SAN MATEO, Calif.—Sling Media Inc. launched a software package allowing wireless subscribers to view TV broadcasts on Windows Mobile devices.
The developer announced a beta version of the much-awaited offering, which sends video from a cable box through an Ethernet cable to a handset running Windows Mobile Pocket PC 5.0 and 2003 Second Edition. The software requires a Slingbox, which sells for about $250 at consumer electronics and computer retailers.
A trial version of SlingPlayer Mobile is available as a free download through April 2; the company plans to charge $30 for the software after the trial offering. Existing and new Slingbox users who register their device will receive a “key” providing them free access to the mobile software.
Wireless subscribers can use the software to view programs, change channels, order video-on-demand and control home digital video recorders. Sling Media hopes to deliver a version of the offering for non-touchscreen devices running Windows Mobile within the next month.
“This is an exciting time for people who want a single mobile device that does more than e-mail,” said Scott Horn, general manager of mobile and embedded devices at Microsoft Corp. SlingPlayer Mobile delivers video to handsets at an average of 25 to 30 frames per second, according to spokesman Brian Jaquet, nearly duplicating traditional broadcast quality.
The software underscores the growing trend of “place-shifting,” or using technology to move content across platforms. While some see place-shifting as a positive step that enables consumers to access a variety of content on multiple devices, others say the trend threatens wireless revenue streams by placing carriers one step closer to being “dump pipes” for data.
While the technology allows users to access mobile video without paying a premium for the content, though, Jaquet said Sling Media hopes to work with carriers to encourage users to sign up for lucrative data plans.
“We think it’s something that’s going to help them drive traffic to their networks,” Jaquet said. “When you’re spending $40 a month for a data connection, we think this provides tremendous value for customers to actually sign up” for those subscription plans.
