SlingPlayer for Mac coming

today announced SlingPlayer Mac, offering Mac users the ability to watch and control their home television from an Internet-connected Macintosh computer anywhere in the world. The software client is in alpha testing stage; however, the company said it is conducting a demo outside the Expo taking place this week and will ship the software in the second quarter of 2006. "Just like the SlingPlayer software for Windows-based computers, SlingPlayer Mac will deliver the ability to watch living room TV programming from virtually anywhere you can get a broadband Internet connection anywhere in the world. On-screen remote controls will allow full manipulation of the home television source, including the ability to change channels and navigate menus." Slingbox is available from consumer retailers for $250.

In addition, if a customer has a digital video recorder (DVR) they will also enjoy those added features including the ability to pause, rewind or fast forward live TV or watch recorded content stored on the DVR, according to the company.

"Having grown up a Mac fan here in Northern California, I am personally very excited to be demonstrating the capabilities of the Slingbox on the Macintosh operating system," said Blake Krikorian, co-founder and CEO of Sling Media. "From the time we announced the Slingbox, over a year ago, Mac customers have asked us when we'd deliver a Mac version of the SlingPlayer software. We are happy to say it is well on its way."

The Slingbox is touted as a "breakthrough" consumer electronics product that enables consumers to watch their living room TV programming from wherever they are by turning virtually any Windows PC, Windows Mobile-based device and now a Macintosh computer into a personal TV. The Slingbox redirects, or "placeshifts," a single live TV stream from a cable box, satellite receiver, or DVR to the viewer's device of choice -- located anywhere in the home or anywhere in the world, via the Internet.

by MacNN Staff