SlingPlayer Mobile for Android beta preview
By Chris Ziegler 
posted May 28th 2010 1:54PM
posted May 28th 2010 1:54PM
Though we didn't have another SlingPlayer-equipped device to compare, past experience suggests to us that Sling wasn't lying -- load times are, in fact, lower here than we're used to. That's especially true over WiFi, where it took as little as 1.5 seconds (give or take a tenth) from launch to live video (assuming you'd already entered your login information, of course). We found this version's remote interface to be totally usable -- it's got its own unique feel, just like every other SlingPlayer flavor out there -- but we were disappointed to find no obvious way to create favorite channels. In fact, beyond using the remote and changing aspect ratio and Slingbox input, there's no other functionality whatsoever.
The beta was also quite unstable on our Froyo-equipped Nexus One. Basically, we had to go into app management and press Force Stop after each time we ran SlingPlayer; pressing Home while watching TV was a particularly easy way to damn it to crashdom, but even pressing Disconnect first from within the app didn't seem to work very reliably. We also had to re-sign in to the box on several occasions, though we weren't able to figure out what was triggering that behavior. All told, we're hoping it gets considerably more stable before it goes to general release -- but the speed is promising, and hey, at this point, Android users just need some sort of option for placeshifting.
get it out and I will gladly use it on my Droid!
@BobStewart Do want! Wish this was out in time for the world cup.
Awesome news
about god damn time
Great can't wait.
nice nice i say
Hmmm! I'd much rather view it on a 4.3in screen, that my preference. ;)
This is what I'm talking about: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/slingplayer-mobile-for-android-teased-on-an-evo-4g/
@scorpeo can. not. wait.
@lxathumper, exactly, there are reports popping up that Radio Shack sold 200,000 pre-orders. I wonder how many BestBuy sold.
I'm seriously considering getting Slingplayer JUST for this ability.
Does Slingplayer work with FiOS? I checked their website but they just seem to mention Cablevision, Direct TV, and a Dish.
@NaeemTHM Sure, it'll work with FiOS, Comcast, etc. It'll stream nearly anything you can connect to its video inputs. The connected source (e.g., cable STB) will need to respond to the included IR remote blaster or you won't be able to power on, select channel, etc.
OMG CLEAR YOUR NOTIFICATIONS! RAGGGEEEEEEEEEEE!
@SouthEastBeast LOL
Can you use the trackball instead of the directional buttons on screen to navigate menus, etc?
@mr88 Nope, not as far as I can tell.
@Chris Ziegler Hmm, not a huge deal, but it would probably be nice; hopefully something they can implement down the road. Would just seem more natural I think than having up/down and left/right on opposite sides of the screen. Would also be nice to use a physical keyboard to type in channel numbers and stuff...if you have one (my Incredible does not).
Sweeeet! Yankees Anywhere!
This is going to look great on my Sprint HTC EVO 4G!
M not impressed this been out on iPhone for 2 years now.
Weak!
Ot am I supposed to be impressed??
@hated one Just because it's been out on the iPhone for two years (or however long) doesn't mean anything. 2 years ago, the market case for Sling to write code for Android just wasn't there. I don't care if you're impressed or not, as long as you don't care that I'm not impressed it's been on the iPhone so long.
@hated one
Its been out for windows mobile for over 4 years, so what's your point? Oh, and the iPhone's gimped version was released just over a year ago...
@hated one, I could have sworn this is the, "Android version." I doubt there are very many iphone owners who have had a pleasant experience running SlingPlayer over At&t's piss-poor network! Not to mention a rep from Sling has said the Android version is the best and it works the best on the EVO.
the geek in me wnats to buy a slingbox pro just for the cool factor of watching TV on my new evo. But i know i really dont need it since i only watch movies and daytime TV sucks.
@neeko18
Yeah, but with StreamBaby on tivo, you CAN watch YOUR movies over sling. It's not quite DLNA-from-across-the-country, but it's close enough for now.
@lxathumper Ill have to try that out.. I was thinking of giving Orb another try.
I'm curious how many of the issues with having to force close, etc, comes from the pre-release Froyo rom, rather than the software itself since it's a known fact that pre-release Froyo is unstable with certain software.
How do you guys have Froyo 2.2 when I read here http://www.androidguys.com/2010/05/28/whaddya-frozen-yogurt-official/ that the 2.2 update that was accidental rolled out wasn't the official/completed update?
@Clark Kent
Well it did but only a few select phones....of course, it wasnt long until the manual link was discovered to download it and XDA Devs got it etc etc.
This is the beta version that is supposed to launch soon and you can't even close the app? Lmao...that's hilarious -- they made everything so far but you can't shut down the app properly, rofl...
@DoctarPeppar Well, maybe if they try to run it on a non-beta/pre-release of the Android OS, it might behave properly.
Will EVO be able to output this via hdmi?
@dlove, assuming the agreement Sprint has with their partners prohibit that feature, I believe that would fall under rebroadcasting, which will be violating the licensing terms and agreements.
@scorpeo
Hopefully if you can root your evo you will be able to output to hdmi somehow.
3G/4G support? Suck on that, AT&T!
What is the video resolution? Does it go up to 800 x 480?
How will this work with my tivo. Can I watch what's live on it and/or what's recorded on my now playing dvr list from this app?
Real Player beta now here for Android, whats the best news, its free ! so before people at Android and Real Networks re-think, get it on my post :
http://www.worldshotcake.com/google/get-realplayer-beta-for-android/
btw, this is not spam, take care.
how much will this app cost anyways?