Wireless Wednesday for 9/9/15: New NFL Technology

With the NFL season kicking off in a matter of hours, Rick and Mitch take a look at some of the new technology debuting this season in the National Football League.

Have a listen:

1.   Referees looking at "Instant Replays" on tablets

** This was tested in the preseason
instant replay reviews by referees.

“Now, instead of waiting for the referees to go under the hood, they will be able to view the image on the tablet and say: ‘Look at this angle. The guy is out of bounds,’ ” said Jeff Tran, Microsoft’s director of sports and alliances from the devices and studios marketing group.  “And he’ll be able to share it with the other referees in the crew, and they can make the determination on the challenge.”

2.  A Pen -   but not just an ordinary pen

A pen that allows coaches and players to diagram on the screen “ under any weather conditions. ”The pen function allows coaches to annotate on top of high-resolution images in different colors to help players visualize the instruction. During the preseason trial, the pen will also allow coaches to annotate over film clips, too.

There’s also an application on the Surface Pro 3 that is a digital version of a whiteboard that coaches use in meeting rooms to diagram plays.

3.  NFL's Extension of the Partnership with Twitter

The National Football League and social media giant Twitter have entered into a two-year partnership that will make more multimedia content available to roughly 300 million Twitter users. Details of the deal indicate that the NFL will triple the volume of photographs and in-game highlights that are distributed on the social network.
That covers highlights from the start of the NFL pre-season all the way through Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016. Besides video of the most exciting plays during games, NFL’s social media team will be publishing infographics as well as overall game recaps specifically developed for the Twitter audience. Of course, the NFL also has agreements with social networks like Facebook and online video distribution networks like YouTube, thus it’s likely similar content will be available outside of Twitter.

While Twitter representatives declined to comment, it’s highly likely that NFL content will be integrated heavily into Twitter’s “Project Lightning.” Demoed to Buzzfeed during June 2015, the new format will package content from ongoing real-time events into a new design for users. This content will be hand-selected by a team of editors within Twitter and attempt to provide more comprehensive coverage of events like award shows, sporting events and important stories trending in the news.
 


4. App Evolution

The NFL and its teams, with help from tech innovators, have launched a slew of apps for fans. The league launched NFL Now last summer, teams have launched their own follower-focused apps and The New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers have launched game day, venue-oriented apps. All are essentially about raising engagement with fans.

NFL partner Verizon Wireless offers NFL Mobile which can allow users to stream live primetime matches and more. It’s safe to assume that AT&T’s buy up of DirecTV, if approved, will result in a NFL Sunday Ticket app for its 100 million plus wireless subscribers.

The league offers yet other apps/services and all the content to power the apps and other distribution channels. But are more needed or is what’s available enough? And you can expect the league to enhance and advance NFL Now for its second season debut. To recap, it provides live non-game content and on-demand programming customizable by team and player.
 

5.  NFL Expanding "Live Streaming" to fans outside the US

NFL is still trying to figure this out, but live streaming of NFL games will be avaialble to fans in more countries.
 

6.  One thing we won't be seeing in 2015 will be Drones hovering over the line of scrimmage
Not a single drone has flown -- at least not for football purposes -- in training camps. Some teams have been delayed or deterred by FAA regulations, but based on recent conversations with multiple coaches, there remains a fair degree of skepticism about the current value and necessity of drone videos.

Advocates say a drone's ability to hover close to the line of scrimmage offers a unique vantage point for teaching and correcting mistakes. As of now, however, only a few NFL decision-makers agree.

"We looked at it hard, and for us it's just not there yet," Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh said.


App of the Week:

NFL CONNECT

* Free for iOS, Android and Windows
Watching your team take on its hated rivals can really stoke your competitive fire. If you want to channel that energy into more than screaming at your screen, consider downloading NFL Connect. This free app puts you in a head-to-head competition with friends and rivals during a live game. You win by predicting and connecting in-game events such as touchdowns, penalties, and sacks.
To participate in this Bingo-like battle, you and your opponent choose a matchup—the Sept. 10 Steelers vs. Patriots game, for example. Each of you is given a game board of 16 randomly generated events that will likely happen during the football game. The goal is to be the first to connect a string of four consecutive events. “Connecting” gets you on the leader board where you’re ranked with other top players. As a bonus, a built-in chat feature lets you talk trash throughout your match.
 

Wireless Wednesday for 8/26/15: Dorm Room Tech

U.S. Open tennis kicks off in New York next week.  Will Serena win the Grand Slam and why it's wide open on the men's side...

Also, "Dorm Room" gadgets this week...

Wish we had some of these "dorm room" sized gadgets when I was in college...

1. The New Powerbeats2 Wireless earphones in fun colors that match the Apple watch and take up minimal real estate in precious backpack space.

Pair and play with your Bluetooth® device with 30 foot range

6 hour rechargeable battery
Premium sound in a lightweight design with flexible earhooks
Sweat and water resistant
Take hands-free calls and adjust music with no-slip-grip RemoteTalk™ controls*
Compatible with iOS devices and more..   Designed for the athlete and the person on the move.
Also you won't keep your roommate of neighbors awake if you use these great buds.

2. Tenda AC15 Performance Router   (New to the U.S.)

Doesn't take up much space and it's a powerhouse router

 Product Highlights:
    1900Mbps Concurrent Speed Dual-band Gigabit WiFi Router
    1300Mbps 802.11ac at 5GHz and 600Mbps 802.11n at 2.4 GHz
    Broadcom dual-core processor with DDR3 memory
    Beamforming+ technology to boost range
    High powered amplifiers & three external antennas
    Smart management of WiFi schedule
    MSRP: $129.99

Available at TigerDirect and http://www.tendacn.com/en/product/AC15.html

3. myCharge’s RazorPlus

Keep your mobile devices charged is a problem for the college student. The space-saving answer is the mycharge RazorPlus. This ultra, ultra thin battery pack is crafted from anodized aluminum, the ultra-thin Razor delivers an extra 13 hours talk time for your smartphone. All for $49.99
 

 
4.  Wonder Washer

The world's smallest washing machine

Wonder Washer portable washing machine goes anywhere! Perfect for dorms, apartments, RV, anywhere space is limited. No more trips to the laundromat. Ideal for small loads and delicates. No plumbing needed! Just fill with water, detergent, and laundry and set timer for up to 15 minutes on high or low cycle. Easy tote handle. Plugs into standard outlet. Seven liter capacity, weighs only eight pounds. 120 wolts / 60 HZ / 55 watts. Plastic, 14 x 14".
Portable washing machine goes anywhere
˙Ideal for small loads and delicates
˙No plumbing needed! Just fill with water and set timer
˙Seven liter capacity, weighs only eight pounds
˙Washer size 14 x 14
 

5.  World's smallest refrigerator   .14 cubic feet.

The Koolatron Coca-Cola Personal Cooler is the stylish and fun way to keep your drinks cold or warm. The Coca-Cola Personal Cooler looks like a small refrigerator and is perfect for the car, boat or home. State-of-the-art thermoelectric cooling technology allows the cooler to operate silently. The Koolatron Coca-Cola Personal Cooler holds up to six 12 oz. cans of your favorite beverage.
    4 l capacity holds 6 (12 oz.) cans or 4 – 500 ml bottles
    Operates on DC 12-volt/AC 110-volt
    Cools up to 32 degree F below ambient temperature
    1-sliding removable shelf
    Self-locking door handle

 
 
App of the Week:

TripScout  free for iOS

- a long time in the making... TripScout finally launches
TripScout provides self-guided city tours from top local guides. We show you exactly what you should see and do, provide audio guides that teach you about the local history and culture, and have customizable offline maps with GPS so you can navigate your way around without using your data connection. All you need is an iPhone to instantly have:

1. Curated Sites: Instantly have the top sites, neighborhoods, and activities on your mobile phone
2. Audio Tours: Hear engaging stories from locals about history, culture, and food at your own schedule and pace
3. Customizable: Pin additional points of interest, like restaurant recommendations or your hotel
4. Offline Maps: Use offline maps with GPS to navigate around the city without using data or WiFi

Wireless Wednesday for 8/11/15: Tablet Computers Invade Sports

Rick has been using an iPad for almost 5 years now. The iPad has become more powerful and easier to use. And there is an "app for everything"

It's taken a few years, but the world of sports has taken to tablet computers in a big way.

Rick and Mitch talk about tablets in sports...

and part 2 with the app of the week!

1.   The NFL and their Agreement with Microsoft and the Surface Pro 3

Microsoft’s five-year, $400 million deal with the NFL is finally going to start paying tangible dividends for fans, and not simply put the company’s Surface tablets in the hands of players and coaches on the sideline.

Every NFL player will have a motion-tracking chip in his uniform this season, and the data will be collected to create (almost) real-time replays that go above and beyond anything previously offered during television broadcasts.

***The basics: three to seven minutes after a particular play, the field position and vector data for every player on the field will be available in replay form. (Not every play, but you know, the ones you want to watch again.) In other words, you’ll be able to view the Xs and Os version of a play with the actual speed of every player on the field, as well as some additional graphical elements to highlight specific players or data points. The actual view will look like the screenshot below, with Microsoft’s graphics in the main frame, game video on the top right, and player data filling out the sidebar. …

 

2.  iPads and Women's Tennis and the WTA Tour

Coaches can bring iPads on the court to show players their stats.

The women’s tour is experimenting with on-court coaching rules that already allow players to call a coach to the sideline once per set for a 90-second, mic’d-up pep talk that is broadcast to television viewers. At the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford this week, coaches can also bring along an iPad loaded up with data.

The tablet has software designed by SAP, the tour’s technology partner since 2013, that collects live data from matches.

There are standard tennis stats, like aces and first-serve percentage, fed to the devices from the chair umpire’s electronic scoring system. For matches played on courts with Hawk-Eye, the line-calling technology used to challenge calls, there is much more, including graphics that display court positioning for each shot, where serves land and other player tendencies. A coach might zero in on specific points—for example, every time the score was 40-15—to show that a player didn’t play from an aggressive position.
 

3.  Smaller College Football Programs - Players Using iPads Too

Case in Point: South Alabama Football

South Alabama's football program is making greater use of the cloud this fall, in hopes that it'll help them bring the thunder on the field. So, it's not just the big programs that are using tablet technology.

The Jaguars this fall are taking advantage of new technology from XOS Digital called ThunderCloud that will allow coaches and players to have access to practice and game film on their iPads or other personal devices and watch them at home.
 

4. iPad helps with concussions in sports

Let's look at the tablet's ability to help assess concussions, a previously difficult task that relied on subjective reporting methods.

St. Edward High School (Cleveland) athletic trainer Jason Cruickshank, who uses the iPad in conjunction with the C3 Logix concussion assessment app to precisely track and monitor symptoms for athletes under his care.

Cruickshank first logs baseline profiles for each student, which are sent to the cloud for storage. When an incident occurs, he runs the same tests and compares the results to the baseline. The information is then displayed in a hexagon-shaped graph that highlights differences in data points like reaction time and balance.

As part of the larger C3 Logix system, the iOS app collects a variety of cognitive player information via the iPad's hardware. For example, the app harnesses on-board accelerometer and gyroscope data for quantitative postural stability and uses the high-resolution multitouch screen to capture an athlete's movement. All processing is done on the iPad.
 

5.  Apple to hold an event on Sept 9 to announce new devices

Apple has plans to announce new devices and applications on Sept 9 and some may revolve around sports...
Like Apple fall events past, this one too will focus on the company’s next-generation iPhones, which are expected to arrive at market with a pressure-sensitive Force Touch display, an improved camera system, and a significantly faster and power-efficient wireless chip. Sources say Apple executives are likely to show off the company’s latest iPads as well, though that 12.9-inch “iPad Pro” seems to be a wildcard, still.
Does this date mean there will be something cool right before the start of football season?
Maybe even a bigger iPad.. .called an iPad Pro, which could have huge implications in sports and video games.
We'll find out.


App of the Week:

Whitepages ID

Free for iOS

Eliminate phone scams.
Whitepages is the leader in North America in protecting consumers against unwanted calls. The company sources 2+ billion contact records a month and their current call protection apps have been downloaded over 30 million times.  

Whitepages ID provides an easy solution to help iOS users detect unwanted calls and avoid being a victim of spam and phone scams. Whitepages’ ability to protect consumers from unwanted calls is backed by robust phone reputation technology and a dedicated team of researchers.  In July, the Whitepages Phone Reputation team tracked 308 million phone numbers and detected 11.3 million calls and texts engaged in spam or fraudulent activities.

“Cell phone users have the right to protect themselves from unwanted calls,” said Alex Algard, founder and CEO of Whitepages. “Starting today, we’re giving Apple users access to our database of over 600 million phone numbers, user-generated feedback on spam, and round-the-clock tracking of new and pre-existing phone scams. It’s all about giving people the necessary information to protect themselves.”
How it works: Whitepages curates a broad list of spam and scam numbers, which gets updated at least twice daily and automatically sent to the user’s address book. When a call is made, Whitepages ID’s up-to-date spam/scam log detects those unsolicited calls and alerts the user in real time.
 

Wireless Wednesday for 7/22/15: Milwaukee, Major League, Major League Night and Baseball Technology

Rick happens to be in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this week working on some sports travel pieces.

He was at Miller Park for "Major League Night" last night, as in Major League the Movie...  he also reviews the new book "The Making of Major League"  and we talk new baseball technology.

1.  In Milwaukee for some travel pieces and "Major League Night" at Miller Park

Miller Park with its retractable roof, hosted Major League Night as in the movie as the Brewers took on the Indians...  was there a Rick Vaughn sighting?  The "cult" movie still lives on...

*** Plus Harry Doyle Talking Bobbleheads are given away

2.  Rick also has a review of the new book, "The Making of Major League" up on Examiner.com

- Authored by Jonathan Knight and a foreward written by Charlie Sheen himself
- A lot of insider info and tidbits in this book   5 Stars!
- The movie was almost never made....
- It was actually filmed mainly in Milwaukee at old torn down "County Stadium" and how Brewer fans really embraced the Indians
- and a ton more


*** New technology in Baseball

3.  MLB Statcast

Now, in every MLB ballpark, a black square box now hangs just above the park’s press box. But that box contains radar equipment which, along with a pair of high-definition optical cameras not far away, may soon revolutionize the way fans understand and enjoy the sport. They’re hardly noticeable, but there’s nothing that happens on a baseball field that they won’t notice.

All 30 MLB parks are now equipped with Statcast technology, an innovation years in the making that should eventually provide unprecedented insight into the game and those who play it.
The radar and cameras don’t just measure the speed of pitches and batted balls, but their spin rates and launch angles. Run through software in the production truck and in MLB Advanced Medias offices in lower Manhattan, they track defensive players’ reaction times, the efficiency of their routes to balls, and the strength of their arms. And they know runners’ top speeds on the basepaths, the size of their leads and the quickness of their first steps.  Being used on MLB Network.

4.  For College Baseball Players

Adidas debuted a light, new bat that fuses golf technology from Taylor Made Golf and baseball. The three-piece foam composite bat's third piece has a recoil system to reduce the "sting" many players feel when they hit the ball off the end.
 

5.  Kinatrax

The Tampa Rays are contracting Kinatrax to place their technology in Tropicana field, becoming the first major league team to do so.  

What is Kinatrax you ask? Well according to the company’s website, they make marker-less motion capture technology, with results that can be delivered in real time via cloud based services.  You may have heard of motion capture technology being used in movies such as “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” or in any video game that you’ve played within the last 10-15 years.  Usually, the motion capture process requires little reflective markers placed all over the body while the athlete or actor goes through the motions and a camera then picks up those markers creating a computer generated outline of the person’s appearance.

6.  Self Service Beer Taps at Miller Park

- Leave it to the Brewers and Miller Park to be innovators in terms of beer..
    Fans 21 and older will be able to purchase a $15 or $25 card that will act similar to a credit card. Fans can use their card on one of two machines and can pour up to 24 ounces of beer in a single cup. Beverages available include Miller Lite, Miller High Life, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy, and Redd’s Apple Ale.

    There is a maximum of two drinks per person per transaction.
 

App of the Week:

Travel Wisconsin App  -  iOS and Android and Free

Looking to escape the heat in the Georgia and the South

Head north to the friendly state of Wisconsin.  Tourism plays a big part in Wisconsin's economy - to the tune of $18.5 billion annually.

So get the "Travel Wisconsin" app

Description

The Travel Wisconsin™ iPhone app is a FREE application that provides Wisconsin visitors and residents with an "on-the-go" resource to find fun in Wisconsin.

By enabling the GPS capabilities of your iPhone in conjunction with our app, you can find the nearest attractions, events, or accommodations as you travel and explore the state. You’ll also be able to browse Wisconsin events by distance, date and location, as well as view categories such as "Arts & Culture" or "The Great Outdoors." Accommodation listings provide options for hotels, bed and breakfasts, resorts and campgrounds as well as their available amenities so you can easily select the option that is best for you. You can even receive directions and a map for each item listed in the Travel Wisconsin app. For more information, please visit travelwisconsin.com

 

Wireless Wednesday for 7/15/15: Using Tech to Stay Cool and Protect Yourself in the Heat

If you haven't noticed, it's been hot out.  Temps in the 90s and maybe we are heading to triple digits.

Technology can be used to keep you cool and protect yourself from the sun.
For those playing sports, being spectators at sporting events and concerts... this is critical

Keep safe this summer... and listen and learn

1.  Nuun - powdered hydrating beverage

Nuun is optimal hydration for athletes everywhere. You're always active, and your water should be too. Leading the way in portable hydration, Nuun has optimal electrolyte levels to make the most of your water. In the form of small tablets that disintegrate your water Nunn provides the necessary electrolytes and more you need while on and off the course and field of play.

Nuun Active and Nuun Energy contain an optimal blend of electrolytes (Na, K, Mg, Ca).

Nuun is used by athletes across many sports. In addition to Davis Love III, many players on the PGA Tour use Nuun to stay hydrated. Keegan Bradley, Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald, Charl Schwartzl, Jason Day and Adam Scott are just a few players that represent the brand --- without being paid.
 

2. Coconut Water... many athletes swear by it before, during and for recovery after competition.

ZICO Coconut Water

ZICO coconut water has five key electrolytes: sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. These elements work together to support your body with what it needs to stay hydrated, especially on a warm day on the golf course. ZICO’s products, which are gluten-free, lactose-free, and dairy-free, contain as much potassium as a banana. Zico Natural is 100 percent pure water from hand-harvested Thai coconuts. Fruit, chocolate, and latte-flavored varieties are also available for ZICO, and they all taste great!
 

3.  Clothes that breathe or keep you cool

Gone are the days of wearing those heavy cotton shirts on the tennis court or golf course.
It's all about new high tech materials that keep you cool in the hot weather and are light and airy.
Adidas makes a "ClimaCool" line, Under Armour makes a "Cold Black" line worn by Jordan Spieth and Nike makes "Dri-Fit" apparel.
 

4.  Mission EnduraCool™ Instant Cooling Towel

The Mission EnduraCool™ Instant Cooling Towel is made from a proprietary performance fabric that instantly cools when soaked with water, wrung out, and then snapped in the air to activate the cooling properties. The proprietary technology works by absorbing moisture and perspiration into the fabric core where the unique radiator-like fiber construction circulates water molecules and regulates the rate of evaporation to create a prolonged cooling effect.

$14.99 at www.missionathletecare.com

 


5. Under Armour UA Core 2.0 Sunglasses

Starting at $104.99 to protect your eyes
Under Armour's UA Core 2.0 sunglasses are loaded with features and a favorite of athletes all over the country.


The Core 2.0 model are diamond rated and offer maximum comfort with their three-point grip with adjustable nose pads and temples. A bonus cap gripper gives you a secure fit when the glasses aren't in use and worn upside down on the cap.

Even with all these features, the look and stylishness of the sunglasses are not lost.



App of the Week:

Tuber: The YouTube Companion [FREE]

Many of us just want to quickly watch our YouTube subscriptions — and nothing else. Sponsored or recommended videos can not only miss the mark, but the fact that in order to get to our subscriptions we are first presented with what many would  rather not see is annoying. Tuber is a YouTube client that fixes that, as it takes you to your subscription feed off the bat — with a pleasant and efficient interface to boot! There were easy ways to mimic this on the official client, but this is an app solution that will most likely remain stable and functional throughout time and updates.