Sling Streams to BlackBerry

Sling Media, makers of the TV place-shifting Slingbox, will finally release its BlackBerry application for 3G- and Wi-fi -enabled BlackBerry devices on December 30.

The new application, called Slingplayer Mobile, allows you to watch and control your own TV and DVR remotely via the Internet. The application is currently in public beta and only available to customer in the U.S., Canada and the U.K.

When Sling announced the application in early January its projected price was $30, so you should expect a similar price tag once the app comes out of beta.

To use the BlackBerry app, you will need a Slingbox at home enabled for remote viewing, and one of several BlackBerry models with updated software (log on via your BlackBerry browser to http://mobile.slingmedia.com/go/bbcheck to confirm readiness).

If you don't see your model, don't worry; Sling says it is working on expanding Slingplayer Mobile to other devices in the near future. Here's what's available for the trial:

· BlackBerry Bold

· BlackBerry Curve 8900

· BlackBerry 8820

· BlackBerry Curve 8320

· BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220

· BlackBerry Pearl 8120

You can also create and manage a list of favorites with Slingplayer Mobile. To use the feature you also need a Windows PC with Sling Media Player 2.0 or later, and a broadband connection with a minimum upload stream of 256 Kb per second in addition to your mobile device. If you're a Mac or Linux user, you can still view use the application for viewing, but you won't have access to the favorites feature.

Slingplayer Mobile for BlackBerry has been a long time coming, especially when you consider that Sling has offered similar applications for Windows, Palm, and Symbian devices for some time now. Sling Media also announced in June that it is building an app for the iPhone and iPod Touch, and recently launched a video streaming site for its subscribers.