Dave Zatz, Author at Zatz Not Funny!

Sling Mobile Updated: Dash & Blackjack Support

So much for my estimation of seeing this software in the “next few weeks” — it’s here today! Both the SlingPlayer Mobile for Smartphones (v1.0.5) and the PocketPC Edition (v1.1) sport various bug fixes and interface tweaks. The most notable addition is support for T-Mobile Dash and Cingular Samsung Blackjack devices. I’ve been running a beta of the PPC client on my Sprint 6700 for a few days without incident. Upgrades are free, otherwise it’ll cost you $30 after a free 30 day trial.

Speaking of Sling mobile clients, I haven’t heard anything new regarding Symbian or PalmOS release dates though both clients are indeed in development. I have a question in to the Sling folks regarding future support for Blackberry devices, but haven’t heard back yet. The newer models embrace Java so the potential is there…

After several months in both private and then public beta testing, SageTV 6 has just been released. Some highlights of the new version include:

Browse, search, and play Google Video
Support for Digital Video Broadcast (DVB, as in: Europe)
Easier video conversion for portables (iPod, PSP, etc) or storage

Version 5 upgraders get the new version free of charge; Folks running earlier editions can upgrade for $30. Anyone just joining in will have to pony up $80, which is comparable to BeyondTV… though possibly more expensive than Windows Media Center Edition (MCE) or Vista.

TiVo’s New Advertisements

TiVo’s been ramping up advertising recently (as they said they would), via partners and going it alone. Due to a few requests I went ahead and captured, trimmed, and published the latest television and radio ads. I’ve caught the radio ads on the local talk station (WTOP in DC) late afternoons, while the television ads seem to air on a few second tier stations (like E!, where I grabbed it) later in the evenings.

“TiVo Caroling”

[audio:tivo-caroling.mp3]

Click the play button above.

Mac SlingPlayer Beta Updated

Six weeks after releasing the public beta of Mac OS X SlingPlayer, Sling Media has taken the wraps off an updated client (build .128) containing numerous bug fixes, support for 10.3.9 (as shown above powering my TiVo Series3), and a slightly improved Mac look (though we still have a ways to go). The software download … Read more

Digital Media Bytes: Skype Edition

Skype Mobile 2.2 Beta supports Windows smartphones: jkOnTheRun Skype PC 3.0 released with topical public chat feature: TechCrunch US/Canadian SkypeOut fees return in 2007: Alec Saunders

Sling Media: On The Move

So where exactly is Sling headed? I know they’re moving into new offices shortly, but in the broader sense something is up over at Sling Media. We currently know them as the company that pioneered “place shifting” with the original Slingbox (and newer models) designed to broadcast your personal television feed over the Internet to … Read more

Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of relevant news… Netflix Previews signal upcoming download service: Hacking Netflix Microsoft patents DVR targeted advertising: Engadget Delphi SkyFi3 reviewed: Orbitcast 12 days of Sling Media giveaways: Sling Community

Deal of the Day: 20GB MS PMP @ $135

Today’s Woot is a Microsoft portable media player (PMP) for under $135. True, it’s a fake brand (Enza Dream’eo? Could there be a worse name?) and the unit may die at any moment — but 20GB with a roomy 3.5″ screen at about half the price of an iPod is a decent deal… as long … Read more