SlingPlayer™ Mobile - A Golf Fan’s Dream

- It’s nothing short of torture to be at work on Thursdays and Fridays during one of golf’s Major Championships, or most any other PGA Tour event, for that matter. Not that work is horrible, it certainly pays the bills for most fans, but rather because early-round coverage of the events is missed. Missing all of those Thursday and Friday rounds is now a thing of the past. With SlingPlayer™ Mobile, you’ll never miss a thing. It’s simply fantastic.

The SlingPlayer™ Mobile is an extension of Sling Media’s popular Slingbox lineup. In short, a Slingbox provides the capability of watching up to four home audio-visual devices (home digital cable, DVR, satellite receiver, DVD player) from a laptop computer or cellular phone, virtually anywhere in the world. There are no monthly fees, just choose the appropriate Slingbox model and that’s all. The Slingbox Pro, the most expensive, will cost around US$230.

With the addition of the SlingPlayer™ Mobile golf fans can truly watch their own television wherever they are. As tested on a Samsung Blackjack mobile phone with a 3G connection, the SlingPlayer™ Mobile worked flawlessly. Sling Media says that the SlingPlayer™ Mobile will work with any type of Internet connection on the user’s device, including high-speed cellular services (e.g. 3G or EV-DO) and WiFi, as well as USB or Bluetooth-based connections. One obvious problem, though not a problem with the SlingPlayer™ Mobile, is that a cellular signal must be present for it to work. If a signal is lost or not present, just as with a call, the viewer must reconnect or wait for a signal.

Instead of viewing pre-recorded video footage of an event through a mobile Internet browser, golf fans can connect directly to live programming courtesy of their home television and the SlingPlayer™ Mobile. Fans can watch the British Open while at work (on your break, of course), catch the Masters at the mall, or the PGA at Applebee’s.

If you’re traveling abroad, as long as your mobile phone has the capability being used, you never have to be without your favorite programs. No more worrying about watching BBC programs or Sky TV, just tune in to your home.

The only place golf fans can’t catch all the live action is at the one place they’d need it most. For those fortunate few who get to attend a PGA event, cellular telephones are banned. No use is allowed after entering the events. Send thank you notes to the careless people who have neglected to turn off their ringers only to have their phones ring at the worst times, and to the inconsiderate who failed to heed instructions not to talk on the phones during tournament play. Think how great it would be to use SlingPlayer™ Mobile at a PGA event. No more missing most of the tournament action simply because you’re there. Although banned, the question remains of how so many people continue to have their mobile phones at golf tournaments.

Aside from the extreme portability and surprisingly clear, smooth picture with SlingPlayer™ Mobile, using the Slingbox in your hotel room on the notebook computer is also outstanding. Depending, of course, on the quality of your computer, the picture and transmission can be fabulous.

Despite the PGA banishment of cellular phones, the SlingPlayer™ Mobile is well worth the money. With earlier versions on the market since at least 2005, it’s a small wonder the Slingbox and SlingPlayer™ Mobile aren’t household names by now.