, or slinging, of a TV signal to their personal computer or smartphone.

The Slingbox application for the iPhone runs on WiFi. That's good news for AT&T's iPhone 3G customers, who get free WiFi access at our 20,000 owned and operated hot spots in the U.S., including Starbucks, McDonalds, Barnes & Noble, hotels, and airports. AT&T is the industry leader in WiFi.

They're saying that watching regular video on the internet is fine (it better be, since YouTube is bundled right on the damn phone), but Sling is not because it "redirect[s] a TV signal to a personal computer." Ignoring the personal computer part (others phones are still able to stream Sling over 3G, which is kind of an insult to Windows Mobile phones and BlackBerry phones), Sling is not a TV signal. It is streaming video, which happens to be TV, but is really no different from a YouTube video.

Seriously, there's no actual difference other than the fact that people would use a lot more bandwidth when they're using a SlingPlayer for their iPhone because they're watching full shows instead of 2 minute clips, and that would kill the AT&T network. Why are customers paying for unlimited internet when it's not unlimited? Thanks, AT&T. [Sling for iPhone review]

We've been testing the player for a couple weeks and it definitely works great. On Wi-Fi, it's smooth—smoother and better looking than other Slingplayers for other mobiles—which is great, since that's the only way you'll be able to use it.

It was actually fine over 3G (which I tested with, but you won't get to use), with slightly more lag and noticeably worse video quality, but that's the compromise you have to make when you want to WATCH TV ANYWHERE. Looks like that rumor about AT&T not being happy with Sling pulling down so much data over their network was true.

In any case, watching Slingplayer Mobile is fine, but controlling Slingplayer Mobile—especially if you have a TiVo or other DVR—is somewhat clumsy. There are various remote screens that work, but have to refresh whenever you hit a button. It's slow, so setting up your show will be tedious. That's the limitation Sling had to work with since the iPhone has no physical buttons. And, there's black-bar issues around the side (and sometimes top) of the phone that's occasionally impossible to get rid of (depending on the aspect ratio you're watching), which is a limitation of the player software.

If this had been 3G-capable, we'd happily pay $30 for the privilege of watching TV on the train or at the bank. As is, you're limited to Starbucks, your office, or anywhere else where you can latch onto a network.

We are glad that it's now compatible with older Slingboxes, which is something Sling did very right. You just won't get tech support for it if you use the older models.

The app should appear in the iTunes App Store at the latest by tomorrow morning.

While it's designed to work over Wi-Fi and 3G—like that rumored and delicious Hulu app—AppleInsider suggests it might need to be Wi-Fi only to appease AT&T, who fears what it would do to its network. After all, at best its retracted Skype-and-Sling-banning terms of service update was a Freudian slip. [Boy Genius, AppleInsider]

Here's the dirty clause, uncovered by Public Knowledge:

This means, by way of example only, that checking email, surfing the Internet, downloading legally acquired songs, and/or visiting corporate intranets is permitted, but downloading movies using P2P file sharing services, customer initiated redirection of television or other video or audio signals via any technology from a fixed location to a mobile device, web broadcasting, and/or for the operation of servers, telemetry devices and/or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition devices is prohibited.

That pretty much describes Sling in a nutshell—throwing video from your house to your phone. It remains to be seen how strict they'll be on that, but it is lame cakes in writing, at least.

Net neutrailty just doesn't apply to invisible internets, you know, since you don't want them to run out. [AT&T via Public Knowledge via NewTeeVee]

The official list of supported phones now includes the following:

Sprint Treo 800w
Sony Ericsson X1
Palm Treo Pro
Sprint HTC Touch Diamond
Sprint HTC Touch Pro
Verizon HTC Touch Pro
Verizon Samsung Saga
Verizon Samsung Omnia
AT&T LG Incite
AT&T HTC Fuze
AT&T Samsung Epix
HP iPAQ 910
AT&T Pantech Duo
Sprint Samsung ACE
Verizon XV6900

That said, almost any phone running a compatible resolution should be fine (Touch HD, anyone?). [Sling]

The player will run on most BlackBerry phones, with the notable exception of the Storm, which it seems would be best suited for such purposes. According to the company, the app will run straight away and without caveat on the BlackBerry Bold, Curve 8900, 8820, Curve 8320, Pearl Flip 8220, and Pearl 8120, assuming they are updated to OS 4.5.

Beyond that, Sling says that the program may run fine on a variety of other OS 4.5 EDGE-only handsets, though these configurations will be unsupported. If our early hands-on is any indicator, a solid EDGE connection will generally do well enough, so for all intents and purposes this release will cover most of the operational BlackBerry line. The beta will open on 12/30. [Sling]

For those unaware, Slingplayer lets you watch streaming video over the internet from any source connected to a slingbox. Some of these features, like the online ID system, are already present in the Slingplayer 2.0 release for Windows. But the revamped mac version, which promises HD streaming, isn't quite ready, so this will have to do in the meantime. Download it over at [Sling].

The Guide
•The Guide is like the electronic programming guide (EPG) in your set top box at home but built right into the SlingPlayer for Windows 2.0 software. You can easily find what’s on without having to use SlingPlayer to access your STB's EPG.
•The Guide enables quick, easy navigation, channel search and channel change functionality right from your PC, using the SlingPlayer and just a couple clicks of your mouse.
•With the Guide there’s no IR delay when sending a command through the SlingPlayer to change the channel or program a recording, and the Guide slides out of the SlingPlayer software so it doesn’t obscure what you’re watching on the screen. With a comprehensive view of your channels, easy to navigate views and search capability, the Guide allows you to get right to what’s important, watching what you want to watch now.

Live Video Buffer
•Live Video Buffer with DVR-like control, allows you to easily pause, rewind or fast-forward up to 60 minutes of video on your PC, right from the SlingPlayer.
•Whether you have a DVR at home or not, this feature makes watching your TV on your PC even easier and more enjoyable by giving you greater control without the fuss of a remote control.

Integrated Sling Accounts
•Sling Accounts stores your key Slingbox information like your program guide line up, Slingbox IDs, passwords and favorites on central Sling Media servers.
•This feature allows you to access your information on any PC or laptop running SlingPlayer for Windows 2.0 software so when you switch computers or want to install SlingPlayer for Windows 2.0 on an additional computer, you no longer have to re-enter your information on the new computer. By signing into your Sling Account after installing the software, your Slingbox information will automatically appear. This is a first of many key features enabled by Sling Accounts.

New Look & Feel
•SlingPlayer for Windows 2.0 is sporting a new look & feel. With detachable slide-out windows and a sleek new player design it presents all the new features and functionality in an easy to navigate way.

Multiple Viewing Modes & Sizes
•With different viewing modes, the SlingPlayer software allows you to work, surf the web and enjoy your TV, all at the same time.

To take part in the 2.0 beta, hit the following link to download the software. [Sling]