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Sling planning Slingplayer client for Palm OS? Update: yes!
Sneaky Sling, slipping one right under everyone's noses -- just yesterday we happened to be pondering to ourselves why they'd develop a Windows Mobile Slingplayer client and announce their intentions to develop a Symbian version, but not do one for Palm OS? (Yes, we really do think about this stuff in our spare time.) The side of the new Slingbox boxes, as we know, clearly show Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and Mobile logos, Mac and Symbian support (which is a little unfair considering neither client is out even in beta yet) -- as well as an innocuous black sticker we totally didn't even notice. That is, until our pal Dave peeled it off and revealed the Palm logo, too. Maybe it was just too soon to pre-announce, maybe maybe they're going to wait for ALP before they make a move on Palm, or maybe they just killed their Palm client plans -- we don't know, but for our many Treo using friends, you've now a bit more hope than you did yesterday for getting your place shifting on without having to finally let go of Palm.P.S. -We pinged Sling to see what's going on, but we're still waiting back for the official word back. Stay tuned for more info.P.P.S. -Did anyone else notice Sling recognized the Engadget Award they received last year? Nice! (Picture after the break.)Update: Ok, we just got off the horn with Sling. So, the same with their forthcoming Symbian client, consumers can in fact expect a Palm client! (Huzzah!) Unfortunately, Sling would not comment on whether this would be a Palm OS or ALP-based product, nor would they give any timeframe of release for it or the Symbian version. (Boo!) Sling told us they're working with partners on the two client releases (no, they wouldn't tell us which ones, either); as packaging was being completed and units were being shipped to retail, Sling apparently mis-predicted the Symbian and Mac clients' readiness (thus leaving them unstickered) -- but successfully estimated the Palm client would not be ready at the time of launch. So, what have we learned? Mac client: soon. Symbian client: probably lined up to be the next after the Mac client. Palm client: probably going to be the last.Update 2: Interesting! So a very trustworthy insider let us know that we can apparently expect the Symbian client within 30 days, and the Palm client in Q4. Believe it if you want, but it definitely make sense as to why Symbian was so close to the cutoff.
SlingPlayer Mobile heads to Symbian?
Well, lookey here: a Symbian logo hiding out in a little, out-of-the-way corner of the box for Sling Media's new Slingbox AV. If we had cash riding on it, we'd guess this means an S60 version of SlingPlayer Mobile is getting ready to roll. Don't get us wrong, a UIQ client would be cool too, but seeing how S60 handsets outnumber their UIQ counterparts by, like, a bazillion to one, we don't want to get our M600 pals too fired up until we get the full scoop.
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?
New Slingbox A/V unveiled by FCC!
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]
SlingPlayer for Windows Mobile swings out of beta
Sling Media has dropped the beta tag from its SlingPlayer software for Windows Mobile enabled devices, bringing the home-media-on-your-cellphone user experience into line with the Pocket PC version, which has been out for the past few months. The Sling guys aren't too clear on what's changed from the beta version, although we'd like to assume that the final version is more stable; further, despite our--perhaps unwise--affinity for beta software, we'll take the assumed reliability of final software over the inherent insecurities of beta software any day. As an extra incentive for those that haven't yet let their media come with them when they leave their lounge, Sling is offering free copies of the (usually $29.99) Windows Mobile and Pocket PC versions of SlingPlayer to everyone who buys and registers a Slingbox before September 16. Lets hope this final release will give the Sling team some time to take a look at bringing the Mac SlingPlayer beta into finality.
Sling opens up Mac SlingPlayer beta
Attention Mac place-shifting fans, you'll probably want to check this one out. It looks like at long last Sling Media's readying their SlingPlayer Mac version (perhaps for WWDC launch next month?), as they've opened it up for private beta over the next two weeks. So if you have a high tolerance for pain and are tired of putting up with running the Windows SlingPlayer client in Parallels, your moment may have arrived. Whereas we can't guarantee anyone will be granted entry to the beta program, you can at least rest assured knowing that we're undoubtedly only weeks away now from the proper Mac client launch -- and with a bit of luck maybe they won't charge us for the player software this time around.[Thanks, Dave & Ron]
Slingbox released in UK
Because you can never have convenient enough access to all that great BBC programming, Sling Media has just released a version of their popular Slingbox for British TV junkies. The UK model has been tweaked a bit for European viewing, with PAL tuners replacing the NTSC versions found in US boxes, and a DVB-T tuner thrown in for placeshifting that sweet, sweet OTA Freeview content. In conjunction with the UK rollout, the folks at Sling also announced an updated version of the SlingPlayer PC software, whose main upgrades include widescreen 16:9 support and a skinnable client. Slingbox: UK will initially be available exclusively at PC World's website and retail locations -- and at Currys stores in four to six weeks -- for £180, VAT included.
SlingPlayer Mobile makes its way to Smartphone
After hitting the Pocket PC scene, Sling is making good on its promise to port its SlingPlayer Mobile to other platforms -- if you call Windows Mobile Smartphone a different "platform," that is. (We don't.) Given the dearth of 3G Smartphones on the streets these days, finding a suitable device to stream glorious full-motion video to might be trickier than with the Pocket PC version, but the EV-DO equipped Q and WiFi equipped T-Mobile SDA are thankfully both on the compatibility list.
Sling updates SlingPlayer software
Normally software updates for our devices go unmentioned by the Engadget team, but Sling's new version (1.1.0.153) of their SlingPlayer software commands some attention for its new features, such as doubled resolution for local streaming (640 x 240), 16:9 support, favorites bars, skins and interface tweaks, and expanded European PAL and DVB-T support. Enjoy, SlingBoxers.[Via Zatz Not Funny]
