Last week, Sling Media made big waves, releasing SlingPlayer 3.0 and announcing a new partnership with Roku. A new version of SlingPlayer for iPhone and Android smartphones is also available, and an app for Windows 8.1 will be introduced in December.
SlingPlayer 3.0 still features the most salient aspect of Slingbox – allowing you to view live or recorded TV anywhere – but now it will also turn your iPad into both the first screen and second screen. The app will also capitalize on live sports being the most popular second screen programming, providing an easy and visual way of finding which channel the game is on. Once a fan selects which game they want to watch, they will be able to enjoy live statistics on individual and team leaders, get game scores and interact with their social networks.
Slingbox customers will now also be able to watch live or recorded TV through a Roku player connected to a TV in another room in the house or in a remote location using the SlingPlayer apps for iPhone or Android. “Roku offers consumers the most choice of any streaming device,” said Ed Lee, vice president of content acquisition, Roku. “This partnership with Sling Media will bring even more value to Roku customers by giving them additional ways to enjoy live or recorded TV on their Roku players.”
More than anything, this addition will result in value and savings for cable and satellite customers that also have a Rokue player. Rather than paying the fee for additional boxes, the Roku channel will stream to additional TVs inside a home or in remote locations that have may have broadband, but no cable or satellite service.