Thy say the app will hit the Amazon store this month with a not surprising price of $29.00. It looks like it will use the same remote keys as other Android apps, no custom remote skin.

They also mentioned that an embeddable Flash player will be available soon so you can place shift your TV using any webpage you like.

Apparently some folks have already used the Kindle Fire with their Slingbox, using sideloading, from what we have read and is being discussed in our forums here.

Check out Engadget’s review and pics here and let us know what you think if you can.

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XCode Engine Delivers Exceptional Video Quality for Sling Media’s Next Generation Products

TORONTO, Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – ViXS Systems Inc. today announced that Sling Media Inc. has ported its next generation Slingbox technology to the ViXS XCode network media processor. This partnership makes the Slingbox Software Development Kit (SbSDK) available on XCode media processors to OEMs, pay television service operators, and software developers.

ViXS^® provides an extensive portfolio of XCode media processor SOCs integrating transcoding, advanced media processing, security processing, transcryption and high performance networking.  Integration of Sling Media’s software on ViXS Xtensiv™ software stack offers a compelling turnkey solution for OEMs and operators for distribution of media content anywhere in the world. Sling’s technology in combination with leading transcoding technology from ViXS ensures excellent video quality on iPADs, tablets, PCs and smart phones anywhere in the world even in a bandwidth constrained network.

Sling Media’s Slingbox product and placeshifting technology has transformed the way consumers watch television – allowing anyone to watch their TV, anywhere in the world on any IP-connected device – PC, tablet or smartphone.  SlingPlayer software gives consumers complete control over their living room TV, by giving them the ability to control cable Set-top boxes, satellite Set-top boxes, Blu-Ray player, Blu-ray recorders, DVD players, DVD recorders, Digital Video Recorder (DVR), gaming systems, media servers and surveillance systems.

“We are pleased to be engaged with ViXS in a strategic partnership that combines the leading edge XCode multi-stream HD transcoding technologies with our next generation Sling-enabled products,” said Raghu Tarra, senior vice president and general manager at Sling Media. “High performance ViXS XCode SOCs will enable us to extend our reach and ecosystem with our software development kit, resulting in highly innovative products.”

“We are delighted to be partnering with Sling Media, a pioneer in place-shifting technologies”, said Sally Daub, President and CEO of ViXS Systems. “As consumers demand more access to their content anytime, OEMs and operators will benefit from Sling Media’s place-shifting technologies on ViXS SOCs.  Our combined platform will enable best in class media processing performance and highest video quality on the market today.”

Key features of the XCode processors include:

• Highly concurrent multi-stream HD media processing engine
• Dedicated network processor for high throughput network performance
• Support for Over-the-top (OTT) video services and content
• Compliant software stacks to support SlingLoaded and  “Digital Living Network Alliance®” (DLNA^®) Digital Media Server (DMS) for streaming applications
• Integration of a wide range of peripherals including: PCI Express, USB, SATA & Ethernet
• Complete Xtensiv™ Software stack for quick time to market

About ViXS Systems Inc.

ViXS is a multimedia solutions innovator providing technologies for processing, managing, securing and distributing high quality video and audio allowing seamless control, conversion, and connectivity between many classes and sizes of digital entertainment devices.

ViXS supplies advanced System-on-Chip semiconductors, software solutions and hardware reference designs for the world’s top manufacturers of Digital TVs, DVDs, Set-top boxes, Personal Video Recorders, PCs, Network-Attached Storage devices, Residential/Home Gateways, Blu-ray players/recorders, as well as Broadcast and Professional Equipment OEMs.

ViXS is headquartered in Toronto, Canada with global operations and offices in Europe, Asia and North America.  ViXS has filed more than 334 patents worldwide with over 103 patents being issued to date.  Listed for four years running as one of Deloitte’s fastest growing North American companies, ViXS is setting new standards in the way digital entertainment is viewed and transmitted across an endless array of multimedia products.

For more information on ViXS, please visit our website: www.vixs.com.

VIXS®, the ViXS^® logo, XCode^®, XConnex™ and Xtensiv™ are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ViXS. Sling Media, SlingBox, SlingLoaded, and SlingPlayer are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Sling Media. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Sling Media
Sling Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), is the leading provider of video place shifting products and services for consumers and television service providers. Sling Media’s product family includes the internationally acclaimed, Emmy award-winning Slingbox that allows consumers to watch and control their living room television shows at any time, from any location, using Internet-connected PCs, Macs, tablets, and smartphones. For more information, visit www.slingmedia.com.

About EchoStar Corporation
EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) is a premier global provider of satellite operations and digital TV solutions that enhance today’s home entertainment lifestyle. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Hughes, is the world’s leading provider of satellite broadband for home and office, delivering innovative network technologies and managed network services for enterprises and governments in more than 100 countries. Among the many offerings of this combined powerhouse in broadband data and video are HughesNet®, the market’s #1 high-speed satellite Internet service; Sling Media’s award-winning SlingLoaded® technology; and Move Networks’ adaptive bit-rate streaming technology.

Headquartered in Englewood, Colo. with employees worldwide, EchoStar has more than 25 years of experience designing, developing and distributing award-winning television set-top boxes, services and related delivery products for television. EchoStar delivers satellite broadband and transport services for enterprises, governments, small businesses, and consumers using 11 satellites and related broadcast licenses around the globe. For more information, please visit www.EchoStar.com and www.Hughes.com.

Sling Media, Inc. Media Relations contact:
Jay Tannenbaum: 650-293-8007
jtannenbaum@slingmedia.com

SOURCE ViXS Systems Inc.

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Broadcom Logo

One announcement will be the integration of the EchoStar’s Sling Media SDK into Broadcom’s latest set-top-box (STB) system-on-a-chip (SoC) platforms.

Sling Media confirmed that their licensed software ecosystem will be supported on the Broadcom’s BCM7425 Dual HD Transcoding MoCA Gateway SoC.
What this does is pave the way for manufacturers of STBs and CE devices to offer consumers a place-shifting solution that will allow authenticated users to watch their favorite television content on any device with an internet connection.

They are saying that the Broadcom-powered boxes with Sling Media software will be available by the third quarter of 2012.

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Right now Amazon is selling a refurbished Logitech Revue for $79.99. So for $80 you can have a roll-your-own SlingCatcher with all of the features of Google TV. That’s a pretty solid deal.

There is one potential hitch. In a recent email newsletter Sling stated:“During this introductory period SlingPlayer for Logitech Revue is free! So, give it a try — you’re going to love it.” and“SlingPlayer for connected devices is free of charge in North America during this introductory period.” This seems to imply that after the introductory period is over, SlingPlayer for Logitech Revue will no longer be free. That’s not too surprising, they charge for all of their mobile clients too. Though it is getting a little ridiculous for us Android users as they now have three different versions, one for phones, one for tablets, and now one for Google TV, and they cost $30 each. It is perfectly feasible under the Android APIs to develop one client that works well on all three platforms. It is starting to feel like they’re milking the Android users for extra revenue.

Dave Zatz over on Zatz Not Funny noticed this as well. Dave thinks they may introduce monthly, or annual, subscription fees for these clients. I’m more inclined to think they’ll be priced as one-time purchases, just like the mobile clients. One-time purchases are more in-tune with the market on these devices and they’re easier for customers to swallow. Ongoing costs add up, and they’re harder to justify. I’d probably pay $30 for SlingPlayer on my Revue; even if I would resent it a bit since I’ve already purchased it for my phone, and will likely be purchasing it for my Transformer Prime when it arrives as well. But I’m not going to subscribe to it as a service. I just wouldn’t use it enough to justify that cost.

In order to help you if you have question we have added some online help for your Sling Player for Google TV, Revue or other connected devices we have added their help information pages here.

Some of these links may not yet be live, see the applicable dates!

Big Black Friday Savings on Select SanDisk Products! 11/25-11/28
Get Big Fish Game’s Be Richer for only 99¢ 11/25-11/28
$50 off Slingbox Pro HD with Free Shipping 11/25-11/28
30% – 50% off select Logitech products 11/24-11/30
Save $10 on PogoPlug Premium Software Download 11/21-12/2
Free 1 Year Upgrade when you purchase Lojack for Laptops 1 Year Subscription(Premium Only) 11/23-11/29
Save an extra $5 every month for 12 months on DIRECTV – through 11/30/11

Enjoy the specials!

Now if you have Mango phone you will never miss another show or game– whether you’re in the back yard, out to lunch, or on the other side of the world. It’s your TV. Don’t let it be trapped in your living room.

Note: SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Phone requires the use of a Slingbox SOLO or PRO-HD. If you own an unsupported Slingbox you may be eligible to receive an upgrade discount on a supported model.
Pick up Slingplayer for the not-so-cheap price of $29.99 here in the Marketplace.

Things really seemed to slow down with Sling a couple of years ago. There hasn’t been a new Slingbox since the PRO-HD launched in late 2008. There was a flurry of mobile client development in 2008 and early 2009, but after the iPhone & iPad SlingPlayer released in May 2009 things really slowed down. All of the service provider products introduced at CES 2012 seem to have fallen flat. SlingPlayer Mobile for Android finally launched in June 2010 and versions for Windows Phone and an iPad optimized version shipped in November of that year. The Windows Phone version snuck out pretty much unnoticed, though that probably has something to do with the market share of Windows Phone being negligible, to put it kindly. There’s been some activity with Sling in India, and EchoStar launched a SlingLoaded Freesat DVR in the UK, but neither seems to have attracted much attention.

But now we have a flurry of new activity, and I hope it is a sign of what’s to come and not just another blip on the radar. The latest is SlingPlayer for Connected Devices, which is something of a redemption for the disastrous SlingCatcher. It can turn your Slingbox PRO-HD or SOLO (sorry, other models need not apply) into a ‘whole home’ solution by allowing you to access content from the living room on a TV in the bedroom. Or maybe the kids away at school can access the family DVR at home. It is what the SlingCatcher was supposed to provide, and much more since it is now part of a STB which offers other services.

Right now ‘Connected Devices’ means the D-Link Boxee Box and… that’s it. However, as Sling says:“More connected devices will be added soon. Watch this space for updates in the upcoming weeks.” We already know that Google TV is a planned platform for SlingPlayer, hopefully soon. Coming on top of the Google TV 2.0 update (still pending for the Revue, admittedly), it might be another reason to pick up a Logitech Revue Google TV box or bundle. The Boxee Box is $174.95 at Amazon while the Revue is only $99.99. Right now those are the only two ‘Connected Devices’ Sling has discussed for SlingPlayer.

Of course, the question a lot of people are asking is – Will this come to Roku? Roku is the 800 pound gorilla in the streaming STB market, and the new Roku 2 units are certainly more capable app platforms. They also clearly have the highest market penetration, and some of the lowest prices. I really have to think Sling would want to get SlingPlayer for Connected Devices on Roku, but we haven’t heard anything about it to date so don’t get your hopes up.

I wouldn’t bet on seeing it on AppleTV either, not unless/until Apple opens it up for 3rd party apps. Everyone expected them to do that after updating it to be based on iOS, but it still hasn’t happened. Maybe Sling can work with Apple to get the client on the box, like Netflix, but I’m not holding my breath. As for other streaming boxes – Popbox, Western Digital, etc. – no idea. None of the other devices really have much of a user base so it may not be worth the effort.

Sling’s released a video showing off SlingPlayer for Connected Devices on the Boxee Box:

I have to say I’m gratified to see this, and maybe even a bit vindicated. Back in 2008 when I worked at Sling Media the SlingCatcher was two years late and still unreleased. I argued that we should kill it and just not release it. While the design was leading edge when it was announced, the market had changed a great deal in the interim. The SlingCatcher’s inability to handle HD H.264 and limited WMV/VC-1 support, and general reliance on MPEG-2 for HD, was a major issue. Also, the PC software’s requirement that content be playing on the desktop to stream, while innovative when announced, had been surpassed by software like PlayOn and the ability to stream content directly from disk. I just felt that it was basically a two year old product at launch, and two year old consumer electronics products are no longer market leaders.

Instead I argued that Sling should take a different route. Roku was already hot and I suggested making deals with Roku and other companies to embed SlingPlayer in existing products. Put it on Roku, Media Center Extenders (which were more popular at the time), etc. Write a version in Blu-ray Java and distribute it on disc. That would turn any BD-Live Blu-ray deck into a SlingCatcher (I still think that’s a viable idea), and get it embedded into players when the vendor is willing. Netflix later used the exact same approach – using disc-based player software for platforms like the PS3 until they could get an official client embedded in the firmware. Speaking of the PS3, game consoles were another platform I argued Sling should pursue – and I still believe they should.

Of course, in the end I lost the argument, the SlingCatcher shipped and bombed, and I got fired for something else. It is three years later, but it is still good to see SlingPlayer finally hitting other platforms. I think place shifting companies like Sling Media and Monsoon Multimedia need to take a different approach. Stop charging, or at least charging so much, for client software, and get the clients on as many platforms as possible. Ideally, publish the APIs so 3rd parties can build in client support to their platforms, developers can create unique clients for niche platforms, etc. My idea is to get the clients out there, as much as possible.

You want ubiquity. Because once the clients are everywhere, people have a reason to buy your hardware to feed those clients. And that’s where you make your money. If the consumer already has devices with SlingPlayer functionality, it gives them more reason to buy a Slingbox. Create a demand – the player – that only you can supply – with the box – and then sell the supply side.

Maybe this is the start.