Slingbox arrives on Google TV

Slingbox maker Sling Media quietly rolled out official support for Google TV Wednesday night with the launch of a SlingPlayer web app optimized for the smart TV platform. Google TV support and a closed beta test had been announced earlier this year, but now it’s available for everyone who owns both a SlingBox and one of Logitech’s Revue set-top boxes. From the Sling website:

“SlingPlayer for Logitech Revue now works with the Slingbox to extend your complete living room HDTV experience to another TV in your home, or wherever you want to watch. Access the SlingPlayer app from Google Spotlight and change channels, navigate the program guide, or watch and schedule recordings on your DVR – all on the big screen.”

Sling Media, which is owned by EchoStar, rolled out a dedicated Boxee app for SlingBox owners last month. These apps are a welcome addition for any SlingBox owner, but also seem like an attempt to stay relevant in an era where TV viewers rapidly move to over-the-top and VOD options. Sling admitted as much with its Google TV roll-out when it reminded users who “haven’t used (their) Slingbox in a while” to update their firmware.