The promise of the Spawn HD-720 is twofold: You can "log in" to your console to play games when, say, your TV is otherwise engaged, or you're away from home. You can also invite remote players to play against you—as a local player, interestingly enough—over the internet, from anywhere. The whole system will set you back $200, but there's no monthly fee.

The streaming box itself is a nondescript brick with a panel full of A/V connectors in the back. It's middleman hardware, sitting between the video source—the console—and whatever display it's connected to, like some sort of VCR. And in a way, that's what it is: the HD-720 grabs, encodes and streams raw video signals without without interacting with your console at all. In fact, the only input it sends to your Xbox/PS3/PS2/whatever is through controller adapters, which let the box (and in turn, whoever is using it) act like a local player.

So, right, enough about the hardware, what about that question that you can't not immediately have about this box: How laggy is it? I tested Kung Fu Panda over a LAN connection for a few minutes on an utterly undistinguished $500 Core 2 Duo laptop, and it worked. I can't say there was no lag—there definitely was—but it wasn't enough to ruin a game like this, or even a first person shooter. To give a sense of how it felt, the delay felt like the difference between a wired optical mouse and a first-gen wireless mouse, in that is was enough to make some controls feel imprecise, but not enough to make anyone angry. This laptop was, for all intents and purposes, an Xbox 360.

Predictably, there was a catch. And it was the catch. I couldn't test Spawn remotely, even from a predetermined node with guaranteed upstream bandwidth. Not so predictably, the Spawn guys said they're sending out evaluation units in a few weeks, which we'll be able to connect to any console and stream over any connection. Spawn, meet Earthlink. I really hope you get along.

That'll be the ultimate test, and it's a test I'm really looking forward to. Even in its current state, Spawn can definitely keep up at least half of its side of the bargain—local game streaming is decidedly decent, and the client software is polished. The other half? You know, streaming a game of COD 4 over a 512Kbps upstream connection without 150ms+ latency? I can't overemphasize how big of a "we'll see" that is. [Spawn]

The listing demands that an applicant for the position:

Be knowledgeable about and/or interested in becoming an expert on the existing user interface paradigms used on iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Symbian, Android, and Palm WebOS

Of course, if they are just looking for people to work on this now we can't really expect to see it this week or next, but at least it is in the works. So what are you waiting for? Apply, so we can watch the end of the football season on our HTC Heroes and Palm Pixies! [Sling Media via Pre Central]

In other words, if you want to play a game on your console remotely, you can connect to your system by downloading the Spawn Player application on your computer. The box transmits a 720p picture over the connection and allows you to control the game with "an input device of your choosing." The box works with all of the major consoles and is available starting today at $199. The only problem is that until the majority of our games are loaded on console hard drives, it would mean that we would be confined to one game while traveling. Still, its an intriguing idea. Would it be something you could use? [Spawn Labs via TechCrunch]

That content streaming feature, confirmed by senior VP Eric Rabe, is definitely in the works, pending the resolution of some agreements (we imagine they'll have many tiresome meetings with the networks before that gets ironed out). In addition, they'll be adding support so the FiOS box can stream video content from networked PCs (and Macs)—at the moment, only audio and photos are supported, so this'll be a nice change.

Not so interesting is the distressing news that Verizon has apparently discovered social networking. That means Facebook and Twitter support in the form of widgets, because lord knows that's what we all need. The Twitter widget could be used to discuss programs as they air, in case you don't have a laptop or friends.

An interesting tidbit: Looks like Verizon has, right now, the capability to bring us 100Mbps internet, but they've made the decision not to offer it at the moment. Their reasoning is that their highest speed plans are already not particularly popular, and, oddly, that there's "no practical use" for such blazing speed.

And finally, it looks like they'll be making the guide widescreen and HD instead of the positively archaic full-screen guide they use now. HD for all! [Gear Live]

Dave says that Motorola imagines the Media Mover as a "Swiss Army knife" of USB gadgets. It'll transcode lots of different video on your DVR and broadcast it locally or remotely over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, kinda like Sling. Motorola was demoing it sending video to a Moto Q9M, iPhone (pictured) and a laptop. It's also got a low-res nanny cam built inside, so you can watch how much of the good wine they're drinking on your iPhone.

No price or date yet, but it's supposed to be "low cost." [ZatzNotFunny]

As the product team was working on the future roadmap we realized that the hardware on the older boxes would not support the kind of high quality streaming video and advanced features across all platforms we want to offer moving forward.

This is why it doesn't work with the Slingbox, Slingbox AV and the Slingbox Tuner, and only with the SOLO, the Pro or the Pro-HD. This seemed weird to us, since 640x480 of the original Slingbox was fine enough to watch on laptops even outside the local network, why wasn't it enough to watch on iPhones with even lesser resolution?

Their answer: the decision was based on the entire roadmap, not just the iPhone. So, they've got some more interesting things coming up that they decided that NOW was the time to make the cutoff on old devices. It's true, the old devices are lacking in processing power, and no matter when they do the cutoff people will be upset. Might as well be now.

If you have Dish network (are they any of you out there?), the ViP 922 will let you schedule, manage and view your recordings (and plenty of 'em on the 1TB drive) from any web-connected machine; there's also a nifty new touchpad remove for when you're at home. Could have used that for Top Chef tonight—no Bravo at the Wynn. WTF??

It's available via your friendly Dish service man come Spring 2009 for an undisclosed sum.

DISH NETWORK® INTRODUCES WORLD’S FIRST
“SLINGLOADED” HD DVR AT 2009 CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW

New 1 Terabyte High Definition DVR with Integrated Slingbox, Touchpad Remote Control and Tile-based User Interface

Las Vegas, Nev., Jan. 8, 2009 – DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), the nation’s third largest pay-TV provider and the digital transition leader, today unveiled the world’s first
SlingLoaded™ HD DuoDVR™, the award-winning ViP® 922. The ViP® 922 is the first high definition digital video recorder that incorporates placeshifting technology.

The ViP® 922 was built by EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., a wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), and developed for DISH Network as an entertainment centerpiece that – combined with the only 1080p Video on Demand and 100 percent, all-HD suite of programming packages available today – will revolutionize the way consumers watch and enjoy their favorite programming. DISH Network will offer the ViP® 922 to customers in Spring 2009.

“DISH Network is pleased to add another award-winning product to our suite of MPEG-4 HD DVR ViP receivers: a groundbreaking set top box that offers consumers the true experience of TV everywhere,” said DISH Network Chairman, CEO and President Charlie Ergen. “By integrating Sling Media’s Slingbox technology into our industry-leading HD DVR, DISH Network is providing even more ways for our subscribers to view their TV programming – through their television sets, their desktops at home, their laptops on the road, and their smartphones including Blackberrys, iPhones and more.”

The ViP® 922 allows TV enthusiasts to watch and control their favorite TV shows and sporting events from anywhere in the world via a broadband Internet connection on their laptop or mobile phone. With five video sources, including satellite, broadband and optional over-the-air tuners, viewers will never run out of shows to watch. The ViP® 922 also features a multi-tuner DVR with up to 1,000 hours of recording time and supports connecting external hard drives for even more storage capacity.

An innovative touchpad remote control accompanies the ViP® 922, which eliminates half the buttons of a standard remote control and provides cursor-like navigation on a TV screen. With a slide of the thumb, viewers experience scroll-over activation of the new user interface: on-screen widget-like tiles and pop-up menus. All features are selectable by an underside index finger trigger selection on the radio frequency-controlled remote, which offers two-way learning of codes from other AV equipment remote controls.

The ViP® 922 can also be controlled using SlingGuide™, a new way for consumers to control their TV viewing experience over the Internet. SlingGuide features a powerful search engine for the TV along with the ability to schedule the ViP® 922 DVR timers remotely.

Other ViP® 922 features include:
• News feeds located on the home screen, giving viewers instant access to national news, weather, sports, and stock quotes.
• Ability to organize channels by channel name or number.
• 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480i and 480p support.
• Internet-delivered DISH On Demand including 1080p content.
• Ability to move one day in the guide while browsing full screen EPG or partial EPG.
• Connections to home networks via Ethernet, HomePlug Turbo (the next generation of HomePlug that allows for faster in-home transfer of content using home power lines), or WiFi (with optional WiFi adapter).
• Powerful search capability across all available video sources, including IP, VOD, satellite or DVR.
• Intuitive timer creation and DVR management, allowing users to categorize programming by groups (video source, title, genres) or by content description (date, length, ratings and more).
• Ability to load photos, MP3s and selected Internet content.
• Future upgrades such as photo sharing, movie ticket purchases, family calendars, instant messaging, streaming audio, and the ability to transfer content within a home network.

EchoStar’s new user interface and remote control for the ViP® 922 were selected as CES Innovations 2009 Design and Engineering Award honorees. Demonstrations of the ViP® 922 will be available at DISH Network’s Booth No. 14438, located in the Central Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Jan. 8-11. For more information about DISH Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

As opposed to a standalone desktop client, Sling has opted to introduce SlingPlayer for Mac HD as a web-based app that runs through Sling.com. The move makes sense, as Sling has been gradually moving into the webspace over the last year with Sling accounts and their web TV portal.

As for the iPhone app, it has undergone some visual changes since the last time we saw it in June, and is now optimized for iPhone 2.0 software. In addition, it has some new features, such as a new remote control interface that changes according to your cable or satellite box, Sling.com account integration and new finger gestures that let you change channels with a swipe of the finger.

SlingPlayer for Mac HD will be available for free sometime in Q1 this year, while the iPhone Sling app will be submitted to Apple for approval around the same time (keep your fingers crossed on that one).

Sling Media to Demonstrate SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone and Slingbox HD Streaming on the Mac at Macworld

San Francisco — Macworld — January 6, 2009 — Sling Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), is demonstrating a version of SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone being developed for the iTunes store at this year’s Macworld. Sling Media will deliver a version of SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone to Apple for certification in Q1.

Sling Media is also unveiling a prototype of a new SlingPlayer for Mac HD which allows Slingbox PRO-HD users to stream HD to their Mac desktop or laptop computer. The new SlingPlayer for Mac HD is a web-based version of the SlingPlayer software that will be accessible from Sling.com, Sling Media’s recently launched video entertainment web site.

“SlingPlayer Mobile is ideally suited for the iPhone’s large touch screen display and I know iPhone users are eagerly anticipating the application’s availability,” said Blake Krikorian, co-founder and CEO of Sling Media. “Add to that HD streaming support for Slingbox PRO-HD customers and live TV support on our video entertainment site, Sling.com, and you can see Sling Media is committed to delivering great solutions for Mac users.”

SlingPlayer Mobile gives consumers their entire home TV experience, including local channels, local sports teams, video on demand, pay per view, etc. Any program that you can watch on your sofa back home, you can now watch via your iPhone using a standard network connection (3G Cellular, WiFi). In addition, SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone users can also control their home digital video recorder (DVR) to watch recorded shows, pause, rewind, and fast forward live TV, or even queue new recordings while on the road.

Pricing and Availability
SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone will be submitted to Apple for testing and approval in Q1. The price has not been determined at this time. SlingPlayer for Mac HD will be available for free via the web-based SlingPlayer within Sling.com later in Q1. Mac customers will be able to use either Safari or Firefox web browsers to get both HD streaming and Live TV within Sling.com.

For those unaware, Slingplayer lets you watch streaming video over the internet from any source connected to a slingbox. Some of these features, like the online ID system, are already present in the Slingplayer 2.0 release for Windows. But the revamped mac version, which promises HD streaming, isn't quite ready, so this will have to do in the meantime. Download it over at [Sling].

ANOTHER REASON TO GIVE THANKS – A FREE, NEW MOBILE WEB SITE PUTS TIVO SCHEDULING IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND, YOUR NEIGHBOR’S HAND, EVERYONE’S HAND

New TiVo Mobile web site allows TV fans to browse, search, discover, and record television shows on the go, adding another great value to the already invaluable TiVo service

Alviso, Calif. November 25 — Heading out to holiday dinners, get-away vacations, or just being away from home no longer means missing out on your favorite television programming. That’s because TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs) launched TiVo Mobile, a free mobile phone-optimized Web site that allows subscribers and non-subscribers alike to browse, search, and discover television shows, regardless of mobile platform, carrier or browser. The site can be accessed with any Internet-enabled phone through any network, regardless of carrier, opening up the service to millions and millions of cell phone owners.

The new mobile site, located at m.tivo.com, lets television fans stay in touch with their TiVo® DVR when they are away from the living room, giving them the power to schedule recordings directly to their TiVo box from their mobile phone. TiVo is known for its simple, intuitive interface, and the TiVo Mobile web site delivers more of the same. The site is optimized for easy use on a small screen, offering the exceptional user experience TiVo fans know and love. Site visitors can search for programs by actor, title, director, and keyword, with additional functions including Daily Recommendations and Most Popular. Like TiVo’s famous recommendations engine, the TiVo Mobile site features an “If you like this…” tool to help users find new shows.

“TiVo started out making television a more convenient, personal experience, and this is the next step to give television lovers total control over their media. Whether you are standing in line at the bank or talking about a new show with friends at dinner, you can now find and record shows whenever, wherever, a perfect tool for everyone,” said Jim Denney, vice president of product marketing at TiVo Inc.

TiVo subscribers have the option to schedule recordings on their Series2™ or Series3™ TiVo boxes directly through the site, bringing a new level of ease to recording TV.

Anyone can browse, search and discover television shows, whether or not they have a TiVo DVR at home. The TiVo Mobile site extends on-the-go functionality to a large audience, bringing the freedom of TiVo scheduling to places it has never been before.

The new application joins an unmatched set of service features available to TiVo lovers, including content from Amazon Video on Demand and Jaman, as well as videos from YouTube direct to the TV set. Coming this December, thousands of movies and TV episodes can be instantly streamed from Netflix. The new mobile site also nicely complements remote scheduling through TiVo.com and TiVo Desktop Software, which allows viewers to transfer their shows to an Apple iPod, Sony PSP, or other portable players.

M.tivo.com is in beta beginning today and will be available on a wide scale within a few weeks.

The TiVo Mobile web site was built in conjunction with mobile application development agency, Mobui Corporation. More information on Mobui Corporation can be found at http://www.mobui.com.

Initially, BlackBerry smartphone users will gain the convenience of being able to discover what shows are on and schedule television recordings while away from the living room and on the go. Future collaboration between the companies will focus on software applications that further simplify mobile access to video content.

Hopefully that "future collaboration" part isn't too far off.

RIM & TiVo Partner to Provide TiVo Mobile Entertainment Services on BlackBerry Smartphones

ALVISO, CALIFORNIA and WATERLOO, ONTARIO—(Marketwire - Sept. 11, 2008) - TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ:TIVO), the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, today announced a partnership to bring customized TiVo services to the BlackBerry® wireless platform.

The new relationship brings TiVo and RIM together to develop a variety of mobile entertainment services that marry RIM's leading BlackBerry® smartphones with the content delivered to consumers through the Emmy-winning TiVo® service. Initially, BlackBerry smartphone users will gain the convenience of being able to discover what shows are on and schedule television recordings while away from the living room and on the go. Future collaboration between the companies will focus on software applications that further simplify mobile access to video content.

"TiVo subscribers will soon be able to wirelessly control their TiVo DVRs using a BlackBerry smartphone - anytime, anywhere - and that is a powerful example of how our respective technologies can complement each other to serve our mutual customers," said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO of Research In Motion. "As the BlackBerry smartphone continues its evolution as a modern lifestyle device, the importance of home entertainment integration will continue to grow and TiVo will be the key in providing consumers with greater flexibility in accessing television content."

"TiVo continues to transform and revolutionize the way people control and watch television and broadband video," said Tom Rogers, CEO and President of TiVo Inc. "RIM and TiVo share a commitment to great user experiences, which cause our products to become seamlessly integrated into the consumer's lifestyle. We also share a vision for the future of mobile entertainment services and we look forward to a variety of future innovations as a result of this relationship."

The first software application from RIM and TiVo is expected to be available later this year.

While Sling plans to develop and distribute the software through the iTunes App Store, the demo build we were shown runs on a jailbroken iPhone because of current testing limitations with the iPhone SDK. And since this is in the early stages of development, the demo was limited in function, but from what I saw, it looks like a totally awesome alternative to mobile TV.

Once you connect to your Slingbox, you control channels with an on-screen remote whose buttons scroll horizontally at the bottom of the screen. There's also a scrollbar full of channel icons that provide shortcuts to specific stations. Video ran pretty smooth and looked good over a wi-fi connection. And it goes without saying, but Sling also has their fingers crossed for a 3G iPhone.

While the current proof-of-concept software is using a WMV codec to stream video, Sling is hoping Apple will make its video decoding assets available on the iPhone so they can use that instead. There's no word on an official release date for the application, but for those iPhone owners with Slingboxes, dreams of mobile TV just became an afterthought. [Sling on Giz]

Free firmware upgrade later this month if you register your TV+ (or $50 if ya don't), it'll deliver QVGA video from your TV to PCs, WinMo phones, 605/705, and then Symbian soon. Not bad if you're already in the Archos ecosystem, but the res is sorta shitty. [Archos, Archosfans]

We got a hands-on with it earlier in the week and were pretty impressed. Some scenarios that we can think of are:

• Streaming HD from your DVR in your living room to your Slingcatcher in your bedroom.
• Dumping a bunch of BitTorrented DivX/XviD files onto a USB drive, taking it to the Slingcatcher, plugging it in and watching.
• Opening up ABC HD, turning on last night's Lost, and watching it on the TV instead of the computer.

Convenient! [Slingbox]