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For some time now folks in the U.S. could buy and use Sling Media's software client for Windows Mobile PDAs and smartphones. Outside this country it has been close to impossible for Slingbox owners to obtain SlingPlayer Mobile for their Microsoft-based device for longer than a 30-day trial period, however.

This situation recently changed for people living the United Kingdom—with the official launch of SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smartphones devices in that country. The software goes for 19.99 GBP (about 29 Euros).

As the the::unwired reports, this version of SlingPlayer Mobile is only for Windows Mobile 5 devices. So if you’re one of the few who own a smartphone built on Windows Mobile 6, it's best to wait until the next version comes out.

Here’s how SlingPlayer Mobile works:

The software links a smartphone to a Slingbox device, which is attached to a user's television, so they can 'placeshift' cable, satellite, or digital video recorder (DVR) content to wherever they are in the world through a wireless broadband - 3G cellular or Wi-Fi - Internet connection. In the case of a DVR, for example, users can not only watch recorded shows, but pause and rewind live TV or queue new recordings from their smartphone as well.

There are three SlingBoxes available: Slingbox PRO ($250), the Slingbox AV ($180), and the Slingbox Tuner ($180); each for specific type of home entertainment center setup.

Sling Media points out that while specific Windows Mobile devices have been certified, it doesn't mean other models won't work with its mobile client. So if your smartphone meets Sling Media's minimum device requirements, then there's a good chance you'll be able to sling content from you home to handset as well.

These requirements include the Windows Mobile 5.0 for smartphone platform, a CPU of 144 MHz or higher, at least a 16 gray scale display (65,536 colors is recommended), audio support plus speakers or headphones (stereo support suggested), network downloads speeds of 120 Kbps or greater, 900 KB of available memory to store the application, and 4 MB of Program Memory to run it.

In October of last year the company confirmed it would launch a SlingPlayer Mobile client for the Symbian platform, for both S60 (mostly Nokia) and UIQ (mostly Sony Ericsson) smartphone models. Sling Media then launched the Symbian software in Europe through a partnership with British carrier 3, a division of Hutchison Whampoa, which owns of a number of 3G networks throughout Asia and Europe, in November.

The company expects the Symbian software to hit the U.S. market sometime this year. It is also running a beta program for a Palm OS SlingPlayer Mobile client right now. Ultimately, Sling Media has said it would like to develop wireless clients for RIM's BlackBerry devices, in addition to BREW and J2ME-based cell phones.