Mobile phone company 3 has linked up with two streaming media firms to let users access their television or other content wherever they are. The Orb Networks MyCast and SlingMedia systems stream content to handsets using standard 3G network connections.
MyCast from Orb Networks allows users to access any PC that is connected to the internet. They can then enjoy all of their home music, videos, photos and TV on a mobile device.
In contrast, SlingPlayer Mobile will only allow users who own a Slingbox device to watch their television content on a 3 mobile handset.
However, the SlingPlayer Mobile software – which will come pre-installed on the new Nokia N73 and the Sony Ericsson W950i handsets – includes support for terrestrial TV, Freeview, cable, and satellite TV.
SlingPlayer Mobile also lets customers control their TV recorder at home to watch recorded shows, pause and rewind live TV or even queue a recording when away from home using the mobile phone.
Joe Costello, chairman and co-founder of Orb Networks, was gushing about the new deal.
"3 Group just gets it," he said. "It is the first mobile media company to give its customers the freedom and choices to use the mobile internet the way it was intended to be used.”
“3 is not running away from the future, it is running towards it with open arms, ripping down that walled garden.”
The announcements tie in with today’s launch of 3’s Xseries handsets, which will be compatible with both services.
