Following my earlier postings, Sling Media finally published their press releases regarding their support of Windows Mobile based Pocket PCs and Smartphones as well as coming overseas to Europe with a PAL-enabled Slingbox version:

First of all, Sling Media officially announced at CES the SlingPlayer Mobile, a new software client that gives Slingbox customers the ability to watch and control their home TV from any wirelessly-enabled Windows Mobile Smartphone or handheld computer. The new SlingPlayer Mobile software supports all flavors of Windows Mobile including Windows Mobile for Pocket PC and Windows Mobile for Smartphone and is compatible with both Windows Mobile 2003 and the recently released Windows Mobile 5 operating systems. The SlingPlayer Mobile software will be available in the first quarter of 2006. Pricing and distribution will be announced at that time.

"Our goal from the beginning has been to turn every display you own into your own personal TV. We are taking another step towards that with the release of the SlingPlayer Mobile software," said Blake Krikorian, co-founder and CEO of Sling Media. "Unlike other mobile video offerings, SlingPlayer Mobile gives Slingbox users their complete home TV experience on their mobile phone or handheld computer, including the ability to watch their local channels. Moreover, if customers have a digital video recorder-such as a TiVo or ReplayTV-they can watch recorded TV or even program that show they forgot to record, directly from their mobile device."

With an ever-increasing number of Windows Mobile Smartphones and handheld computers, Slingbox owners will have their pick of the most anticipated new wireless devices on the market. A list of devices that will be supported includes four of the hottest Smartphones, the highly anticipated Palm Treo 700w, the Motorola Q, the Samsung i730 and the UTStarcom PPC6700, in addition to handheld computers like the Dell Axim and the HP iPAQ. As new mobile products based on the Windows Mobile operating system make their way to the market, Sling Media will continue to extend the capabilities of SlingPlayer Mobile. While Windows Mobile is the first mobile operating system that will be supported, Sling Media will add other operating system compatibility in the future.

In addition, and this is important for European and Asian customers, Sling Media announced it has developed a PAL version of its  Slingbox designed specifically for countries utilizing the PAL video standard. The development of this new version of the Slingbox marks Sling Media's first expansion beyond the United States market, which has been the primary focus for the company thus far. Sling Media plans to deliver a PAL-compatible Slingbox within the first half of 2006. In that same period, Sling Media will also launch nationwide distribution in the Canadian market.

"We made a concerted effort to focus on the U.S. market first, building our retail channel and customer base here," said Blake Krikorian, co-founder and CEO of Sling Media. "However, we have received tremendous interest from potential Slingers around the world since our unveiling at CES last year. People's love for their living room television is truly universal. The Slingbox delivers your TV on your terms, and we are excited to deliver this freedom to any consumer in the world, regardless of the video standard their country utilizes."

Sling Media started a limited Beta program for the European market beginning in November and is working to thoroughly test the Slingbox to ensure compatibility with various satellite and cable set-top-boxes around the world. The company is also finalizing distribution plans and will have pricing and availability information in the second quarter.

The Slingbox is a breakthrough consumer electronics product that enables consumers to watch their living room TV programming from wherever they are by turning virtually any Internet-connected Windows-based laptop or desktop and any Windows Mobile-based PDA or Smartphone into a personal TV. The Slingbox redirects, or "placeshifts," a single live TV stream from a cable box, satellite receiver, or digital video recorder (DVR) to the viewer's PC-located anywhere in the home or anywhere in the world, via the Internet.

Cheers ~ Arne