Foster City, Calif. – Sling Media, developer of Slingbox technology owned by EchoStar, issued a new firmware build out this week for all Slingbox 500 customers and updated the SlingPlayer Mobile apps for iOS and Android smartphones.
Within the SlingPlayer Mobile apps is a new My Media feature called SlingSync.
Using the feature, Slingbox 500 customers can now archive, store and view captured photos and videos from an iPhone or Android smartphone on their TV using the updated SlingPlayer Mobile software and a standard USB drive connected to the Slingbox 500.
SlingSync either automatically or manually transfers photos or videos from a smartphone to a USB drive attached to the Slingbox 500 once both the Slingbox and the mobile device are on the same network and the SlingPlayer Mobile application is opened.
Once synced to the USB drive, the included Slingbox 500 remote can be used to navigate and view the synced files on a TV.
Sling Media said the newest feature for Slingbox 500 further expands the placeshifting concept popularized by the Slingbox.
“Whether you’re looking to watch your favorite sports team who can only be found on linear TV (cable/satellite) in the best picture quality available on tablet, smartphone, PC or Mac inside the home or thousands of miles away, or share videos or photo slideshows from a family vacation on the big screen in the living room, the Slingbox 500 provides the most complete digital media experience, and will continue to add features with each new update,” the company said.
Slingbox 500, which the company launched last Fall, delivers 1080p HD video quality, Wi-Fi, HDMI and a TV interface for set-up and personal media consumption for the first time.
Slingbox 500 customers should now be on firmware number 1.3.462 and the SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone and Android smartphones updates are 3.4.1 and 2.4.2 respectively to take advantage of these new features.
This update also includes the re-introduction of Audio-Only mode for Slingbox SOLO, PRO-HD and 500 customers with Slingbox 350 support coming in a future update.
In addition, Sling introduced Japanese localization to support the launch of Slingbox 350 in Japan. Audio-Only and Japanese localization appear on tablet versions of SlingPlayer Mobile as well with the latest update.
Android customers also were given the ability to share via Facebook on both phone and tablet versions.
