Slingbox -- Engadget

Mac SlingPlayer Public Beta to be released on Halloween!

by Cyrus Farivar posted Oct 25th 2006 at 2:49PM

Well folks, we've finally got a date for the Mac SlingPlayer client: October 31 (well, for the public beta at least). So Mac users, while you're waiting for trick-or-treaters at your front door, kick back at your desk and take the new SlingPlayer for a spin. Sharon Rylander, Sling's beta program manager writes that if some act of God prevents this release from happening: "I will setup a mini-private beta on the 31st for anyone who has posted on Sling Community and is willing to abide by our beta rules. In other words, for all of you who have been hanging out here at Sling Community, waiting all these months, I'm guaranteeing you a download on the 31st." So there you go.

[Thanks, TieGuy]

Engadget's relaunch giveaways: Slingbox PRO winner!

by Ryan Block posted Oct 19th 2006 at 5:59PM

Last week we put our final Slingbox -- a Slingbox PRO -- out to give away, and we've got a winner! G-Man is taking this one home, but don't feel sore, we've still got plenty more giveaways to come. Thanks for entering everybody, and be sure you've entered our other contests, as well!

Engadget's relaunch giveaways: Slingbox PRO!

by Ryan Block posted Oct 12th 2006 at 6:05PM

Last week we put a Slingbox AV out to give away, and we've got a winner! Randy P is taking home that AV, but today we're giving away the new top of the line Slingbox, the Slingbox PRO. This thing pretty much does it all, including high def, so today in order to have your chance to take home a PRO we want you to leave us a comment telling us what kind of phone (or laptop) you have that you're planning on using this thing with. You'll have until next Wednesday (the 18th), then we'll pick the winner at random, assuming s/he follows the rules:

You may enter other Engadget contests, however...
You may only enter this contest once; if you enter more than once on this particular contest post you'll be automatically disqualified and barred from all future giveaways. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You may enter future Engadget relaunch giveaway contests though!
You can only win once. (If you win and then try to go for a second prize during our relaunch giveaways, you'll be automatically disqualified, etc.)
This contest is open to the US only, sorry!
You will be shipped your PRO when all the contests are up, so sit tight!

Good luck, and be sure you've entered our other contests, as well!

Sling Media's Slingbox HD Connect up for pre-order

by Darren Murph posted Oct 12th 2006 at 3:55PM

Now that you've had time to let the barrage of new Slingboxen news sink in a bit, you may be eying that crimson-colored Slingbox PRO to use with that oh-so-stunning HD service. Trouble is, Sling Media's making us HD junkies fork over an extra $50 to gain 1080i support from high def tuners / DVRs -- but at least we now know (almost) exactly when we can start streaming that HD goodness to our PCs, laptops, and bevy of mobile devices. Sling has just now opened up the pre-order gates for the HD Connect dongle via its own online store, and while the brief description doesn't tell us much more than we already know (still no HDMI support, folks), those who get their orders in now can expect to start tapping the full potential of that snazzy Slingbox PRO in early November.

[Thanks, Aaron]

Slingbox PRO hands-on

by Ryan Block posted Oct 10th 2006 at 11:40AM

So we've had a Slingbox Pro kickin' around the joint for a couple weeks now, one of the three new Slingboxen released late last month; we figured it was time to let you know whether it was worth plunking down for, especially if you are already a current owner. So let's get on with it.

The Pro, much like the classic Slingbox, features an analog cable input, as well as an S-Video input. But unlike the previous Slingbox, the Pro features an analog cable passthrough (thanks!), as well as composite and S-Video ins (and their respective passthroughs, as well). Of course, the Pro in the title less likely comes from all those standard def inputs, and more likely from the long awaited HD support the unit now features. There are just two catches, though. First: it's not HDMI -- which we can live with. Second: to use the high def, you have to pay another $50 for the dongle, bringing your price up to $300 total. Read on for the full review.

Continue reading Slingbox PRO hands-on

Engadget's relaunch giveaways: Slingbox AV!

by Ryan Block posted Oct 5th 2006 at 4:48PM

Last week we put a Slingbox Tuner on the block to give away, and today we've got us a winner! JD Schut's the man going home with one of these suckers, but we've got more. For example, today we're hooking you up with the new Slingbox AV, the Slingbox designed for set-top box or DVR users. We want to give it to you, but first you've got to leave us a comment telling us what kind of box you're currently using which you plan to hook this thing into. (Don't be shy, you can tell us if you hate it, too.) You'll have until next Wednesday (the 11th), then we'll pick the winner at random, assuming s/he follows the rules:

You may enter other Engadget contests, however...
You may only enter this contest once; if you enter more than once on this particular contest post you'll be automatically disqualified and barred from all future giveaways. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You may enter future Engadget relaunch giveaway contests though!
You can only win once. (If you win and then try to go for a second prize during our relaunch giveaways, you'll be automatically disqualified, etc.)
This contest is open to the US only, sorry!
You will be shipped your AV when all the contests are up, so sit tight!

Good luck, and be sure you've entered our other contests, as well!

Engadget's relaunch giveaways: Slingbox Tuner!

by Ryan Block posted Sep 28th 2006 at 1:13PM

Last week we put two Slingboxes up on the block to give away, and today we've got some winners! Pete and Andy, come on down! (To all the Petes and Andys who entered -- if you didn't get an email from us, it wasn't you, sorry!) So, you no doubt heard about yesterday's big Slingbox announcements, and we've got a little something to give away here; want to get yourself a new Slingbox Tuner? (That'd be the Slingbox meant for users who want to place-shift their analog cable.) We want to give it to you, but first you've got to leave us a comment telling us who your analog provider is (or if you're rocking it OTA) -- feel free to leave a few words about 'em. Hell, vent if you must. We feel your pain, and we hope a Slingbox Tuner might alleviate some of it. You'll have until next Wednesday (the 4th), then we'll pick the winner at random, assuming s/he follows the other rules:

You may enter other Engadget contests, however...
You may only enter this contest once; if you enter more than once on this particular contest post you'll be automatically disqualified and barred from all future giveaways. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You may enter future Engadget relaunch giveaway contests though!
You can only win once. (If you win and then try to go for a second prize during our relaunch giveaways, you'll be automatically disqualified, etc.)
This contest is open to the US only, sorry!
You will be shipped your Tuner when all the contests are up, so sit tight!

Good luck, and be sure you've entered our other contests, as well!

Slingbox PRO, Slingbox AV, and Slingbox Tuner get official

by Peter Rojas posted Sep 27th 2006 at 4:34PM

Details about all three of these already leaked out over the past couple of weeks, but Sling Media is formally introducing three new Slingboxes, the Slingbox PRO, the Slingbox AV, and the Slingbox Tuner. All three perform the same basic function -- they let you stream TV from your cable box (digital or analog), satellite receiver, or DVR to a computer or mobile device -- it's just that each is aimed at different segments of the market.

The Slingbox PRO is their new flagship model, with additional inputs and outputs so you can control up to four audio or video sources (sadly, if you want to use high-def component inputs you need to drop an extra fifty bucks on a dongle they're calling the HD Connect -- there is no option for HDMI). The PRO also supports 16:9 widescreen aspect ratios. Retail price will be $249.99
The Slingbox AV is aimed at users who have a digital cable set-top box, satellite receiver, or DVR, and don't want or need to control any other A/V sources. The AV also supports 16:9 widescreen aspect ratios and will retail for $179.99.
The Slingbox Tuner is specifically for people who have analog cable and will retail for $179.99.

Click on for pics of the Slingbox AV and Slingbox Tuner.

Continue reading Slingbox PRO, Slingbox AV, and Slingbox Tuner get official

Slingbox Pro and Tuner to be released October 22?

by Cyrus Farivar posted Sep 26th 2006 at 2:27PM

While you've seen the first round of Slingbox photos that we posted in the wee hours this morning, more details are starting to emerge, namely that the Slingbox Pro and Tuner versions will be released on October 22. We got this luscious piece of intel from a devoted Sling fan who acquired it after spotting the AV at a Best Buy in Augusta, Georgia, and then subsequently grilled the staff on the availability of the Pro and Tuner. As we mentioned previously, the FCC confidentiality agreement lifts on September 28, so perhaps this new release date is what we should be expecting from Blake & Co.?

[Thanks, Dennis]

Slingbox AV spotted in the wild!

by Ryan Block posted Sep 26th 2006 at 3:23AM

Ah, the Slingbox AV -- a not so wily creature which has appeared not only on the FCC twice, but now on the internets in some hot Slingbox-gone-wild nudity. We're not sure why the AV is so much more popular a leak than the Tuner or Pro, but boy can we not wait for this Thursday.

Continue reading Slingbox AV spotted in the wild!

Sling to launch Slingbox Tuner, AV, Pro

by Ryan Block posted Sep 21st 2006 at 3:51PM

It apparently slipped beneath our FCC-radar, but a posting on Sling Community shows some interesting developments according to FCC filings. Sling Media's apparently planning at least three new devices (here, here, and here), the Tuner, AV, and Pro. All are listed with confidentiality agreements, but here's what we know, between the FCC and the forums: the SB220-100 tuner will supposedly just have coax in and out; the SB240-100 A/V is the one we saw a week ago today, with S-Video and composite ins (and is apparently not equipped with a tuner); finally, the SB200-100 Pro supposedly has HDMI, a coax tuner (like the original Slingbox), composite, component, and S-Video inputs and outputs. The FCC confidentiality agreement goes up next Thursday, the 28th, so it would seem either Sling's going to have some announcements to make, or the FCC's going to have some announcements to make for them.

[Thanks, KC]

Engadget's relaunch giveaways: some Slingboxes

by Ryan Block posted Sep 20th 2006 at 7:04PM

For yesterday's give giveaways kickoff we started things off by giving away the first of our Zunes -- which, we'd like to mention is still open to contestants until Sunday. Today, however, we're giving away a Slingbox. Hell, let's make it two Slingboxes. In fact, we're going to give away some Sling gear every week for a few weeks, with progressively more impressive stakes. To be entered to win a Slingbox today, just leave us a comment with your favorite television show (or series, or sporting event, or what have you). Seriously, that's all you have to do. You'll have until next Tuesday (the 26th), then we'll pick the winner at random, assuming s/he follows the rules:

You may enter other Engadget contests, however...
You may only enter this once; if you enter more than once on this particular contest post you'll be automatically disqualified and barred from all future giveaways. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You may enter future Engadget relaunch giveaway contests if you don't win this one!
You can only win once. (If you win and go for a second prize for our relaunch giveaways, you'll be automatically disqualified, etc.)
Contest is open to US only. Sorry, everybody, we promise we'll do some international gear soon!
You will be shipped your Slingbox in a few weeks when all our contests are over. Thanks for your patience!

Ok everybody, good luck!

Sling CEO sez Mac client poised to launch

by Cyrus Farivar posted Sep 15th 2006 at 1:27PM

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?

New Slingbox A/V unveiled by FCC!

by Paul Miller posted Sep 14th 2006 at 1:04PM

Sure, the FCC has never been in the business of snapping glamour pics, and those Slingbox kids have always been a bit "edgy" in the design department, but we can't say we'd find this new Slingbox A/V (or Slingbox AV, if you will) attractive anywhere other than on a Babylon 5 set. Hopefully it'll look better on second glance. On the slightly more objective and relevant front, the new box is a whole lot smaller than its predecessor, and we're guessing there's some new processing power to compete with the higher-res HAVA. Sadly, the manual included with the FCC docs makes no mention of WiFi capabilities, but we're not giving up hope just yet. We also assume this little bugger will come packing support for the Mobile and Mac versions of SlingPlayer, but otherwise we'll just have to wait and see just what Sling Media has planned for this device besides the oligatory composite I/O and S-Video ports.

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

HTC Excalibur / O2 Xda Cosmo reviewed

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 11th 2006 at 8:34AM

If the Boy Genius' soiled-trow, hands-on of the HTC Excalibur had you gasping for more, then peep the full review of the O2 Xda Cosmo just posted at the::unwired. Their unit from O2 Germany came ready to go with Windows Mobile 5.0 and AKU3 which, besides some low-level tweaks, brought a new Internet Sharing application in replacement of HTCs Wireless Modem app. The reviewer who admittedly comes from a more traditional GSM phone background (read: no real experience with a QWERTY/Z Smartphones or BlackBerrys) found the keyboard confusing for "regular phone stuff" like entering a phone number or searching for contacts -- apparently preferring T9-style input instead. Still, he was stoked by this quad-band GSM phones WiFi, GPRS, and EDGE data connectivity options and "satisfied" by performance under normal usage or while watching live, Slingboxed TV. However, the reviewer then goes on to worry unnecessarily about the OMAP 850 processor getting overloaded if say, using it for GPS, watching live TV, and listening to audio over Bluetooth all at the same time. Hell, why not agonize over the risk posed by it getting lodged in your skull when used near certain supermodels? Geesh. Bottom line: if you're looking for a WinMo device with keyboard and "all the latest and greatest technologies" (well, almost all) then the Cosmo is a "great device."