Number 6 – Linux

At number 6, I’m not trying to insult Linux users. I have a Linux based computer… two, in fact. However, I’d say there’s few Slingbox fairing individuals that have completely given up their Windows or Mac computer to make the stand for open source. However, that doesn’t mean Linux isn’t important. Around the world the Linux gospel is spreading; government agencies, businesses, and consumers are dabbling with the world of open source, and SlingPlayer should be there to bring TV to the penguin bound.

It seems like Linux support should be easy, but reality has a strange way of popping up when you don’t want. First, the major hurdle with Linux is the sheer number of distributions: Ubuntu, Red Hat, Freespire, Knoppix, SUSE, Fedora, FreeBSD, Debian, etc. Assuming there couldn’t be one SlingPlayer that works with the majority of popular Linux distros, which do you support? Ubuntu seems an obvious choice, but I would argue that’s not enough to really make a huge dent in business and consumer Linux world combined. Let’s also not forget the video portion of Slingbox (Windows Media Video) goes against everything the open source world stands for. The complete version of Freespire includes Windows Media components, but I can’t think of any other distro that does. It’s not an impossible challenge, but it’s certainly not an easy one either.

Number 7 – J2ME

Wireless carriers are sinking millions of dollars into mobile video on cell phones. The only problem is that none of these video solutions are anywhere near as compelling as your home cable or satellite system. Smartphone users can get their home TV on mobile phones, but regular cell phone users are out of luck. A SlingPlayer for J2ME could solve that problem, and bring the Slingbox to the vast majority of cell phone users.

The implications of such a client are immense (SlingPlayer for almost every cell phone!), but mobile operators would probably throw more of a fit than ever before. It totally undermines their efforts in mobile video, and they wouldn’t make very much money on the data being used. On the flip side, a SlingPlayer for J2ME phones may not be able to provide a good enough mobile video experience, so it may not be worth the bother. Cross your fingers all you RAZR users…

Number 8 – PSP

Yeah, I know it will probably never happen (mostly why I stuck it at number 8), but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a mention. Though I’ve publicly criticized the PSP in several areas (you can read the article from August 2006 here if you want), I’ll be happy to admit it’s a really nice piece of hardware with a beautiful screen that’s being totally underutilized. SlingPlayer on PSP would be awesome (without a doubt), and it would give PSP owners a solid reason to dig their PSPs out of storage.

Number 9 – iPhone

Apple’s entry into the wireless market is cause for celebration. I’m not an Apple fanboy or anything, but Apple has a knack for raising the bar to a higher standard. The iPhone is no exception; it’s a totally new way to think about how we use our cell phones. SlingPlayer on iPhone could be really slick with the new touch interface and brilliant screen, but the closed nature of the platform and decision to opt for 4 year old data standards (EDGE) makes me hesitant to proclaim it as a priority… hence why it’s toward the very bottom of my list.

Before anyone starts yelling at me in the comments area, I’ll address it now. Could the iPhone support mobile video with EDGE? Yes it could... just not very well. I can't help but feel a SlingPlayer for iPhone (based on the current hardware) would only be a disappointment to anyone who purchased it. There’s no way a SlingPlayer could be made for this platform that would overcome the iPhone’s anemic bandwidth. I wouldn’t blame Sling Media if they didn’t want to pursue this platform right now; I wouldn’t want to set myself up for failure either.

That being said, I promise to sing a different tune as soon as an iPhone with 3G capability is announced. Until then, the iPhone stays at the bottom of my list.

Number 10 – Other

I’ve touched on the top devices I think would be great candidates for SlingPlayer support. Number 10 is simply for acknowledgement that other devices exist. You know, the category for everyone who want’s to cry out “But what about _____”.

There could be dozens of other devices worth a mention. So, what device do you think should be here? Add it in the comments.

What are your top picks?

Those are my choices in order of priority, but of course, my priorities may not jive with yours. Head to the comments section and tell us what devices you think SlingPlayer should go to next, and why. You never know who may be listening…

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