Wireless Wednesday for 2/5/14: With Mitch Evans - Winter Olympics Technology

The Winter Olympics will start in less than 48 hours, so Rick and Mitch talk technology on display at the Winter Olympics.

Have a listen:

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/5/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 1’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/5/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 2’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/5/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 3’ on Audioboo

* TOPICS -
The Winter Olympics in Sochi are about to begin and Rick and Mitch take a look at some of the technology behind the games.


1.   Lockheed Martin - Under Armour Suits for U.S. Speedskaters

US speed-skating team have had some engineering help from Lockheed Martin, the world's largest defence company.

Working with performance clothing specialist Under Armour, Lockheed Martin, which manufactures fighter jets, have spent more than two years developing this futuristic gear.
Using wind tunnel tests to evaluate how aerodynamic their prototypes were, the companies have developed a suit with minimal drag and supreme air-cutting abilities. Codenamed the Mach 39, the suit is covered with tiny bobbles which are designed to disrupt the air in the same way that a golf ball does.

The suit also features a heat-reducing mesh panel on the back, and friction-reducing patches on the legs.

 


2.  Artificial Snow Guns

Artificial snow guns will ensure the mountains are white no matter what the weather. Artificial snow is often regarded to be of a better quality than that provided by Mother Nature. That’s because the air turbulence in machines causes small spheres rather than six-sided flakes to form, and these are more resistant to melting thanks to a smaller surface area.
 


3. Isothermal blankets

The highly insulated fabric has been used to preserve 16million cubic feet of snow for an entire year.

Channels have been dug from the highest peaks down to the ski slopes, to persuade snow to accumulate in the competition areas.

Technology etailer Ebuyer’s main features editor, Daniel Young said: “The technology to create snow can be very complex as you need to keep the snow at the perfect temperature throughout the whole process.

“Keeping the snow cold when it’s on the ground will be a tough task as Sochi has a similar climate to the coastal Mediterranean, but with a higher winter humidity.”

4.  BMW and the Bobsleds

BMW bobsled, which was constructed in conjunction with the US Bobsled and Skeleton Foundation.

The car manufacturer’s expertise in aerodynamics and engineering resulted in the production of a super-sleek, ultra-speedy, carbon-fibre bobsled – with a BMW badge at the front.
The US Bobsled team also has been helped by NASCAR's Geoff Bodine and NHRA drag racer Jeg Coughlin and their teams.

 

5. Comcast

A new service of Comcast’s Xfinity service, called “X1″ will allow persons watching on their TV sets at home, on their computers, mobile phones and tablets, the ability to see “Every Minute, Every Medal, Every Screen” of the Winter Olympics, either in real time or on demand.  NBC, which is a division on Comcast, is providing broadcast coverage of the Olympics on WTHR/Channel 13 and on the CNBC, MSNBC, USA and NBC Sports Network cable channels. Some 500 hours worth including in prime time on NBC.  But there’s over 1,100 additional hours of Olympics coverage available to Comcast customers with the new X1 service.

App of the Week  -   NBC Live Extra app

The Olympics provide sport's ultimate kaleidescope, and coming this February, NBC will be your exclusive source for LIVE streaming video coverage of the Sochi Winter Olympics online and in our mobile/tablet apps. All 15 sports. All 98 medal events. All live!

WHAT IS NBC OLYMPICS LIVE EXTRA?
NBC OLYMPICS LIVE EXTRA is the sign-in process that will allow you to gain access to select U.S. Olympic Trials and 1,000+ hours of live coverage and full-event replays of the 2014 Olympics. It is available exclusively online at NBCOlympics.com and via the NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA APP.

WHAT DO I NEED TO WATCH VIDEO ON NBCOLYMPICS.COM/LIVEEXTRA?
You must be a subscriber to a TV provider video package that includes specific NBCU networks (varies by provider). You will also need to provide your online credentials during the verification process.
 

Wireless Wednesday for 1/29/14: With Mitch Evans - Winter Tech Tips and Super Bowl

Rick is back in town from Orlando and the PGA Merchandise Show- He gives some tech tips for a Winter Storm and  take a look at Super Bowl tech.

Have a listen to all three parts

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 1/29/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 1’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 1/29/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 2’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 1/29/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 3’ on Audioboo

1.   DEEP SOUTH WINTER STORM TIPS

-    Keep your wireless phone batteries charged at all times. Have an alternative plan to recharge your battery in case of a power outage, such as using your car charger to charge your device or having extra mobile phone batteries on hand.

 -   Program all of your emergency contact numbers and e-mail addresses into your mobile phone. Numbers should include the police department, fire station and hospital, as well as your family members.
-    Track the storm and access weather information on your wireless device. Many homes lose power during severe weather. If you have a wireless device that provides access to the Internet, you can watch weather reports on your phone.**
-  Camera phones provide assistance. If you have a camera phone, take, store and send photos — even video clips — of damaged property to your insurance company from your device.
- Try text messaging. During an emergency situation, text messages may go through more quickly than voice calls because they require fewer network resources
-  If you know for some reason that you just have to expose your device to the cold for an extended period of time, turn it off and don’t turn it back on until it has warmed up (this helps to keep condensation from forming.)

* Finally, for protecting yourself, if you’re going to use your device outside or in cold temps, get yourself a pair of touchscreen gloves that you can leave on while using your device.   


2. Super Bowl Technology

-  SAP is providing fans with an in depth look at the conversations around one of the biggest sporting events of the year. And there’s no more engaging time than during the days leading up to Super Bowl XLVIII.

Beginning Wednesday, January 29, the NFL.com Stats Zone with Insights from SAP will bring SAP’s technology to Super Bowl Boulevard in Times Square, with dynamic data visualizations that allows fans to monitor online discussions around key Super Bowl topics and provide a better understanding of how plays on the field effect conversations online.
 
The Super Bowl will again be streamed live online.

Fox said that it would offer free access to all users on computers and tablets through its app

App of the Week  - Super Bowl Ad Meter

For those who say the real show lies in legendary Super Bowl commercials, well, USA Today is requesting your opinion on which ones are the best. The Super Bowl Ad Meter is a yearly gauge that the newspaper uses to help determine which spots were hits and which were misses, and in order to get that gauge this year, it's asking anyone and everyone to sign up to be a critic.

Signing up means that on game day, from kickoff though to the final whistle, you'll be asked to rate every single ad shown during the game, even halftime. Don't worry if you miss some, because the website will have them for you to watch as well. Then, when Monday rolls around and you see news stations and articles all over the country referring to the Ad Meter when recounting which commercials were the best, you get the satisfaction of knowing you helped contribute to the rankings. Plus, you may actually get to see some of the commercials online ahead of time.

 

Wireless Wednesday for 1/22/14: With Mitch Evans - PGA Merchandise Show Part 1

* TOPICS -
Rick is in Orlando at the PGA Merchandise Show with Brian Katrek and others.... He loves to go searching for the new and cool golf gadgets to tells us about.
The 2014 PGA Merchandise Show has over 1000 exhibitors, 50,000 attendees, over 10 miles of aisles to walk and all the cool golf products you would expect.



1.   Putter Wheel - Putting training aid   (3 for $40)
 
It doesn't look like a normal ball, but the PutterWheel is the same weight as a standard ball and has the same cover as a ProV1. So, despite the fact that you're looking at significantly less material, it's supposed to feel pretty similar to a normal ball.

There are a few little cues that the training aid provides to help with alignment: First, the straight lines of the ball function the same way drawing a line on your ball does - and at address, you can see pretty clearly if your feet are going on the same line the ball is. Second, there's a red ring that runs around the inside circumference of the ball. If you see any red when you're standing over the ball it means your eyes aren't directly over the ball.
If you don't put a square stroke on this ball, it's going to wobble around and miss the cup instead of rolling straight. The wobbly feedback steers you towards hitting the ball with a square, descending blow.

2.   GAME GOLF - New Wearable Shot-Tracking Technology
2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell is on board with Game Golf and he gave a demonstration on how it works.
It's cool technology, explain it's vesatile, and the statistics golfers are able to review following a round of golf are amazing.  To help bring GAME GOLF to life, McDowell displayed one of his previous rounds and highlighted some of his favorite features.
 

3.  Rife Putters
Grooves on a putter face
RIFE Golf is the true innovator behind horizontal grooved face putter technology with a patent on specifically sized grooves since 1997. These precisely spaced grooves allow the putter to gently press into the cover of the ball and grip and lift it into an instant forward roll. RIFE states, "just as grooves in irons help control spin so do grooves in a putter face." Other companies are now trying to imitate this patented technology but the spacing of the grooves is the true key to the gripping and lifting effect of grooved face putter technology. Horizontal RollGrooveTM faced putters create the truest "no skid" roll in golf no matter where you hit the ball on the putter face
 


4.  Eye Loc headgear  $79.99
EyeLoc Head Gear is designed for indoor, low light outdoor and bright light outdoor conditions.

Moulded from Grilamide TR90, a thermoplastic polyamide, the unisex frames are strong, flexible and lightweight.

The yellow or polarized lenses are impact resistant with excellent optical clarity.

A hard case with an inner soft sleeve are included.

 
 



 

* If we have time-  Adams Golf  -  High tech golf club manufacturer
Rick plays some Adams clubs
Maker of the most-used hybrids on the PGA Tour for six consecutive seasons, Adams increased its presence to 37 percent of all hybrids in play in 2013. This goes along with the company topping the Champions Tour count each of the last nine years and ranking as the most-played hybrids on the Web.com Tour since 2006. Adams also earned top billing on the European Tour for the first time and won the LPGA Tour season hybrid count.
 
Adams’ renowned heritage in hybrids has been documented by Golf Digest, which awarded the company ‘Hybrid Innovation Leader’ honors in each of the five annual Hot List issues. No other category has been so ruled by a single manufacturer.
 
The company recently re-introduced the legendary Tight Lies fairway wood with great fanfare. It features the classic revolutionary club design, combined with today’s technology, making it easy-to-hit from any lie. A tri-level sole design reduces the amount of turf interaction to create a larger impact area below the ball and promote crisper contact and more optimal launch.
 
Adams Golf, the maker of the #1 Hybrids on Tour, produces easy-to-hit products that all players can use to enjoy the game more. For more information, please visit www.adamsgolf.com or shop.adamsgolf.com.
 
#1 Hybrids on Tour claim based on usage on the PGA, Champions, LPGA, European and Web.Com Tours, as reported by the Darrell Survey Co. and Sports Marketing Surveys, Inc.



App of the Week  - Ernest Sports new Club Fitting App  $20 for iPad

Based in the Metro Atlanta area, Ernest Sports is a company known for their technology advances when it comes to launch monitors.
Now they have an app that goes along with their popular ES12 monitor and it gives you the ability to see and evaluate different data from your swing to see what your best choices may be when it comes to picking out new clubs.
All makes and models of clubs are entered into the app
It will email you fitting results
Great graphics
Ball speed and distance data recorded.
http://ernestsports.com/club-fitting-app/
 

Wireless Wednesday for 1/15/14: With Mitch Evans - Palm Springs, Clinton, CES and More

Rick does two segments with Mitch tonight as he is in Palm Springs for the Humana Challenge and a chance to hand with Bill Clinton at his health summit.

 Have a listen:

* TOPICS -

Rick is in Palm Springs for the Humana Challenge PGA event had the Clinton Foundation Health and Wellness summit... and he had the opportunity to hand with President Bill Clinton at the conference.

But also CES wrapped up.

The 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is finished in Las Vegas - We take a look at what is popular so far...  

That means thousands of weird and wacky gadgets were announced and shown to the press.
Here is some of the craziness.

1.   Clio

A so-called "invisible speaker," is from Clear View Audio. The Clio uses a clear membrane that causes vibrations to create sound. It also has a small base that is available in a variety of colors. The small speaker is built for living rooms and bookshelves and retails for $349.
http://www.clearviewaudio.com/
 


2.  Sleep Number x12

A new Sleep Number bed
We are all looking for better sleep.
Monitoring your sleep patterns with an activity tracker is now fairly common. Sleep Number take that to another level with the x12 bed with built in sensors on each side of the bed to monitor each person's sleep. If your partner snores, you can tell the bed to raise the noisy person's head to hopefully shut them up.
SleepIQ is a touch free, non-intrusive technology developed in partnership with BAM Labs. It monitors the user while in bed including their average breathing rate, movement, and average heart rate. The tech then has an algorithm that takes that information and provides a SleepIQ score for each person in the bed, each night. The x12 bed will ship in February starting at $7999.99.
 


3.  TREWGrip and Typo  (2 diff keyboards)
TREW Grip - An in-the-works keyboard that is held upright like a steering wheel.

The keyboard was designed specifically for small tablets such as the Nexus 7 and the iPad mini. Made by a small, private Cincinnati company, TREWGrip's keys are on the back side of the device, where users' fingers are positioned as they hold the keyboard upright.

Users place their tablet in a suction mount in the middle of the keyboard. Once the tablet and keyboard connect through Bluetooth, users can start typing. Moving the mouse is just as weird -- users rotate the TREWGrip around to navigate using the device's accelerometer. Although the TREWGrip is unique and interesting, it's hard to believe it will catch on.
No price as of yet.

 
Typo

American Ido l host Ryan Seacrest is one of the backers behind the Typo iPhone case that puts a BlackBerry-type Qwerty keyboard on top of your iPhone. It's just the thing for someone who has used a BlackBerry for so long they just can't change. The only spanner in the works is Typo admit BlackBerry has launched legal action.
 

4.  Yellow Jacket's iPhone stun gun

Yes, it's a tough and rugged case that will protect your iPhone and, with an in-built battery, keep your phone charged longer. And if you happen to see someone you have an issue with, flick a switch and your iPhone case is a stun gun. It's legal in most places in the US except New York.
It's non lethal. But gives you a medium-sized shock
 



App of the Week  - the course Rick played earlier today Sliver Rock

The Silver Rock Resort app  (Free)

What a beautiful course
The SilverRock Resort App includes a GPS enabled yardage guide, tee time booking, course information and more.

Owned by the City of La Quinta and Managed by Landmark Golf Management, SilverRock Resort’s Arnold Palmer Classic Course, a home course of the Bob Hope Classic 2008-2011, is a challenging 7,578 yards, sprawling over 200 acres with massive native bunkers and stunning water features set against the backdrop and natural beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains.
Rick played horribly
 

Wireless Wednesday for 1/8/14: With Mitch Evans - CES 2014

Rick and Mitch are back together in 2014.  The big Consumer Electronics Show is going on in Las Vegas.

Have a listen:

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 1/8/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 1’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 1/8/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 2’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 1/8/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 3’ on Audioboo

Show Notes:

* TOPICS - The 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is underway in Las Vegas - We take a look at what is popular so far...  

If you have never been to CES - it is massive. Miles and miles of conventions space with every electronics company showing their new products


1.  Remote Controlled vehicles, cars, helicopters controlled by your smartphone

MOTO TC Rally, which debuted this holiday season. Griffin's booth will feature a large, 14’ x 9’ elevated racetrack with banked corners that will encourage CES attendees to take MOTO TC Rally for a spin around the track. The new remote-controlled race car connects to iOS devices via Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE v4.0) and features super quick maneuvering capabilities via proportional steering; impact sensors that detect bumps and crashes changing the way the car handles; a fully independent, shock-absorbing suspension; power rear-wheel drive; and ground effect lighting.

 

Griffin’s new app-powered HELO TC Chopper, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE v4.0) version of Griffin’s original twin-rotored HELO TC helicopter in high-visibility yellow. Using the free HELO TC Chopper App, users can fly the chopper in one of two ways: Touch Control, using the Multi-Touch display to maneuver the chopper; or Tilt-to-Fly mode, in which users tilt their iOS device to move the chopper forward, back and side to side. The Record & Recall feature can record and store up to three Flight Plans so users can repeat a favorite flight pattern easily. Make up routes among the furniture, missions to fly, obstacles to avoid, goals to achieve, and replay them later with friends. An Auto-Land feature brings HELO TC Chopper down for a safe landing with just a tap. HELO TC Chopper, regularly $49.99, is now available with special CES show pricing for $29.99 at store.griffintechnology.com/helo-tc-chopper.

 
MOTO TC Rally and HELO TC Chopper both require iOS 6.0 or later and are compatible with iPhone 5/5s, iPhone 4S, iPod touch (5th generation), iPad (3rd & 4th generations), iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad mini with Retina Display.



2.  Griffin's Multi-Dock

MultiDock, their premium business solution for charging, syncing, and docking multiple devices. Ideal for deployment in schools, businesses, and enterprise settings, MultiDock is available in two configurations: a single 10 bay unit and a stacked 30 bay cart complete with smooth rolling wheels, a handle and a lockable laptop tray. Six MultiDock units, capable of charging up to 60 devices at once.

 


3.  Biometrics that we all use

Fingerprint sensors and eye scanners aren't new, but their presence in consumer technology was minimal until last year's introduction of the iPhone 5S. Now smartphone and tablet manufacturers are tripping over themselves to build fingerprint scanners into their devices.

It doesn't stop at fingerprints. Thanks to the iPhone, the whole category of biometrics is suddenly red-hot. You can bet on devices, systems and even physical locks that scan some part of your body to use as your password. A lot of discussion will also focus on whether that's a good idea.
 


4.  The Connected House

We've talked about this before.  Rick was one of the first people that AT&T let visit their "House of Tomorrow." We soon won't be turning knobs and pushing button and flipping switches in the home. Most things will be controled by an app.

In 2017, more than 11 million U.S. broadband households will have a smart home controller, up from 2 million in 2013, according to research firm Parks Associates. AT&T and Comcast launched home automation offerings in Denver and across the country in recent years, allowing homeowners to control thermostats, doors, security systems and other products via tablets and smartphones.

Two years ago, Nest’s smart thermostat won a top innovation award at CES. Other stand-alone smart home products are also hitting the mark, such as the Philips Hue lighting system featuring smartphone-controlled multicolor LED bulbs. The system is very simple to set up and use.
The HomeSitter will alert you via your smartphone when there is an issue with your house or apt.

 "App"ifacation of cars

Audi chairman Rupert Stadler is delivering the second pre-show keynote this year, perhaps the most notable appearance by an automaker at CES. As such, Audi is expected to announce a major partnership, reportedly with Google and to integrate its Android mobile operating system into future Audi models.
Ford has also been at the forefront of putting all sorts of apps in cars.
“The whole automobile area is exploding in terms of not only electric cars, (but) cars that do things on their own." “They take over the driving, they warn you of lane changes, they tell you if you’re falling asleep. There’s all sorts of things like that out there that’s definitely very big and very fast growing.”

Apps of the Week  

Favado  (Free for iOS)

The Favado app aggregates sales data for your local grocery, drug and big box stores. You’ll find the freshest sale data from the weekly ad, and if a sale item also has coupons available, Favado will tell you where to find them. Build a shopping list from the sales, and you’ll be able to stop over-spending at the grocery store.

Favado makes it easy to “know before you go” and make sure you’re only buying your favorite items before they go on sale. Doing so can save you up to 70% on everyday items! You’ll save the most if you build a shopping list around the week’s sales, but you can also use the search function to compare prices before you run out for milk.

Money saving experts across the country hand select the very best sale prices, even secret sales, from more than 65,000 grocery and drug stores nationwide, and add them weekly into Favado -- so that the very best deals are right at your fingertips.
 
And Audio Roadshow  - A new app where you will be able to listen and leave feedback for the shows on 92.9 The Game and other CBS stations.

App will debut shortly.