Slingbox hits low

You'll have to sling down fewer bucks for the latest Slingbox streaming media device.

The new Slingbox M1 ($149.99, out July 20 in stores and slingbox.com) gives you remote access to your current pay TV settop box on your computer or newly revamped Android and iOS apps for phones and tablets.

'This is the least expensive Slingbox we've ever produced,' says Michael Hawkey, senior vice president and general manager of Sling Media. 'We have come to what we consider an optimal price point of value and features.'

The Slingbox M1 is also the first of the company's entry-level products to have built-in WiFi -- it succeeds the Slingbox 350 ($179.99) that had only Ethernet connectivity. You can continue to use Ethernet connections on the M1, if you prefer.

The new M1 is also the first Slingbox that you can configure using the Slingplayer app for iPhone and Android phones. 'Setting it up is easy,' Hawkey says.

At this low price, Sling Media hopes to attract mainstream consumers who want easier access their pay TV content while on the go. The M1 lets you watch and control live and recorded content on your pay TV DVR wherever you are connected to a network -- WiFi or cellular.

Those consumers, Hawkey says, 'got a great taste of streaming video but streaming doesn't give them everything.'

He also says that the Slingbox is easier to use with fewer restrictions than typical pay TV DVRs that may offer remote connectivity. Slingbox owners can watch sports events that are in market at their home when they are traveling, something not allowed by some other remote DVRs.

A screen shot of the new Slingplayer app for iPad accessing a DirecTV DVR remotely.(Photo: Sling Media)

My test-run of the system had the M1 running quickly in my home and an early version of the iPad app let me access my DVR throughout my home, as well as at my desk and in the gym on the corporate WiFi network.

Sling is also replacing its current Slingbox 500 with the new SlingTV (priced at $299.99 as the 500, due in August), which brings new cloud-based 'smart TV' features to the service including movie reviews, social activity fantasy sports updates.

Follow Mike Snider on Twitter: @MikeSnider

SlingTV gives customers access to their pay TV channels (live or recorded) on a computer, tablet or phone at home or anywhere with a Net connection. It also brings your TV 'smart TV' features.(Photo: Sling Media)

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