Sling Nets

I had no idea that Echostar (the Dish Network) owned Sling Media. I've long been a fan of my Dish DVR, and have wanted a Slingbox for some time.

Yesterday, since I was on my third day of being sick and lying around on the couch whining and perusing my hours of unwatched TV on the DVR, I noticed Dish had snuck in a four minute commercial for Sling in my recorded list (they do this now and again). It just so happens, that on one of my favorite podcasts (No Agenda) the hosts have been discussing setting up Slingboxes so that they can each watch TV from the other's country (one's in England, the other CA). Then a listener gave them access in the Northeastern US because Dvorak was complaining that we can't get Canadian TV here, even though we're right next door. He also uses one to get local news from his second home in Washington state, because in the US, TV carriers aren't allowed to carry local channels from other states.

I want a Slingbox, and I want them to get with the program and get an iPhone app for it! I think they don't have one because it's based on Flash, which is so far lacking for iPhone. But they have a pilot version working so I've heard. I also hear Flash is coming soon for Safari on the iPhone, so maybe, just maybe.... Of course, I need to to get a Blu-Ray player, and a Netflix/Roku "watch-it-now" device. And.... ugh.

Anyway - I predict these "Sling Nets" as I've decided to call them, will be popping up everywhere. You heard it here first. Even if you didn't!!! :-)