Slingbox will be Mac compatible soon

I just met with Sling Media for a one-on-one demo of the SlingPlayer Mobile software, which enables Windows Mobile 4 or 5 devices such as the Palm Treo 700w, the upcoming Motorola Q, or any Windows Mobile Pocket PC handheld to receive streaming video from the home TV, including local broadcasts, cable TV, DVR--you name it. The application, as previously reported, will also allow you to control and program your TV, your DVR, or even your 100-disc DVD player. Yes, indeed, the Mobile version of the software works well using either a Wi-Fi or a 3G network, and honestly, it--along with the Slingbox itself--is one of the coolest and most useful products I've seen in a long time. While we're all goosed about video content from iTunes or Google, we must also recognize that after inital setup and any applicable data fees (for example, $15 a month for all you can eat using Sprint), SlingPlayer will get you what you want practically whenever you want it--for free.

But even more special for this mostly Mac user (I have a 1.25GHz PowerBook G4, and yes, I want the MacBook) is yesterday's announcement that the SlingPlayer application will be available for Mac OS as SlingPlayer Mac in Q2. The software is currently in alpha, and it will work with all current Slingboxes. According to the company reps, streamed video will be delivered in WMV. Stay tuned for more info and a review of the SlingPlayer Mobile client for Windows Mobile devices.