Sling have set a release date for the SlingPlayer Mobile software for BlackBerry smartphones, first announced at the beginning of 2008. The software, which allows you to watch streamed video from your SlingBox over a WiFi or 3G connection, will go into public beta come December 30th, at which point it will be available to download for those with BlackBerry handsets running OS 4.5.
Someone at Sling Media have been playing peek-a-boo with the company’s much-anticipated SlingLink Wireless adapter, the WiFi dongle that would let users cut the cord between their SlingCatcher and their router. The USB stick appeared overnight on Sling’s UK website but, when contacted for details, the company themselves claimed ignorance and promptly pulled the page; you can check out the cached page here.
Sling Media’s SlingCatcher has only been officially shipping since this morning, but already Sling Community have their review posted. The SlingCatcher works a little like a SlingBox in reverse, displaying content either from one of the company’s own streamers, from a computer running the supplied SlingProjector software, or from an attached storage device. The review breaks down the media player into each of these three categories, and for its primary function of gobbling up SlingBox content it looks like the SlingCatcher is a winner.
The SlingCatcher is a slight tweak in direction for Sling Media; unlike their SlingBox media streamers, whose purpose is to take what TV content you receive (whether cable, satellite or over-the-air) and funnel it out to you while you travel, the SlingCatcher gobbles up streamed content (from a SlingBox or from any number of online sources) and puts it on your TV. It was announced back at CES 2007, but pre-orders only started back in September. Now the first devices are reaching buyers for some long-awaited unboxing.
Netbooks made their typical strong showing this week, with ASUS announcing their intention to put 3G HSUPA into the Eee PC 901. Meanwhile their N10 was reviewed and deemed the first netbook “suitable for serious gaming“, a promising title indeed. Lenovo’s S10 also hit reviewers’ benches, making a strong – if at times warm – case for the smallest IdeaPad, while Packard Bell unveiled their ‘dot’, targeted much more at the budget end of the scale. They’ll have a fight on their hands, though; SlashGear reviewed the Acer Aspire One this week too, and when it comes to value for money it’s a tough one to beat.
Arguably the biggest news of the week, however, has been T-Mobile’s G1 – the first Android-based handset to be officially announced. Our sister-site AndroidCommunity.com ran a Live Blog of the whole event (and gave away a G1 to one lucky forum member), and we’ve got the photo galleries and hands-on video to show for it.
Sling Media’s Slingbox PRO-HD begins shipping today, offering high-definition 1080i place-shifted content. The $300 box has multiple inputs for a variety of sources, together with integrated ATSC and clear QAM tuners, and also supports standard-definition content. As for how well it works, the first reviews are already out and the consensus is glowing.
Two significant events on the tech calendar this week, with both CTIA Wireless and Apple’s fall iPod launch hitting sunny San Francisco. SlashGear has been at both, and huge numbers of you joined us on Tuesday morning for our by-now traditional Live Blog of Steve Jobs’ slick new PMPs. Make sure to check out our unboxing videos of the new iPod nano 4G and iPod touch 2G.
Announced early this year in CES 2008, the long awaited SlingCatcher and Slingbox Pro-HD are finally available now for pre-orders at Amazon and Slingmedia store. The Slingbox Pro-HD allows 1080i HD content streaming to your computers, household HDTVs, and 3G or WiFi connected smartphones. It’s $100 less than what we reported earlier.
Dish Network have announced their latest set-top box, the 722s High Definition PVR, which features the company’s collaboration with Sling Technologies. The 722s basically includes a Slingbox media streamer and a Slingcatcher, to show internet-based video on your HDTV. There’s also a Yahoo!-branded internet browser and a remote with a touchpad.
EchoStar, the company that owns Slingbox will officially announce its latest product next week, the SlingModem, a cable modem with built in Slingbox features. The SlingModem was soft launched in January at CES 2008. SlingModem will not be sold to end user on retail stores, rather it will be sold to cable providers. End users will have to buy or lease it from their own cable provider. EchoStar did not provide pricing and availability at this moment.
[via crave]
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