SlingPlayer 2.0, Symbian UIQ, PRO-HD & Catcher Pre-Orders, and more...

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by MegaZone September 10, 2008 12:24 AM

Categories: News, Rumors and Gossip Sling Media Hardware PC SlingPlayer Mobile Symbian

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Well, this has been quite a busy day at Sling. When it rains it pours.

First, SlingPlayer Mobile for Symbian UIQ has been released to the public - see the press release for all the details.

The UIQ handsets that will support SlingPlayer Mobile at launch include:

Sony Ericsson P1i
Sony Ericsson P990i
Sony Ericsson W960i
Sony Ericsson W950i
Sony Ericsson M600i
Sony Ericsson G700
Sony Ericsson G900
Motorola Z8
Motorola Z10

I ran the beta for that, so I'm especially happy to see it hit the streets.

Speaking of betas, SlingPlayer for Windows 2.0 Public Beta 2 (Build .457) was released tonight. If you're already running Beta 1 (Build .447) you should receive a prompt to auto-update. If you're not yet running SlingPlayer 2.0 you can download Beta 2.

But that't not all - tonight the product pages for both the Slingbox PRO-HD and the SlingCatcher went live on the Sling Media website. But more than just product pages, you can now pre-order the Slingbox PRO-HD and the SlingCatcher direct from Sling Media or from Amazon. Both units are priced with a $299.99 MSRP.

And what else...

Oh yeah - we are in Apple's iPhone Developer Program, and have been for a while. Just so you know.

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Discussion: Add a Comment | Comments 61-80 of 88 | Latest Comment | « Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

JM06443

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member since: 11/04/2008
rank: 20107 of 41899
2 comments

November 4, 2008 7:06 AM

I bought my sling player to watch my TV over my connection and installed slingplayer 1.5. Now with the upgrade sling requires you to create an account at sling and provide them with email addresses. Its an invasion of privacy, a substantial change in functionality of the product (I can't remote access the sling anymore with setting up an account). My plan is to smash my player - since sling won't give me my money back. Hopefully others will stop using/buying slingboxes until sling comes to their senses.

Lets see if this posting gets posted or censored!

Phil Pham

Member

member since: 10/25/2006
rank: 13 of 41899
5 forum threads started
1116 comments

November 4, 2008 8:46 AM

Wow.. That's a lot of anger in your post there. You don't *HAVE* to upgrade to the new slingplayer. I'm using 1.5 currently and have no problems at all.

MegaZone

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member since: 03/02/2007
rank: 10 of 41899
location: Worcester, MA, United States
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1788 comments

November 4, 2008 4:18 PM

And it is hardly an invasion of privacy since you can create a throw away email account if you really feel that strongly about it.

There have been several threads in the forums explaining what Sling Accounts are, and will be, used for. They're not going away, and in fact Sling Accounts will becoming an ever more important part of our product offerings going forward.

-MegaZone, GizmoLovers.com
Slingbox PRO-HD w/TiVo Series3, Slingbox SOLO w/TiVo Pioneer DVR-810H, SPM Treo 680, SP WinXP
(Former Sling Media Beta Program Manager.)

JM06443

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member since: 11/04/2008
rank: 20107 of 41899
2 comments

November 4, 2008 8:18 PM

Yes - a lot of anger. It may be one thing if I had purchased the sling box and that was the status quo - so I could make a decision if I wanted a product that works that way. My mistake to do an upgrade - so once installed how do you get 1.5 back since it isn't on the web site. And what happens if you want to access you slingbox from a new PC 1.5 isn't installed on --- gotcha!! (not me but Sling)

Clearly Sling Accounts are not needed because version 1.5 didn't need them. THere aren't of value of the user - maybe they are of value of Sling - but as Megazone (clearly a sling employee by use of the word "our") notes that SLing ACcounts will be needed even more in the future - but they won't be needed by me and hopefully many others. Companies get to make these decisions - customers get to vote with their pocketbooks - and I hope lots of customers and prospects vote with their pocketbooks. Clearly an opportunity for new players in the market and this is just the type of stupid decision companies make that make it easier for the competition to enter the market.

Phil Pham

Member

member since: 10/25/2006
rank: 13 of 41899
5 forum threads started
1116 comments

November 4, 2008 8:36 PM

Do you have the CDs that came with your box still? That has all the old software on it.

Just chill man. You're stressing yourself out for no reason.

Megazone is a sling employee. He never said he wasn't. In fact there are articles on this site that say he's the Beta Manager for Sling Media. But, that's great that he is. He tells us informed information. Not rumors or conjecture.

And, as he said. You can create a throwaway e-mail address. It doesn't cost you anything, you don't reveal anything, nada, zero. And I disagree with you about their value. As a user, it has a lot of value. If you have multiple slingboxes as I do, it consolidates them all into one account. When Clip+Sling gets released (if it gets released) it will be a central location for you to store your clips to share with your friends and family. It just makes managing everything easier.

MegaZone

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member since: 03/02/2007
rank: 10 of 41899
location: Worcester, MA, United States
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1788 comments

November 4, 2008 8:46 PM

And it says 'Sling Media' under my name and avatar. ;-)

We've been asked, countless times, for a centralized place to store and manage Slingbox and account information. That's what Sling Accounts is. Going forward it will be incorporated into SlingPlayer and SlingPlayer Mobile so that you just login and all your Slingbox information is there, no need to configure each client separately. And not just the Finder ID and login credentials, but Favorites, so your personal preferences will follow you.

Sling Accounts are also used on the SlingCatcher in the same way. And the same account it used on Sling.com, which is currently in beta, including the web-based SlingPlayer that is part of the site. And it will be used for Clip+Sling.

Our customer support system is also now tied into Sling Accounts, so support reps can have instant access to your Slingbox info, warranty information, support history, etc, to provide better support.

I wasn't kidding when I said Sling Accounts would be increasingly central to our products and services. While we're aware that a small number of users may not like the change, we feel the benefits are worth it and the demand from users for the kinds of features it enables has been overwhelming. It wasn't something we implemented on whim.

-MegaZone, GizmoLovers.com
Slingbox PRO-HD w/TiVo Series3, Slingbox SOLO w/TiVo Pioneer DVR-810H, SPM Treo 680, SP WinXP
(Former Sling Media Beta Program Manager.)

tank

Member

member since: 07/23/2008
rank: 22261 of 41899
35 comments

November 4, 2008 8:53 PM

I like the sling account system as I use my slingbox on like 10 different computers

Wookiee

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member since: 06/19/2007
rank: 4734 of 41899
location: Bellevue, United States
2 forum threads started
82 comments

November 5, 2008 2:16 PM

Hey MegaZone, any news update for SlingPlayer for the 3g iPhone? I guess Orb Live just got released but TV is only available over wifi... lame. I miss my SlingBox, it's just sitting on my entertainment shelf collecting dust. Are there any estimated time frame releases like December or early 2009? Thanks for any info you are able to share.

MegaZone

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member since: 03/02/2007
rank: 10 of 41899
location: Worcester, MA, United States
1 articles authored
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13 forum threads started
1788 comments

November 5, 2008 2:43 PM

I can't reveal any dates yet. We have a tentative schedule, but we're not announcing it yet. Development of the iPhone software is proceeding apace. BlackBerry will hit first, followed by iPhone.

-MegaZone, GizmoLovers.com
Slingbox PRO-HD w/TiVo Series3, Slingbox SOLO w/TiVo Pioneer DVR-810H, SPM Treo 680, SP WinXP
(Former Sling Media Beta Program Manager.)

Wookiee

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member since: 06/19/2007
rank: 4734 of 41899
location: Bellevue, United States
2 forum threads started
82 comments

November 6, 2008 1:56 PM

Thanks MegaZone, I understand about not being able to release dates. I guess once I see the BlackBerry version drop I'll start getting excited.

AMcBroom81

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member since: 08/19/2008
rank: 21806 of 41899
22 comments

November 6, 2008 2:59 PM updated: November 6, 2008 3:02 PM

Megazone,

If you cant answer this I do understand. I am a beta tester of the sling.com page, When sling is ready to beta test the iphone 3G sling app. will the process go the same way by E-mail and what not? thanks for your time. look forward to your responce.

And if you ever get time check out this thread about sling coming to the Iphone on Mac Rumors, I have been one of the main ones on that thread to keep the conversation going.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=540861

I am also AMcBroom81 on that thread as well

MegaZone

Member

member since: 03/02/2007
rank: 10 of 41899
location: Worcester, MA, United States
1 articles authored
7 blog entries posted
13 forum threads started
1788 comments

November 6, 2008 6:52 PM

Our normal procedure when we have a new beta is to go through the profiles registered in the beta system to filter for qualifying accounts - such as accounts with an iPhone and a Slingbox in the Test Platforms section. Then from there we'll select some number of testers to get a mix - different locales, different models of Slingbox, etc. Whatever the specific criteria are for the program. And those selected are contacted via email with an invitation to the program.

-MegaZone, GizmoLovers.com
Slingbox PRO-HD w/TiVo Series3, Slingbox SOLO w/TiVo Pioneer DVR-810H, SPM Treo 680, SP WinXP
(Former Sling Media Beta Program Manager.)

jdsfx

Member

member since: 10/21/2008
rank: 4112 of 41899
4 comments

November 10, 2008 2:33 PM

how does one get on the beta testing list?

MegaZone

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member since: 03/02/2007
rank: 10 of 41899
location: Worcester, MA, United States
1 articles authored
7 blog entries posted
13 forum threads started
1788 comments

November 10, 2008 2:48 PM

Maintain a current profile at https://beta.slingmedia.com/ and be sure to fill in the Test Platforms with any devices you're interested in beta testing on/with - such as your Slingbox (pretty much required to be considered), PC, smartphone, etc.

-MegaZone, GizmoLovers.com
Slingbox PRO-HD w/TiVo Series3, Slingbox SOLO w/TiVo Pioneer DVR-810H, SPM Treo 680, SP WinXP
(Former Sling Media Beta Program Manager.)

jdsfx

Member

member since: 10/21/2008
rank: 4112 of 41899
4 comments

November 10, 2008 3:34 PM

just registered , thanks for the info MZ

AMcBroom81

Member

member since: 08/19/2008
rank: 21806 of 41899
22 comments

December 4, 2008 10:34 AM

MegaZone,

I understand if you cant say anything and I do respect that, But if you could answer this question that would be great.

On Macrumours on a thread that I have kept going about sling and the iphone, someone posted this post below.

Talked with tech support...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I figured since they have a chat feature for their tech support I'd ask them about SlingPlayer for iPhone. "Carlos" replied:

"I have news that is not so good. Sling Media tried to create the software compatible for iPhone but we encountered some obstacles to do it. So far, the project is on hold for an undetermined period of time. We will let you know for sure once is available."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know that You have been very carefull not to talk about the status of the app, so I find it weired that someone in customer service would tell someone this about the app that has been kept a close secret on the development.

If you could let me know if the app is in fact on hold or this is just misinformation and is still planned for blackberry first, Then the iphone, that would help seperate rumours from fact.

Thanks and I look forward to your responce.

Drew

MegaZone

Member

member since: 03/02/2007
rank: 10 of 41899
location: Worcester, MA, United States
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1788 comments

December 4, 2008 10:41 AM

That is ABSOLUTELY not true. And I'm going to send this right off to the support supervisor. Someone will be talking to 'Carlos', I'm sure.

Work is continuing on iPhone, I was just talking to the product manager about it yesterday. I can't share the information, but I was pretty happy with what she had to tell me.

-MegaZone, GizmoLovers.com
Slingbox PRO-HD w/TiVo Series3, Slingbox SOLO w/TiVo Pioneer DVR-810H, SPM Treo 680, SP WinXP
(Former Sling Media Beta Program Manager.)

AMcBroom81

Member

member since: 08/19/2008
rank: 21806 of 41899
22 comments

December 4, 2008 11:01 AM

Megazone,

You are awesome, Thanks for sharing that the false information is not true, I will Post your responce into the Macrumours forum and put all the people at ease that sling app for iphone is still in the works and will be the best app on the app store by far.

Thanks again,

Drew

AngeloAlberico

Member