Fresh off this morning’s Verizon/Sling partnership announcement, Sling took some time to show us its best and brightest. We got a chance to see the Windows Phone 7 version of its Sling Player app in action, and were definitely impressed with the quality of the streaming video. Sling mentioned that the WP7 version of its software delivers the highest-quality content out of all of its mobile apps, and based on what we saw today we’re certainly not going to argue with that contention.

We also had a chance to spend some time with Sling’s iPad App which, suitably, offers a much richer and more immersive Sling experience than is available on any of its smaller-format apps. Video quality was amazing, and choosing content from the on-board channel guide was easier than using a full size TV and remote.

The company was more or less mum about their upcoming Verizon partnership, but did confirm that they will be offering a subscription based service which will come complete with a totally unique-to-Verizon Sling box unit that will be either subsidized or free depending on the specifics of the Sling subscription that the user opts in to. More details on that will certainly be emerging in the coming weeks and months, but expect to see it hit the streets sometime in late Winter/early Spring.

Read on to see a video of the player in action and our image gallery!

Sling Media’s popular placeshifting app is now available on the Apple iPad. The company first announced the eventual arrival of its iPad offering back in March of this year, and the task was apparently a steep one. Almost eight months later, however, SlingPlayer Mobile for iPad is finally here. Owners of Apple’s iPad can now stream live television and movies from their homes to the iPad over Wi-Fi or 3G. Content recorded on a TiVo or DVR can be streamed as well, and SlingPlayer is capable of remotely controlling a wide variety of cable and satellite boxes. The sizable 9.7-inch display on the iPad makes it a perfect candidate for the app, and early reports from users are definitely complimentary. SlingPlayer Mobile for iPad is available immediately in Apple’s App Store for $29.99.

[Via Dave Zatz]

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Sling Media announced Tuesday that its popular SlingPlayer Mobile software is now available for Windows Phone 7 devices. The mobile app will allow Windows Phone 7-powered handsets like the HTC Surround to stream live TV content from a home television via Wi-Fi or 3G. Sling Media uses a hardware component — a Slingbox — to capture signals from a user’s cable or satellite box and rebroadcast the content over the Internet using a private stream. Slingboxes can also stream content recorded with a DVR using the same technology. SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Phone 7 is available immediately in the Windows Marketplace for $29.99. Hit the jump for Sling’s full press release.

Foster City, Calif. — Nov. 9, 2010— Sling Media, Inc., a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), today announced the availability of SlingPlayer Mobile™ for Windows Phone 7.  As a Microsoft Launch App Partner, Sling Media is making the new SlingPlayer Mobile software available for purchase and download from the Windows Marketplace on the same day as North American mobile carriers introduce the new handsets in their retail stores.

“The big story about SlingPlayer Mobile on Windows Phone 7 is the quality of the user experience,” said John M. Paul, executive vice president of Products at Sling Media. “From the fully revamped user interface to the clear, sharp video images, customers are going to thoroughly enjoy watching TV on their Windows Phone 7 handsets.”

How it Works
When connected to a Slingbox SOLO or Slingbox PRO-HD via the Internet, the award-winning SlingPlayer Mobile software makes it easy to watch your home TV on a variety of handsets. Now Slingbox® owners with Windows Phone 7 devices can change channels, control their DVRs and watch their favorite shows anywhere they have a 3G or Wi-Fi internet connection.

Pricing and Availability
SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Phone 7 is available now for $29.99 (US), £22.99 (UK), €21.10 plus local VAT (Europe), and CN$31.99 (Canada) from the Windows Marketplace, accessible on any Windows Phone 7 handset or via the internet at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/apps/default.aspx.  SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Phone 7 can be purchased, downloaded and installed in minutes. Initially, the software will be available only in English, with other languages to follow soon.

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Slingbox owners rocking the latest Android handset will be happy to know that SlingPlayer has made its official debut in the Android Market. Available for $30, the app will allow you to Sling over 3G, 4G, and WiFi and is as full featured as its iPhone counterpart; as it has support for local channels, local sports coverage, video on demand, pay per view, and home DVR control. If you are an Android-toting, Slinbox-owning resident of Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom or the United States, head over to the Android Market and get your Sling on.

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Ten months after we broke the news on the WiFi-only SlingPlayer Mobile for the iPhone, it looks like AT&T and Sling have finally come to terms on a 3G version of the video streaming product. During these intervening months, SlingMedia has developed a 3G optimized version (read: it won’t kill AT&T’s network) of SlingPlayer Mobile that AT&T has been testing since mid-December. Sling’s well-written code coupled with AT&T loosening grip on the application requirements for its 3G network has lead to success as AT&T announced today that it has given the rubber stamp of approval to Sling’s 3G mobile app. No word on when this 3G version will hit the App store but we are reaching out to Sling to see if we can get a ballpark date. We’ve been using a 3G-enabled SlingPlayer iPhone application for a while, and we’re not sure how we’d live without it, so this is really, really, exciting. Hit the jump for the full press release.

AT&T and Sling Media Collaborate on SlingPlayer Mobile app for 3G Mobile Broadband Network

SlingPlayer Mobile app optimized to conserve wireless spectrum

DALLAS, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — AT&T* today announced that its 3G mobile broadband network will support Sling Media, Inc.’s SlingPlayer Mobile™ app.

Sling Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS), originally developed its wireless app to make efficient use of 3G network bandwidth – and to conserve the finite wireless spectrum available to the wireless industry. Since mid December 2009, AT&T has been testing the app and has recently notified Sling Media — as well as Apple – that the optimized app can run on its 3G network.  The SlingPlayer Mobile app already is available for use today on AT&T’s Wi-Fi network, the nation’s largest with more than 20,000 hotspots.

“Just as we’ve worked with Sling Media in this instance, we look forward to collaborating with other developers so that mobile customers can access a wider, more bandwidth-sensitive, and powerful range of applications in the future,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “Collaboration with developers like Sling Media ensures that all apps are optimized for our 3G network to conserve wireless spectrum and reduce the risk that an app will cause such extreme levels of congestion that they disrupt the experience of other wireless customers. Our focus continues to be on delivering the nation’s most advanced mobile broadband experience and giving our customers the widest possible array of mobile applications.”

“We’re delighted with AT&T’s decision to approve the SlingPlayer Mobile app on their 3G network,” said John Gilmore, senior vice president and general manager at Sling Media.  “SlingPlayer Mobile on AT&T’s 3G network gives customers the best experience possible for watching their home TV while on the go.”

AT&T will provide developers with wireless network optimization requirements for video and other applications by the end of the first quarter via its AT&T Developers Program website (http://developer.att.com).

AT&T’s announcement today further demonstrates its commitment to fostering the development of a wide range of mobile applications for smartphones, quick-messaging devices and other mobile devices.  In January, AT&T hosted its fourth annual Developers Summit, where it announced a range of initiatives to support app development.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

We popped over to Sling Media’s booth here at CES and took the new Sling Touch Control 100 for a spin. Overall, it’s pretty impressive and nifty, albeit a bit large, but the big, vivid screen makes up for it. Now, instead of picking up your heavy arm, grabbing the remote control and pushing all those buttons, you can set this thing down beside you and navigate your DVR or Blu-ray player over your wireless network with just the touch of a finger. The layout and set-up is very similar to what you’d see online for navigating content, so it’s quite intuitive. But if you miss that good-old-fashioned remote control look, you can get that up on the screen, too. Hit the break for the video demo!

Sling is coming to Vegas with four new placeshifting media devices that will allow you to sling your HD content around your house, control your Sling media with the touch of a finger and, in typical slingbox fashion, access your content on portable media devices while on the go. The four products include the following:

• Slingbox 700U – a traditional Slingbox that will connect to an internet-connected set top box via USB
• Sling Monitor 150 – a remote monitor which displays HD streaming media from an in-network Slingbox
• Sling Receiver 300 – a companion device which will stream HD media from an in-network slingbox to a remote TV
• Sling Touch 100 – a touch-enabled remote control with a UI based upon the SlingGuide electronic program guide and the ability to control SlingGuide-enabled DVRs and most line of sight controlled AV equipment

All four devices are targeted for television service providers so they may attract new customers and are not for general consumption. We know, we know. Hit the jump for the full press release and press photos of each device.Sling Media Unveils Suite of New OEM Products at CES 2010

Innovative new placeshifting products improve time to market, simplify installation for television service providers

Las Vegas, Nev., USA – Jan. 6, 2010 – SlingMedia, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), today unveiled four products as part of an expanded strategy targeted at television service providers and consumer electronics manufacturers. Leveraging the award-winning technology in its core Slingbox® product, Sling Media has created elegant, easy-to-install new products that deliver video placeshifting, allowing anyone to enjoy their video around their home or around the world.

New Sling Media OEM Products Unveiled at CES 2010:

* Slingbox 700U
* Sling Receiver 300
* Sling Monitor 150
* Sling Touch Control 100

“For the past 12 months, we have been fine tuning an all new product lineup. We believe manufacturers and TV service providers realize that building Sling Media products and services into their offerings is the best way to acquire new customers and delight their current ones,” said John M. Paul, executive vice president of Products at Sling Media. “We are open for OEM business and excited to work with any television service provider or CE manufacturer to integrate our products and technology to bring placeshifting to the mainstream.”

About the Slingbox 700U

The Slingbox 700U is the fastest way of adding award-winning Slingbox capabilities to an existing Internet-connected set-top-box with a USB port such as the EchoStar 722K. Using a simple connection, an existing HD set-top box can be quickly SlingLoaded™, giving viewers the ability to watch HDTV via the web-based SlingPlayer anywhere in the world on a PC, Macintosh or smart mobile device.

About the Sling Receiver 300

The Sling Receiver 300 is a companion to a SlingLoaded™ set-top box such as the EchoStar SlingLoaded 922 HD DVR that can deliver an HD DVR’s full HD video stream to any other television in the home using a home network, eliminating the need to run cables or purchase a second HD DVR.

About the Sling Monitor 150

The Sling Monitor 150 is a light-weight, portable flat screen display that wirelessly takes a viewer’s primary HD DVR video experience to any location in the home, eliminating the need to run cables or purchase a second DVR. Now viewers can watch HD programming in places they may not have installed a second TV like the kitchen, office or workshop.

About the Sling Touch Control 100

The Sling Touch Control 100 is a next-generation, touch-screen remote control with an interface based on SlingMedia’s popular SlingGuide™ electronic program guide. It interacts with and controls SlingGuide-enabled DVRs as well as most line-of-sight controlled audio-visual devices.

SlingMedia will be demonstrating these new technologies in Booth 9021 at the Consumer Electronics Show 2010 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. we’ll let you know what we think of them.

From what we have seen it looks like webOS is an all-new environment, so it would need an all-new SPM which would not be a small task. At this time we’re taking a wait and see approach to webOS. When it ships we’ll watch the adoption rate and decide if it warrants developing SPM for webOS or not. Keep in mind it has currently been announced for one device (the Pre) on one carrier (#3 and currently falling) so it remains to be seen if and when it appears on additional devices and carriers for the worldwide market and achieves a significant market share.

Burn! Whether his view on Sprint, Palm and its webOS is shared by other member of Sling Media remains to be seen but if it is indeed the consensus, then a mobile version of Sling Player for webOS may be a long time in the making.

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

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As BlackBerry users sit patiently and wait for the official BlackBerry beta program to FINALLY get under way, Sling Media has just cranked out a new build of its Windows Mobile application with a host of improvements. Most notably, SlingPlayer Mobile now supports 16 additional handsets sporting a range of display resolutions that had previously been unsupported. Is your weapon of choice among the list of newly-supported phones? Look no further:

• AT&T HTC Fuze
• AT&T LG Incite
• AT&T Pantech Duo
• AT&T Samsung Epix
• HP iPAQ 910
• Palm Treo Pro
• Sony Ericsson X1
• Sprint HTC Touch Diamond
• Sprint HTC Touch Pro
• Sprint Samsung ACE
• Sprint Treo 800w
• Verizon HTC Touch Pro
• Verizon Samsung Omnia
• Verizon Samsung Saga
• Verizon XV6900
• Motorola Q9h

The folks over at Sling sure have been busy lately but you know we’re never satisfied… What’s up with an iPhone app fellas? Oh well, hopefully we’ll get there soon enough. In the meantime if you’re a Slingbox owner with one of the devices listed above, definitely click through to the download page and get slinging.

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Sling launched its video portal website to the public today, finally putting its private beta phase to bed. The new Sling.com portal offers full length TV episodes and movies, short clips and professional, independently produced web videos. Sling has partnered with large content providers like Hulu (NBC/Fox), CBS, PBS, BBC America, Warner, Sony and MGM, as well as independent Web video sites like College Humor, G4 and The Onion. Similar to Hulu, each video has short advertisements interspersed throughout the content. The portal also incorporates some social networking features that allow users to create profiles, mark videos as favorites and share their choices with other users. What sets the Sling portal apart from its competition though, is the ability of Slingbox owners to stream content from their Slingboxes via a web browser. The ability to stream live content is only supported on Windows machines and requires a browser plug-in compatible only with Internet Explorer or Firefox browser for the time being. Mac support is not currently available but is in the works. Jump on over to Sling’s website and let us know what you think of this latest addition to the online video streaming market.

[Via Cnet]

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Two short weeks since the Slingbox PRO-HD and Slingcatcher were first made available for pre-order, the PRO-HD box is now alive and shipping. It’s probably safe to say that after a delay or two, the team made sure that it got this puppy out the door ASAP. For $299 ($329 for our Canadian buddies) you can be streaming 720p or 1080i high definition goodness to just about anywhere your little heart desires. The Slingbox PRO-HD also features an integrated digital tuner and plenty of inputs to accommodate your DVR, digital cable, satellite receiver and DVD player. The release also coincides with a major software revision for Windows XP and Vista users. SlingPlayer 2.0 includes plenty of updates and new features, not the least of which is much needed live video buffer that allows viewers to pause, rewind and fast forward live streams a la DVR. There is also a great new guide feature that provides a built-in programming guide outside the player window, allowing you to easily browse program schedules as you stream. Today is a big day for our pals at Sling Media and with these major updates and the PRO-HD release out of the way, hopefully we’ll see things kick into high gear on the mobile front.

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…and right on schedule! Umm, right? Yes people, the Slingbox PRO-HD and Slingcather are now officially available for pre-order from amazon.com and direct from Sling Media. With Hava picking up steam, we’ve been waiting for our buddies over at Sling Media to make good on some of the updated goodies we have been waiting for. It might not have happened as quickly as some would have liked but at least we now know it won’t be long before these puppies are shipping. For those who need a 60-second refresher course, here we go: The Slingbox PRO-HD is the first box from Sling Media that will allow you to stream full 1080i High Definition video from your home to, well, anywhere. It is also the first model to sport an integrated digital tuner (ATSC OTA and clear QAM are supported). The Slingcatcher on the other hand, is a different direction for the company. It is designed to bring content to a television as opposed to sending television content to the internet. Hook this puppy up to your set and you can view video files from a USB flash drive, stream video and other content from your PC to your TV and it even lets you catch another Slingbox’s stream so you can Sling from TV to TV with no middle man. There’s some more good news as well. Those of you who have been jonesing for some HD-streaming love will be happy to learn that the Slingbox PRO-HD is available for $299, the same price as the Slingcatcher, rather than the $399 price point that Sling Media had been announced. Solid.

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