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Sling TV will have HBO before 'Game of Thrones' premieres
Add another one to the slate of Sling TV options: subscribers to the streaming TV service will be able to get HBO soon. There's no word on an exact launch date, but Sling says it will be in time for the new season of Game of Thrones and Silicon Valley, which launch on April 12th. It's not the (still Apple-exclusive for online providers) HBO Now service, it's just regular HBO, with one live channel and video on-demand access. According to the Wall Street Journal, the deal is the result of negotiations between Sling's owner Dish Network and HBO's owner Time Warner that will also keep channels like TBS, TNT and TruTV on the satellite TV network. Adding the channel to Sling's $20 per month base package with AMC, TNT, ESPN and a few others will cost subscribers an extra $15 once it's available.
Sling TV's $20 cord-cutter package comes to Xbox One
From the start, Microsoft intended for the Xbox One to be at the center of both games and TV watching. With today's launch of Sling TV on the game console, it can bring those two parts together properly for gamers in the US. With standard cable, the Xbox One relies on its HDMI passthrough and IR blasters (apps for FiOS and Time Warner Cable are either missing channels or have no live TV at all) to make sure you get everything, but with Sling, it's designed from the ground up for internet delivery so there's nothing missing. Its launch on Xbox is just in time, too -- PlayStation's Vue TV service is coming soon and rumors indicate Apple will have something similar later this year.
Sling TV opens its doors to all cord-cutters
If Sling TV piqued your interest after bagging our Best of CES award, you no doubt paid close attention to our recent preview, too. Well, now you can dive right in yourself without jonesing for an invite. Sign-ups for the $20-a-month internet TV service are now open to everyone. If you're still a little shy, then Dish is hoping that a 7 day free trial might help lubricate your decision-making process -- even then, don't forget you can cancel any time. Of course, while we reported that the service seemed fluid and robust during our trial, we're about to find out if that stays true once the service is used en masse. Have at it.
Sling TV preview: Does this $20-a-month cord-cutter service work as promised?
Sling TV, a $20-a-month service for cord-cutters, made quite the debut earlier this month, winning our Best of CES award amid a flood of attention from press and customers alike. But can the app really live up to its promise to "Take Back TV"? I've had access to the beta for a few days, allowing me to get an early look before the first batch of invitations for pre-registered customers goes out tonight at midnight ET. As far as I can tell, the answer is both yes and no. Internet TV is finally real, but it has a lot of strings left over from the old days of pay-TV, and not just because it's coming from the folks at Dish Network. Getting must-have content from the likes of ESPN has its costs, and those might make the $20 entry fee higher than you're willing to pay.
Best of CES 2015 Awards, Overall Winner: Sling TV
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-402776{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-402776, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-402776{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-402776").style.display="none";}catch(e){} You missed our Best of CES 2015 awards last week? Why? Give me one good reason why. Sorry, unacceptable. Fortunately, we're recapping all the greatest products found in Las Vegas this week, starting with our overall winner: Sling TV. The potential to revolutionize TV-watching habits (and a launch later this month) are just a few of the reasons why it deserved to win. Expect to see Sling TV a few more times as we circle back on all the individual winners from last week.
CES 2015: The secret to Sling TV's success
At first glance Sling TV's hype is all about the business model: no onerous contracts, a low entry price and access across a slew of devices, all with a bundle of content viewers have usually needed a cable TV package to get. But the truth about our Best of the Best CES winner is that while it's smaller and travels better -- this is still the same old pay-TV bundle, and constructed by the same old companies to repeat the model many have grown tired of. So why am I still leaving Las Vegas thinking I've had my first good look at TV's future? It's the experience. Sling is hardly the first built-from-the-ground-up service for watching video on the internet -- Netflix, Hulu and all the rest have been doing it with TV-quality content for quite some time. This is different because it feels like the live TV experience I'm used to, but designed in the internet age. Unlike others that tried (and have mostly failed) to execute this combo by building a foundation on the shifting sands of existing cable TV and IR blasters -- we mean you, Google TV and Xbox One -- Sling TV doesn't have or need channel numbers hanging on like vestigial limbs. It's all right here: Your live TV is an app; it's organized like one; and in all of the demos I saw, it responded like one.
Sling TV is 2015's Best of CES winner
Sling TV managed to snag two individual awards from the official Best Of CES 2015 plaudits, but it also came out with the coveted Best of the Best award. Why? Because it could well revolutionize TV habits. As Senior Editor Richard Lawler put it, Sling TV is the first non-traditional alternative that looks like it could really work -- and it's coming this month. We talked to Sling TV CEO Roger Lynch right after the win. Photos: Will Lipman
SlingPlayer support for Chromecast brings an obvious combination together
Watching Netflix or Plex streams on your Chromecast is great, but what about when the game is on? Sling has enabled its apps on iPhone, iPad and Android phones (Android tablets coming soon) to help with just that situation. Just tap the Cast button in the apps, and you can send video to Google's $35 dongle. Similar to Sling's integration with Apple TV and Roku, once the video is playing, you can use the app as a remote control, or close it and do something else while the video keeps playing. The only bad news? Chromecast support requires one of the company's newer boxes: 350, SlingTV/500 or M1. Still, both devices already make sense for frequent travelers, and now they're better together. The SlingTV is also getting a tweak, as the Android phone and iPhone apps can now control its living room UI directly, without the included remote.
SlingTV arrives with an update for Slingbox 500 set-top boxes in tow
Back in July, Sling announced that one of its first new offerings in almost two years would largely be a software refresh. The out-of-home TV-streaming outfit revealed that, in addition to a new $150 WiFi-equipped M1 option, the familiar-looking SlingTV would replace the pricier Slingbox 500. Well, the time has come, and the new wedge-shaped set-top box that's nearly identical to the 500 on the outside delivers that retooled UI as it goes on sale today. If you'll recall, part of the redesign includes "excitement ratings" from Thuuz that let you know when you should switch over to the big game based on score changes, momentum swings and analysis of the matchup. In addition to the new $300 device, folks who have already splurged for the Slingbox 500 will be privy to a software update that will bring all of the new features to their living rooms -- which includes a remote refresh that's coming to iPhone and Android apps next week.
Slingbox M1 review: A pricey streamer, but worth it for frequent travelers
It's been 10 years since Sling Media was founded, and here we stand with the fifth-generation Slingbox, the M1. Like all Slingboxes before it, the M1 can stream live and DVRed programs to your mobile devices, but this time, it's $150, making it the least expensive model yet. In particular, it's $30 cheaper than its predecessor and boasts the same feature set, but with the addition of built-in WiFi, so you don't need to park the box next to an Ethernet jack. So do the price cut and built-in WiFi make it a more worthwhile purchase? Let's find out.
Sling's 'M1' streaming box brings built-in WiFi at a lower price
It's been nearly two years since Sling unveiled new placeshifting boxes, so it's high time the company brought its products into the year 2014. The firm just announced two refreshes, including the entry-level M1, which has a smaller footprint and comes with built-in WiFi so that you don't need to park the thing near an Ethernet cable to stream live and DVR'd TV to your mobile devices. Additionally, it can now be configured using the Android/iOS app, though unfortunately, you need to use old-school component cables (maybe in the year 2016 they'll add HDMI). On the software side, meanwhile, Sling is bringing back its Mac and PC desktop apps, since users seemed to miss them. Most importantly, it's cheaper: The M1 costs $150, compared with $180 for the Slingbox 350 it's replacing.
This is the next Slingbox, with WiFi in a smaller (and probably cheaper) box
Nearly two years ago when Sling last brought out some new TV placeshifting hardware we got the interestingly-designed 350 and 500. Zatz Not Funny points out this Slingbox M1 that has appeared on the company's warranty page and in FCC filing, and despite a very plain look, it could be even more appealing to fans of watching all of their TV channels from anywhere with an internet connection. Based on the information in the FCC docs it has WiFi included. Right now getting a Slingbox with WiFi means buying the $300 500 model, and Dave Zatz wonders if this Roku-like box could have a Roku-like pricetag of below $150, which would make it the cheapest one in the lineup. Whatever the M1 turns out to be, its trip through the FCC process means we should find out for sure soon.
Live from the Engadget CES stage: Sling Media VP Michael Hawkey
CES is always a big show for big TVs, and this year's is certainly no exception. Coming up next, we'll be joined by Sling Media VP and General Manager Michael Hawkey to discuss the ways his company is bringing media to your set. January 9, 2014 4:00:00 PM EST
SlingPlayer app arrives for Windows 8, costs $15 after free trial runs out
If you happen to own a Slingbox media streamer and a Windows 8.1/RT device, it's your lucky day. After announcing last month that a SlingPlayer app for Windows was on the way, it's now in the Windows Store, ready for download. Like the iOS and Android versions, which have been out for quite some time, users can take advantage of mobile DVR control and watch either live or recorded TV on their device. Slingbox owners will receive a free, 24-hour trial, but will need to cough up $15 to continue using it.
Sling overhauls its TV-streaming app for iOS, adds Roku channel; Windows 8.1 app planned for December
Sling only refreshes its TV-streaming set-top boxes once every few years, and indeed, the current models only came out 13 months ago. So, it's a bit early for new hardware, but the company has at least been busy making over its family of apps. Today, Sling released an overhauled version of its iOS app (SlingPlayer 3.0), along with a brand new Sling channel for Roku players. Additionally, the company says it's coming out with a Windows 8.1 app, but that won't arrive until December. Starting with SlingPlayer 3.0, it ushers in a redesigned, split-screen UI, with various filters for finding the shows you want. There's also a bigger emphasis on sports this time out. For starters, it should be easier to figure out what channel a game in on; once you do, you can pull up stats, real-time scores and other factoids you might find interesting as you're following along. You'll also notice some deeper social media integration throughout the app, allowing you to post to Twitter and Facebook as they're watching TV. (Where was this feature when the finale of Breaking Bad aired?) Also, though you could watch shows on your iPad's display, you can also fling it to a TV and use your device as a remote control instead.
DirecTV GenieGo takes the fight to Sling, brings TV streaming anywhere on PC and iOS
DirecTV recently switched the name of its Nomad transcoding device to GenieGo to match its new DVRs, a change we first noticed on its Android app. On Windows PC and iOS the apps are about to get a new update that changes the name and lets users stream video from their DVRs over WiFi even when they're away from home (Mac and Android support is due later in the year.) Previously, it allowed users to stream live and recorded TV, or download recorded TV to a mobile device for viewing offline, but Slingbox-style streaming of live or recorded TV anywhere is new, and brings it closer to the device we thought it could be when it launched. Solid Signal and DBSTalk report the incoming update (not live yet, but it should pop up tomorrow) is easy to use, letting users stream recordings, start a recording so it can stream or remotely setting up the transcoder to make a mobile copy users can download once they get home. Satellite TV competitor Dish has brought deeper integration of Sling into its new Hopper DVRs, and now DirecTV has its own in-house solution, anyone thinking of switching sides? Update: The updated app is now available, check it out at the source link below.
Slingbox 500 firmware update adds SlingSync support for remote photo viewing and USB drive uploads
Your Slingbox isn't just for streaming realtime television content anymore. SlingSync, which we first heard about during CES, is now available as part of this week's firmware update, letting you upload photos and videos captured with an Android or iOS device directly to a USB drive connected to a Slingbox 500. Using SlingPlayer Mobile on your handset or tablet, you can opt for either automatic or manual transfers, enabling you to offload captured content for safekeeping. And, assuming the Slingbox 500 is connected to your television, you can then view photos and videos on your TV. Your device will need firmware number 1.3.462 in order to take advantage of SlingSync, while mobile gadgets should be using SlingPlayer Mobile version 2.4.2 for Android or 3.4.1 on iOS. Though the above feature only applies to the 500, the update also marks the return of Audio-Only mode on the Solo, Pro-HD and 500 -- the Slingbox 350 will receive that last feature in a future update.
Live from Expand: Reprogramming: How Technology is Changing the Way We Watch TV (video)
March 16, 2013 5:15 PM EDT What's next for television? We've got reps from Boxee, TiVo and Sling on hand to discuss the ways in which technology is evolving in the early 21st century.
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.
Slingboxes get My Media syncing to USB, Companion iPad app for at-home viewing
The Slingbox news hasn't stopped just because Dish made its big splash. An update to the Slingbox 500 at first, and the 350 later this year, adds a local My Media sync component that lets Android or iOS users offload photos or videos to a USB drive attached to the Slingbox -- they just have to stream their content instead of chewing up their mobile device storage. Both Slingbox 350 and 500 owners are also promised the new Slingbox Companion app you see above. As long as they're toting at least an iPad 2, they can find shows, share their tastes through social networks and use their tablet as a remote without the usual live video of the SlingPlayer app. My Media is arriving first, both as a firmware update and a new SlingPlayer release, in the weeks ahead. Would-be Companion users will need to wait until the app hits iPads in the spring.
