So, you've been desperately searching and hoping for a way to connect your SlingCatcher into your wireless network router, right? Well back at CES in January, the company showed off a little accessory called the SlingLink Wireless -- a device that would do just that. Unfortunately, details were scarce. Things may be changing, however, as the adapter just appeared on Sling's UK site looking all fancy and official. There doesn't seem to be any indication of a price (last we heard it was $49.99), release date, or regional availability, and when we contacted Sling, they didn't seem to know much more than what the page conveys... and then pulled the info from the site. Oh well -- thank goodness for Google's cache.

[Thanks, Brian]

We knew the SlingCatcher was sneaking out into the wild, and hey -- we just snagged one at retail in Chicago. We're busy tearing into all the projector, Sling streaming, and media streaming features, but we figured we'd throw up the unboxing photos right away so you can get a feel for Sling's latest, long-awaited box.

It's been over a year and half since Sling first announced the SlingCatcher, but the mythical streamer is finally, finally here -- it's now officially for sale on Sling's site and at other major retailers. You already know most of the details about the $299 box -- Slingbox playback, SlingProjector computer streaming, extensive codec support including XviD, eventual Sling.com content delivery -- so we'll just let you hit the order page, but rest assured we'll be tearing this thing apart when our test unit arrives.

After seemingly endless delays, it looks like the SlingCatcher is finally making its way into the world, as evidenced by this grainy unboxing at the SlingCommunity forums. Sure, it looks exactly the same as the prepro boxes we've toyed with, but we won't lie -- we've been waiting for this box with breathless anticipation ever since it was announced at CES 2007, and combined with the recent launch of the Sling 2.0 software, the Slingbox PRO-HD, and the seemingly-imminent launch of the Sling.com video portal, Sling's ending the year strong. Click on for a few more pics, and don't worry -- we'll be blowing this thing out as soon as we get our hands on one.

[Thanks, Christopher]

Sling Media has a history of not disappointing, and while we were admittedly bummed to see Clip+Sling omitted from SlingPlayer 2.0, it looks like that one gripe is about to be remedied. If you'll recall, said feature was originally announced way back at the front end of 2007, and now select users are receiving e-mails announcing the launch of a private beta program. The Sling.com portal promises to "give users access to a premier library of content from top TV networks, movie studios, sports leagues and websites," and reportedly, it'll let folks "grab snippets of television content, upload them to the Sling site and create playlists and feeds that can be viewed and subscribed to by others." Is that YouTube / Hulu / Joost / et al. quaking in their boots, or are we just happy it's Friday?

Update: Sling pinged us to say that the actual Clip+Sling functionality was still in progress and wouldn't be a part of the initial Sling.com portal. It's still in the works, though -- shame it won't happen sooner, though.

You already witnessed our unboxing and hands-on with Sling Media's Slingbox PRO-HD, and if you're anxious to know when you can grab one of your own, how's about right now? Sling has revealed that its $299.99 high-def box can be purchased this very instant from its website and other B&M retailers, and for Canadians feeling a touch left out, take heart -- you all will be able to purchase the unit "in the coming weeks" for $329.99.

We were told that Sling Media was getting ready to ship the Slingbox PRO-HD, and looky here -- one just showed up, looking just slightly less imposing than in the press photos. The $300 box isn't a huge departure from previous Sling gear apart from the inclusion of component and coax digital audio inputs and outputs, but combined with the just-released Windows SlingPlayer 2.0 software, it's the first Slingbox that can stream HD video. Setup with our TiVo HD was painless, and after some quick configuration we were watching pretty nice-looking 1080i video on our desktop, complete with the new ability to pause and rewind up to 60 minutes back. We did notice that the audio and video had some sync problems -- and when we tried connecting the older Mac SlingPlayer client the video looked great for SD but the audio sync issues made it almost unwatchable. Given how rock-solid our other Slingboxes have been, we're certain Sling will sort this out eventually, but it's something to keep in mind before you drop three bills right off the bat.

Apart from that, there's only so much left to say about the Sling experience that's particularly new: the integrated program guide is extremely nice and much appreciated but not earth-shattering, and the new Sling Accounts single-sign-on system is handy but probably should have been implemented from the start. We're not harshing the product, mind you, it's just that the Sling system is so solid at this point (or will be, if the audio issues are resolved soon) that there's simply not much to say -- if you're in the market and have the cash, this is the box to buy. We'll save the detailed blowout for the SlingCatcher -- we'll be honest, we're dying to get our hands on that thing.

Not that any of you would be shy from running beta software, but at least now your milquetoastian friends can experience Sling's latest, Windows-based SlingPlayer 2.0 without fear of the beta baddies. Still no Clip+Sling sharing, but the new 60-minute buffer, EPG, and on-screen SlingRemote certainly makes this a worthwhile update. We've also got good new for those of you waiting for the SlingBox PRO-HD to ship -- Sling says "any day now" in accordance to their late September pre-order promise. Righteous.

[Thanks, Martin]

In case you haven't noticed, today's a pretty big day for Sling Media. Not monumentally large or anything, but decently sized, we reckon. Of course, if you're a placeshifter and a UIQ user, you may disagree vehemently. Announced today, said company has unveiled a SlingPlayer Mobile version compatible with the UIQ interface on Symbian OS phones from Motorola and Sony Ericsson. For those out of the loop, said app will give Slingbox users the ability to "watch and control their home TV from a network-connected mobile phone." In related news, the freshest SlingPlayer for Windows 2.0 has launched as a public beta, and with it comes a live video buffer, "The Guide," SlingRemote and a bevy of different viewing modes. Take advantage of that broadband connection while you still can -- get to downloadin'!

[Via SlingCommunity]
Read - SlingPlayer Mobile for UIQ
Read - SlingPlayer for Windows 2.0 public beta

Check it, placeshifters -- two new must-have boxes have just popped up for pre-order on Sling's website and Amazon's online marketplace. Sling Media's awfully exciting SlingCatcher and the sleek Slingbox PRO-HD are now ready to be loved for $299.99 apiece, though neither site gives any indication of ship dates. Still, with the holiday season just around the bend, we'd expect to see 'em both out before too long.

[Via ZatzNotFunny]
Read - SlingCatcher pre-order
Read - Slingbox PRO-HD

SlingPlayer 2.0 was announced way back at CES 2007 (and, uh, re-announced this year) and it looks you'll finally be able to get a taste, public beta style -- but only a taste, since it's missing its most hyped feature, Clip+Sling. If you'll recall, C+S was supposed to let you nab up to 5 minutes of content and share it online with your friends, but it looks like only the local DVR features have made the cut, so while we're still excited about the new 60-minute buffer and EPG, it's not all we've been promised. On the bright side, the holdup isn't technical, it's legal, so once all the appropriate networked partnerships and contracts have been signed, you'll be clipping and slinging like there's no tomorrow. Other minor changes include a tweaked UI (skin support has been dropped) and (finally!) the death of Slingbox Finder IDs in favor of user accounts. Windows-only for now, with a video demo after the break -- let us know how you're doing in comments!

Read - Slingcommunity announcement
Read - Dave Zatz's take

We had a feeling it was coming any day now, but now we have confirmation that Sling won't be leaving iPhone and iPod touch users in the lurch when it comes to streaming TV to their devices. The bad news is the software they showed us was pre-alpha proof-of-concept, and their whole situation is hamstrung by the fact that Apple hasn't officially accepted them into the developer program yet. So what we've seen is basically an app developed out of bounds for jailbroken devices -- thus it goes without saying that Sling won't be releasing it until they can do so legitimately. But assuming all goes well, they do intend to get it out the door by sometime this fall or winter. No word yet on the Android release. Video of the app in action after the break.

Although DISH Network's previous quarter wasn't anything to write home about, it sounds like the satcaster (EchoStar, technically) isn't going to allow its set-top line to grow stale in the process. During the recent Team Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, DISH's CEO Charlie Ergen reiterated that it would be beaming out "more than 100 national HD channels" by the end of 2008, and he also made mention that the EchoStar 11 satellite would lift off in July. Most interesting, however, was all the talk about the new STBs. The forthcoming ViP 722 will be the first HD DVR from the outfit with loads of Sling technology built in -- not too shocking considering the recent acquisition. Additionally, the box is said to feature an all new interface and the ability to browse to (select) websites, double as a SlingCatcher and even handle Clip & Sling duties. There's plenty more where this came from, so be sure and hit the read link when you've got some spare time for reading.

[Via GizmoLovers]

We've been waiting to get our hands on the SlingCatcher ever since it was announced at CES in 2007 (and re-announced at this past CES) but it looks like we'll have to wait a little longer -- Gregg Wilkes, Sling's VP of sales, has said the product won't be released this quarter as scheduled, but rather sometime later this year. Sling hasn't made this announcement publicly, though: Gregg simply emailed a would-be customer his apologies, saying Sling was committed to providing a "compelling and enjoyable user experience and value proposition," and that the SlingCatcher is still being refined. He also mentioned that Sling's recent acquisition by EchoStar has gummed up the works a bit, but that "all indications point" to a SlingCatcher release in 2008. So reassuring considering the product is already a year late. We talked to our friends at Sling and while they wouldn't comment directly on the contents of the email, they did say the SlingCatcher will only be released when the company "is confident it's designed to our high standards." Yep, that's a delay. Full email exchange after the break.

[Thanks, Christopher]

First spotted in FCC pics back in August, the Slingbox SOLO has finally hit the review circuit. Lacking the hardware-assisted HD streaming output of the just announced Slingbox PRO HD, the SOLO brings the original Slingbox Pro's HD inputs and VGA-res output to a dongle-less existence. The people at PC Magazine hooked up up the 'box and found plenty to admire in Sling's software and easy setup, pausing only to lament the short included ethernet cable and lack of WiFi. With its $180 MSRP, this Slingbox is a good option when your HDTV is far away, at least until the PRO HD hits the streets.