Sling Media has introduced new software that extends the reach of the successful Slingbox past just Internet-connected PCs. One of CES 2006's hot products, SlingPlayer Mobile allows users to stream video originating on their home television, including local broadcasts, cable and satellite content as well as video stored on a TiVo (or any other DVR), to their Windows Mobile-powered handheld or smartphone. Any higher end device running Windows Mobile 4 or 5 such as Palm's Treo 700w, Samsung's i730, Motorola's Q, HP's iPaq will work with the software utilizing either a WiFi or 3G network fo the video stream. The software, which includes a virtual remote control also allows you to pause "live" TV (there's generally a 6-7 second delay) and program your DVR to record shows just as you would at home. We witnessed a demo of the product here at CES and have been impressed by its robustness-- it really works. After the initial setup of hardware and software the only cost to the user will be dependent on 3G data rates set by the carrier, though the cost can be virtually nothing when streaming over a WiFi network.

No pricing has been set for the client, which will be available in the first quarter of 2006. While Windows Mobile is the only operating system supported at this time, Sling Media plans to roll out versions of the client for other OS's including Mac OS.