Sling Media Support - Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry. Just click the question to reveal the answer.

What do I need to know before I get started?
SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry is currently available for select BlackBerry models that are running specific versions of BlackBerry® Device Software. This page has a link to our Mobile Downloads page, where you can find a list of supported devices, as well as the device software versions that are required.
How do I get it?
The only way to get SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry is to download it directly to your phone from our Mobile Downloads page. There's a link to it to the right. Navigate to this page directly from your BlackBerry device's web browser, then use this link.

We do not have a desktop download of the BlackBerry software currently available.
Why hasn't Sling Media added support for new BlackBerry devices? Why do you still not support CDMA BlackBerry devices, such as those from Verizon Wireless or Sprint?
Most smartphone operating systems allow a single software design to work on multiple devices from multiple manufacturers. Unfortunately, the BlackBerry operating system is such that SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry needs to be developed specifically for each BlackBerry model. That, along with the significant differences in each major version of the BlackBerry OS, make development and testing a daunting proposition for a product like ours. Worse, there are some very significant problems with implementing our streaming protocols on CDMA BlackBerry devices. We’ve simply been unable to achieve the level of streaming quality that customers would consider acceptable.
What about adding BlackBerry OS 6 or 7, or native PlayBook (QNX) support?
Again, based on the considerations mentioned above, we currently have no plans to update SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry to support new BlackBerry models that run BlackBerry OS 6 or 7. As for native PlayBook or other QNX devices, all we can say is that we are keeping an eye on this market to see how it develops.
The mobile web site says my phone isn't supported. I think it is!
If you try to download SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry from our Mobile Downloads page, and you're getting an error telling you that your phone isn't supported -- even though you're sure that your phone is supported -- the problem may be with how your phone's browser is set up.

If your BlackBerry smartphone is set to identify itself as anything other than BlackBerry, our mobile site can’t tell if it is a supported model or not. To fix this, go to Options > Browser Configuration on your phone and set the Browser Identification or Emulation Mode to BlackBerry. Then try again.
Will SlingPlayer Mobile for Blackberry work with my device?

Sling Media has tested SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry on the following devices:

United States:	Canada:	United Kingdom:
BlackBerry Bold from AT&T BlackBerry Curve 8900 from T-Mobile* BlackBerry 8820 from AT&T* BlackBerry Curve 8320 from AT&T* BlackBerry Curve 8320 from T-Mobile* BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 from T-Mobile* BlackBerry Pearl 8120 from AT&T* BlackBerry Curve 8350i from Sprint Nextel*	BlackBerry Bold from Rogers Wireless BlackBerry Curve 8900 from Rogers Wireless BlackBerry 8820 from Rogers Wireless * BlackBerry Curve 8320 from Rogers Wireless * BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 from Rogers Wireless * BlackBerry Pearl 8120 from Rogers Wireless * BlackBerry Curve 8350i from TELUS*	BlackBerry Bold BlackBerry Curve 8900* BlackBerry 8820* BlackBerry Curve 8320* BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220* BlackBerry Pearl 8120*

*Supported by SlingPlayer Mobile when used with a Wi-Fi connection.

Are there specific BlackBerry® Device Software requirements? Are there network requirements?

You need 3G wireless service and/or Wi-Fi Internet connectivity with a network download speed of 120 Kbps (or higher), 2 MB free memory for installation on your device, plus the minimum device firmware versions listed below. (To check the firmware version on your BlackBerry device, select Options from your home screen, and then select About. The third line shows the version of the firmware that’s installed on the device.)

United States:

United Kingdom:

Bold – minimum 4.6.0.0 and above; optimal at 4.6.0.167 and above
8900 – minimum 4.6.1.0 and above; optimal at 4.6.1.114 and above
8820 – minimum 4.5.0.0 and above; optimal at 4.5.0.110 and above
8350i – minimum 4.6.1.0 and above; optimal at 4.6.1.83 and above
8320 – minimum 4.5.0.0 and above; optimal at 4.5.0.81 and above
8220 – minimum 4.6.0.0; optimal at 4.6.0.180 and above
8120 – minimum 4.5.0.0; optimal at 4.5.0.110 and above

Bold – minimum 4.6.0.0 and above; optimal at 4.6.0.167 and above
8900 – minimum 4.6.1.0; optimal at 4.6.1.92 and above
8820 – minimum 4.5.0.0 and above; optimal at 4.5.0.110 and above
8320 – minimum 4.5.0.0 and above; optimal at 4.5.0.81 and above
8220 – minimum 4.6.0.0; optimal at 4.6.0.174 and above
8120 – minimum 4.5.0.0 and above; optimal at 4.5.0.110 and above

Can I use SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry with my mobile phone's data plan?
A lot depends on your provider and their data plan. Some cellular phones and carriers may require you to change specific settings to allow video streaming from your Slingbox to your mobile phone. If you can view your Slingbox on a computer outside of your home network -- but you can't watch TV from your Slingbox on your mobile phone -- check with your carrier to ensure that your phone and data plan are configured to allow video streaming from your Slingbox.

SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry has a 30-day free trial period. Please try it on your phone with your data plan before you buy it.
How easy is it to switch back and forth between sending/receiving text messages and watching SlingPlayer?
SlingPlayer works like other BlackBerry applications. Just press the Menu key on your BlackBerry and then select Switch Application.
How do I check if my BlackBerry is up to date?
See the link on this page to an article that can help you: How to check for and install BlackBerry device software updates.
How can I get the best streaming with SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry?
See the link on this page to an article that can help you: How to optimize streaming performance in SlingPlayer Mobile.