BlakeKrikorian
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Microsoft confirms R2 Studios acquisition, makes Krikorian a VP with the Xbox in mind
Microsoft is silent no longer on its buyout of R2 Studios. The software giant has officially confirmed its purchase of R2, a home automation and entertainment startup, for an unspecified amount. It's also clearer that ex-Sling chief and R2 founder Blake Krikorian is central to the deal -- he's becoming a VP in the Interactive Entertainment Business, and much of the release (after the break) centers on Krikorian's content-related design experience and how it could help the Xbox. We'll just have to be patient enough to wait for the eventual results in our living rooms.
Slingbox inventor releases Crestron R2 Control App for Android, teases something big
Own a professionally installed Crestron home automation system? Then check this out mister moneybags. Former Sling boxer, Blake Krikorian, has turned his home automation hobby into a full-fledged Android app ready for download. The R2 Control App will set you back $99 (hey, it's Crestron) from the Android Market and give you control over your 2-Series and 3-series systems from anywhere in the world via WiFi or cellular data networks. At least it will after an authorized Crestron programmer enables it. The app works natively with Mobile Pro / Pro G projects built for Crestron touchscreen or iOS devices and automatically resizes the UI to the native resolution of the Android device you're using. Great, we guess, but what we find most compelling is what Blake teases about the future. We had a chat with the Slingbox inventor who shares our concerns about the current state of home automation and believes that the industry is "on the brink of something big" that could finally take it to the mass market. Given his entrepreneurial lineage and clear home automation interests, we're more than a bit intrigued by where this might go now that Blake and Google are in the mix.
Sling founder concocts Crestron home automation app for Android, demos it on Galaxy Tab
Two years ago in Denver, we watched as a Crestron iPhone app wowed crowds at CEDIA. At this year's show in Atlanta, a similar app has been unveiled for a rival platform: Android. Blake Krikorian, better known as the founder of Sling Media, was recently able to demonstrate a new Crestron home automation app for Android, and he did it on Samsung's much-hyped Galaxy Tab. The program (codenamed 'R2') is the result of 1.5 years of work, and in large part, it was built to overcome the many limitations of iOS. Specifically, he wanted to bypass iOS' Slide to Unlock screen, and he greatly preferred Android's multitasking implementation and background notification system. Eventually, we're expecting the app to sell for around $99, but plans beyond that have yet to be made. Hop on past the break for a video demonstration, and stay tuned for any information we dig up regarding a solid release date.
Sling Media loses most of its top brass
Sling Media announced today that they've lost their top executives, including co-founders (and brothers) Blake and Jason Krikorian, CEO and SVP of business development respectively. Also on the way out is Jason Hirschhorn and Ben White, President and Chief Creative Officer of Sling Media Entertainment Group, and Greg Wilkes the VP of sales. paidContent spoke with the effervescent Blake Krikorian, who said, "I'm out of there now. I want to just cut it ... it's best just to get it done because it's not easy." So much for being stoked about that EchoStar acquisition, huh?
Sling's CEO on being acquired by EchoStar: "We are going to rock"
So now that the EchoStar acquisition is public, Sling Media's CEO, Blake Krikorian sat down with SlingCommunity's Matt Whitlock and talked about how the deal is going to affect the place-shifting upstart. In his usual candid way, Krikorian said Sling is going to stay independent, and while the company is obviously going to try and leverage Dish Network's huge install base and software library, it's not going to rule out deals with other content and delivery providers -- in fact, Sling will continue to work with EchoStar's arch-rival DirecTV on things like NFL Supercast. Sadly, there are no juicy product details, but Krikorian did say that "there's some interesting things we're going to be able to cook up." Overall, Krikorian seems incredibly stoked about the acquisition -- which probably means good things for all you place-shifting hooligans out there.[Thanks, Jeff]
Slingbox Pro with built in component jacks hits the FCC, Krikorian promises HD box for January
The Sling Media family have been quite the busy bees of late. First, the TV-transporting company has just gotten approval on a brand new, unnamed variation of the Slingbox, which forgoes the external Slingbox HD Connect cable used with the Slingbox Pro (that gives you component ins / outs) and instead includes a single set of component hookups right on the box. Additionally, during a Revision3 interview with Blake Krikorian (Sling Media's CEO) the venerable Om Malik managed to get Blake to let loose new about the now-rumored Slingbox HD, which (after some arm-twisting) Krikorian says is coming in "January," though in what year he wouldn't say. Honestly, if it's any later than 2008, it's too late.Read -- Slingbox FCC reportRead -- The GigaOm Show Episode 3 - Sling It, Baby
Sling CEO sez Mac client poised to launch
There's great news afoot in the world of the Slingbox, so we'll get right to it: in an interview yesterday with The Guardian, Blake Krikorian, chief executive of Sling Media, dropped some pretty significant info on the future of the SlingPlayer and SlingBox. First, he said that the beta of the Mac client would finally be released worldwide this week -- though given that the week is just about over, we're not sure how that's possible. Second, he told the British newspaper that while Sling had already released a Windows Mobile Smartphone version and a Pocket PC version, more mobile support would be added "before the end of the year" -- look out, S60 and Palm fanatics. Finally, he discussed Sling's business plans; specifically, how Sling's recent deal to put its software in another company's box may not just be a one-off. "Slingbox is a type of product where it starts to make sense to get TV and high-speed data from one place because our product means you can get your TV anywhere," he opined. We're not sure if that means we'll see a simple re-brand, or if a whole new licensing scheme is on the table -- Blake, we're watching you.[Via Zatz Not Funny]Update: Sling gave us a ring, and it's not good news, Mac fans. It would appear The Guardian misquoted Blake, and the above with regard to the Mac client is, well, not entirely accurate. According to Sling, they're still on track for release this year of the Mac client, and do actually expect to have the public beta launched by October. But that this-week-launch thing, not gonna happen. Fret not, we have a feeling it's got more to do with them getting it right than it does with unabashedly trying to piss off the Mac community, you know?
