Slingbox to get Symbian smart-phone playback app

SlingPlayer coming to Nokia, Sony Ericsson handsets

Slingbox TV-over-the-net maker Sling Media today confirmed that it is indeed working on a version of its SlingPlayer application for Symbian-based handsets. The software is scheduled to ship by the end of the year.

Sling said the software will initially be pitched at European and Asian consumers, though it pledged a US release "shortly" afterward. It will target both Series 60 (S60) and UIQ user interfaces, the former favoured by Nokia, the latter by Sony Ericsson. Currently, UK-based Slingbox owners can only view content on Windows XP- or Windows 2000-based PCs.

SlingPlayer picks up TV programming transmitted by a Slingbox across a broadband internet connection. SlingPlayer requires a broadband connection too, but that's increasingly available to mobile users via Wi-Fi hotspots and 3G cellular networks. Sling Media is also working on a Palm OS version of SlingPlayer.

Sling Media recently announced a line of second-generation Slingboxes for the US market. The company expects to detail UK and European availability in the New Year. ®

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