Sling Media has quietly released the latest build of the Slingbox desktop software. Version 1.3.176, available at CNET Download.com, adds better speed and resolution when streaming on a home network, a conflict manager for disconnecting unwanted remote logins (the player remains limited to one viewer at a time), the ability to skin the software viewer, and an audio-only mode that maximizes by utilizing bandwidth that would otherwise be used for video (perfect for satellite radio fans). Additionally, the software can now easily toggle between standard (4:3) and wide-screen (16:9) aspect ratios.
A detailed list of feature upgrades is listed on Sling's Web site. (The software upgrade also updates the Slingbox firmware.) Some features are appearing for the first time, while others--such as the software skins--have been seen in earlier beta releases.