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Sling Media released a Pocket PC client for its Sling Box device back in the spring. After a long public beta period, SlingPlayer Mobile is now available for Windows 5.0 Smartphones, which include handsets like the Motorola Q, T-Mobile SDA and the iMate SP5m.

As with the Pocket PC client, the Windows Smartphone client lets users to watch home TV content anywhere fro mtheir mobile device. Slingbox plugs into a television, enabling users to 'placeshift' cable, satellite, or digital video recorder (DVR) signals to another location via a broadband Internet connection.

The idea behind placeshifting is it gives the end-user total control over their digital content. Users simply need a network connection to access their home television, whether that is 3G cellular services such as EV-DO or UMTS, Wi-Fi, USB or a Bluetooth-based connection.

The SlingPlayer Mobile software client requires sustained network speeds of 112 kbps—the faster the data connection, the better the video quality, according to SlingMedia. The company says it has tested SlingPlayer Mobile with successful frame rates up to a full 30 frames per second on many Windows Mobile devices.

"We are very excited to announce the final version of our SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Smartphone software, which turns devices like the Motorola Q into a personal TV," said Blake Krikorian, Sling Media co-founder & CEO. "It's a two for one deal -- buy a Slingbox and not only have the ability to watch and control your home TV on your computer anytime, anywhere, but also watch and control it on some of the hottest mobile phones and handheld computers on the market."

New Slingbox owners who buy and register their Slingbox between now an now and mid September will receive a free registration code for the SlingPlayer Mobile software, for Smartphone or Pocket PC.

There's also 30-days trial version of the $30 SlingPlayer Mobile software available.

The Pocket PC edition of SlingPlayer Mobile is compatible with Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 5.0 and 2003 Second Edition devices, such as the Cingular 8125, Palm Treo 700w, PPC 6700, T-Mobile MDA and a number of popular handheld computers, including the HP iPAQ line and Dell Axim

Ultimately, SlingMedia would like to develop SlingMobile clients for the BlackBerry, BREW, J2ME, Palm and Symbian platforms, in addition to desktop software for the Mac.

Unlike other new digital distribution technologies, placeshifting technologies like SlingBox may not face its stiffest resistance from content owners, but rather from wireless operators. Why? Because of its potential to disrupt new operator-directed content services, according to a report fromABI Research in March.

ABI principal analyst Michael Wolf explained, "With placeshifting, we believe the biggest opponents will be mobile operators who see these solutions as rogue network applications that could potentially paralyze their cellular networks, as well as keeping consumers from paying for mobile video offerings being offered over new mobile video networks."

Nevertheless, ABI anticipates the placeshifting market will grow from under $22 million today to $740 million by 2011, with growth centered around making the technology available to existing devices like smartphones and handhelds. The analyst firm cites increased consumer awareness of hardware, software, and embedded solutions as reasons why.

"ABI Research believes that mobile clients will see some of the strongest adoption of placeshifting capabilities, as smartphones and Wi-Fi enabled mobile media players integrate the technology to enable streaming of live TV and digital music," according to Wolf.

While some carriers will reflexively resist placeshifiting - as they often do so many other perceived threats to their walled gardens and bandwidth - ABI said others will view it another way; as a means to capture additional average revenue per user. So, in those instances, they'll support the technology as way to sell more high-end data plans or increase video service earnings.

SlingBox, which attaches to the TV, retails for a one time fee of $250, but can often be had for less, with no monthly service charges. At the completion of the public beta period, SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Smartphones will be available for $29.99, the same as the Pocket PC edition goes for. Click here for a list of compatible devices.