While the kludgey Roku antenna has failed to materialize, Voxx is moving forward with a possibly outlandish plan to stream your Slingbox into the car. From their earnings call:
The VOXX Hirschmann team has signed a Letter of Intent creating a strategic partner with EchoStar Sling Media, where we will be integrating a Sling player directly into our rear seat entertainment products to bring the T.V. content you enjoy in your home directly into the vehicle. Consumers want the content they have at home on the road and our product will deliver the richest content of any rear-seat entertainment system on the market.
Of course, there are cheaper and simpler ways to solve this particular problem (say an iPad strapped to a headrest). But an integrated Sling TV does indeed sound like an elegant solution, even if app services require latching onto your smartphone for network connectivity (TBD). Other than the brief blurb above, nothing further has been revealed, including which Voxx subsidiary this initiative might fall under. However, we’d guess Audiovox given their vertical and prior automotive Android experimentation — more details are expected “soon“
“Soon” is now:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/voxxhirschmann-announces-strategic-partnership-with-sling-media-to-bring-the-home-television-experience-directly-into-the-vehicle-282267661.html
The two companies will be working jointly to integrate the Slingbox technology including software and various applications into its new, Evolution Series (EVO) Rear Seat Infotainment family currently under development. The EVO system would contain the “connectivity smarts” of the entire system including the embedded Slingplayer app and will stream multiple types of media content wirelessly and/or wired to display monitors in the vehicle inclusive of BYOD. The EVO series with Slingbox integration will be available in all rear seat entertainment form factors including customized headrest systems, seat back mounted displays or overhead flip down monitors. Additionally, consumers will have the ability to access content from any portable device brought into the vehicle and then stream directly to the installed monitors through multiple wired or wireless connectivity options. The Company expects to have the new EVO product for OEMs, integrating Slingbox technology within a 12-18 month period.