Slingbox Mobile Client available for all

Michael Gartenberg | March 23, 2006, 08:51 AM

I've been using the Slingbox Mobile client since it's been in early beta. I've used it stuck in traffic in taxis, sitting in airports and other places where using a laptop just isn't practical. It's now available in a public beta at their website. If you're a Slingbox owner and you have a Windows Mobile Pocket PC or Pocket PC phone, check it out. It's a clean, elegant way to get your TV content on your mobile device and opens up some new scenarios for watching on the go. Best part, is it's free if you bought and registered your Slingbox before April 26th. Nice way to reward the early adopters. Look for a Windows Smartphone version to follow shortly.

I asked Jeremy Toeman at Sling what kind of ussage they were seeing on the mobile client and he told me the following.

"With regards to what people will watch on their mobile devices, I think usage will fall into two camps. The first is what’s commonly referred to as “video snacking” – watching a short video in a short period of time. This is great for when you are waiting in line somewhere, or have just a few minutes to kill, and I see consumers either watching produced, short-form content, or specific types of live TV, such as sports highlights or scores, as well as news updates."

That's pretty much what we've seen in our research as well. Look for us to release more details on consumer interest in Mobile video as we get closer to CTIA, clients of course are free to call us anytime to get the scoop.

Overall, this notion of placeshifting is highly disruptive technology, even more so on the phone than on the laptop.