Hasta La Gadget!

Fans of both Android and Slingbox streaming have had a long wait for a significant update to the SlingPlayer app, to put it mildly — the last major upgrade was to introduce Kindle Fire support at the start of the year. Imagine our delight when Sling Media posts a pair of low-key but significant updates for Android phone and tablet users alike. Smartphone owners get the most out of the upgrade with a new electronic program guide, a fresher overall look and better high-quality video for any phone using Android 4.0 and beyond. Tablet users do get a more optimized interface for the Nexus 7, however, and both form factors will let avid placeshifters remind themselves when a much-anticipated show goes live in the future. Neither of the updates is a complete revolution, but we would say they’re coming just in time.

Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD, Mobile

SlingPlayer for Android gets a long-awaited update, adds reminders and better Android 4 video quality originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I’m unsure why exactly a company wouldn’t announce new products, sending them directly to retail outlets instead. If customers don’t know the new products are available the chances of them buying them would seem more unlikely. However, more than a few companies never say a word about new products, and they just turn up on store shelves. This is exactly what has happened with a pair of new Slingbox models.

The new models are the Slingbox 350 and the Slingbox 500. Both the devices stream content at up to 1080p and have redesigned chassis. Like all other Slingbox devices, the point of both new products is to allow you to placeshift your content recorded on your home DVR to your computer or mobile device.

The Slingbox 500 has an HDMI input and an HDMI output, a remote control, USB storage, and apparently an on-screen wizard for set up. The device is also the first Slingbox to have integrated Wi-Fi. One side effect of these new devices being unannounced is we don’t know what all the features are.

You’ll notice in the photograph that there are some price tags underneath each of the devices, which are apparently for different items. Zatznotfunny reports that Best Buy wouldn’t sell either device so perhaps it’s not so much that they were both unannounced as someone place them on the shelves too early.

[via Zatznotfunny]

New Slingbox hardware lands at Best Buy is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

You might say Dave Zatz just had a happy accident. While he was hunting for the as yet unofficial Logitech Harmony Touch in Best Buy, he discovered the Slingbox 350 and 500 — two more living room gadgets that have yet to receive an official introduction. The placeshifting hubs both look to be major improvements over the aging Slingbox Pro HD and Solo, making 1080p streaming available as long as the connection is up to snuff. Those who spring for the 500 should also get long overdue support for WiFi without having to use a wireless bridge, although they may miss the Pro HD’s ATSC tuner. Outside of the networking, Sling Media is making expansion its upsell angle: the 500 supports USB media sharing and HDMI, while the 350 has to make do with whatever can pipe through its component and composite jacks. Zatz was unfortunately foiled in an attempt to buy one of the new Slingboxes and couldn’t get final pricing, but Best Buy’s suggestion to try again around mid-October hints that we won’t have long to wait for a much-needed upgrade to our remote TV viewing.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Slingbox 350 and 500 show up unannounced in Best Buy, flaunt 1080p and built-in WiFi originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 30 Sep 2012 18:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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