Any TV source from a home entertainment system connected to a Slingbox- including satellite receiver, set-top box, cable box, DVD player and PVR - can be operated from the SlingPlayer Mobile application. Users can switch channels, set recordings and more too.
There's already a full SlingPlayer app for Mac OS X, plus a SlingPlayer Mobile app for Windows Mobile and Palm mobile devices. SlingPlayer Mobile is pre-installed on some Nokia 3G phones sold by 3 in the UK. Without 3G, the iPhone would have to stream TV channels using Wi-Fi only. But it would be a neat app that would look terrific on the iPhone's huge display.
6. Bluetooth keyboard support
The iPhone's touchscreen keyboard may be OK for a bit of light letter-work, but it's unlikely to find favour with heavy business email users - and even technology journalists won't favour using it to bash out articles.
While a slide-out or BlackBerry- style keyboard would demand a whole new design rejig, support for a separate Bluetooth-enabled keyboard would be but a 3rd party app away. Not yet though - the iPhone's Bluetooth implementation doesn't support it, let alone third party Bluetooth keyboard software. And while we're on the subject...
Bluetooth stereo streaming (A2DP)
The iPhone's Bluetooth implementation doesn't allow for full interactivity with other devices - you can't transfer files or sync via Bluetooth. And most bafflingly for a device that is as much an iPod as a mobile, it doesn't support the A2DP protocol to allow stereo streaming of audio to other devices, such as a wireless headset or Bluetooth speakers. Surely this is up there with Flash as a multimedia must-have?
7. BlackBerry Connect push email client
Just because you're (virtually) umbilically tied to your BlackBerry shouldn't mean you have to glance wistfully at others having fun with their iPhones. A BlackBerry Connect push email client on the iPhone, set up to work with the office's BlackBerry Enterprise Server, would solve the "what handset do I use?" dilemma for the power mobile user looking to impress. Email typing might be more of a chore on the iPhone, but what the heck...
