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Adidas miCoach Elite System set to equip all MLS teams in 2013, creates world's first 'smart league'
Today was yet another marvelous day for football buffs everywhere, as Adidas and MLS have announced Major League Soccer will be the first intelligent circuit on the globe. Having already planned an official debut for the German company's Elite System, now the pair's made it known that the wearable technology is going to be expanding well beyond next week's All-Star Game and into the MLS 2013 season. To refresh your mind a bit, the miCoach Elite System tracks an array of instrumental player data, such as speed (even if painfully slow like the Rio Ferdinand of late), acceleration, position, heartbeat and even the intensity of play -- which is then pushed instantly to, you guessed it, a coach's miCoach-equipped iPad. Adidas didn't mention when, or if, the Elite System will be adapted elsewhere, so we'll have to wait and see how long it takes others to join the "smart soccer" fun.
Adidas debuting miCoach tracking technology in this year's MLS All-Star Game (video)
While it's been a few months since Adidas launched those intelligent F50 miCoach cleats, it finally looks as if the German outfit's ready to test the tech on the football pitch. Adidas announced earlier today that its adizeros will be a part of the "world's first smart soccer match," during the MLS All-Star Game on July 25th in Philadelphia. With the help of the miCoach's tracking system, coaches are able to measure a player's speed and acceleration, how much ground was covered, the intensity of play, as well as spotting weaknesses and strengths. Naturally, the end results can then be analyzed on a computer or directly from an application on one of Apple's slates. Adidas says this is only the beginning, as it plans to bring the technology -- detailed in video form just after the break -- to other leagues around the world in the near future.
Roku planning to bring set-top boxes to Canada, UK in early 2012
It's been a big year for Roku. The streaming content box manufacturer launched its Roku 2 HD, XD and XS this summer, with a $50 LT model coming just last month. Now, the Netflix / HBO Go / Angry Birds player will cross the border into Canada and the U.K., with the expansion set to begin in early 2012. The company is looking to build its 350 channels with region-specific content, which can be provided free, supported by ads or with a subscription -- and if you choose to add your own content to the service, you'd certainly be in good company.
Must See HDTV (November 14th - 20th)
This week is all about going retro. Whether we're taking it back hundreds of years with knights and jousting, a half century or so for classics like West Side Story, My Fair Lady, and Looney Tunes, or just a decade to a classic videogame it's time to take a look back at where we've been. The good news is thanks to technology all are able to look better than ever -- although we'll hold off final judgement on the knights for now. Check below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listings of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary It's been ten years since Halo set off the storm of console first person shooters, and now the original is back and looking better than ever. This will no doubt thrill those who never got over the loss of its super-powered pistol in the subsequent Halo games, or pretty much anyone with fond memories of CTF runs in Blood Gulch. Our friends at Joystiq found everything intact and upgraded, however the Kinect integration was noted as "perfunctory." We probably won't be yelling "Reload!" at our screens very much but we'll definitely take this chance to rewind the clock in HD & 3D. (November 15th, $40 on Amazon) Knights of Mayhem we've never been in love with this trend of odd reality TV shows taking over networks that were previously devoted to science and exploration, but this one's odd enough that we'll give it a chance. Knights of Mayhem depicts the sport of full-contact professional jousting, all done King Arthur-style on horseback wearing heavy armor. We've seen enough episodes of Game of Thrones to know this can be pretty dangerous, but on the upside, a round might last longer than last weekend's UFC bout on Fox. Check out a trailer embedded after the break. (November 15th, National Geographic, 9 & 10PM) MLS Cup Final The entire MLS season has come down to this weekend's final match between the LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo. David Beckham has scored Comeback Player of the Year honors for his effort in returning from a torn Achilles to lead LA to the final match, we'll see if he and Coach of the Year Bruce Arena have what it takes to win the cup pictured above. That's about the extent of the soccer analysis we can offer, for the best of America's other pro football, tune in to ESPN Sunday night. (November 20th, ESPN, 9PM)
Roku 2 HD, XD, and XS officially launch: same price, smaller size and Angry Birds
Roku has gone from a barely known streaming media box manufacturer to a retail darling in a remarkably short amount of time (the last hardware revamp launched less than a year ago) and it's back with more new hardware to continue the assault. The Roku 2 lineup will put their (much smaller) footprint in the spaces left by their predecessors when they hit shelves later this month without changing the price one bit. Besides being more energy efficient, it brings new channels including Angry Birds, Epix, MLS and more, while also upgrading the Netflix experience with support for subtitles, surround sound and 1080p video. The pricing tiers of $60 (HD), $80 (XD) and $100 (XS) remain; while stepping up to the XD adds 1080p video output, splurging for the XS adds a game remote (a $29 accessory), included copy of Angry Birds plus Ethernet and USB ports. If you still need confirmation after all the leaks, there's another pic and a press release after the break, plus a quick demonstration of the box by the cutest product spokesperson of all time.
Panasonic rolls out new apps for its 2011 Viera Connect TVs, we go hands-on (video)
We knew Panasonic was going to unleash a slew of new apps for its Viera Connect televisions, and now it looks like they're finally ready to hit the ground running -- for its 2011 models, anyway. Back in January the company released its Viera SDK to developers, and now it has a smattering of games and sports apps to show for it, including the long-promised NBA Game Time, which includes standings and highlights from recent games. In case you're curious, there's no sign yet of Asphalt 5 HD, also announced at CES, though Panasonic says the title should be launching in the near future. Also on tap are MLS and NHL applications, each of which let you watch live games -- provided you subscribe to these leagues' live game packages. Panasonic says the NHL app is slated for the middle of this month, and you can expect MLS in early May. What we're most excited about, though, is an app that syncs with select NordicTrack treadmills (due out "later this year"), pairing your run with a first-person view in Google Earth. We can't wait to embark on a simulated run through the streets of Paris (versus, you know, actually going there), but alas, Panasonic wasn't ready to demo the app quite yet. As always, Viera's apps are arranged in a grid of large squares, right down to the standings and recorded matches in MLS, all of which makes these sets easy to navigate using a remote control. (We'll be curious to see what it's like playing Asphalt 5 with the remote, which you'll have to do if you don't want to spring for an optional wireless gaming controller.) The interface adds the occasional visual flourish, too, including a carousel of NHL standings and fly-in news categories in the AP's news app. The software is generally responsive, although you might find yourself waiting a few extra seconds for news blurbs and other information-heavy tidbits to load. Want a sneak peak at these apps before they roll out this spring? Hit the link and check out the gallery and hands-on video. %Gallery-120464%
Who? EA reveals FIFA 10 North American cover athletes
After EA announced a trio of British gents gracing the cover of FIFA 10 in Europe last week, the company today revealed the box art for the North American iteration. Cuauhtémoc Blanco of Chicago Fire and Sacha Kljestan of Chivas USA appear on the box, with Jason Bateman Chelsea's Frank Lampard taking center stage. EA also revealed the game's release date Stateside to be October 20, while a Euro release has been confirmed for October 2. We'll be spending the extra few weeks figuring out what exactly Chivas USA is. Peep the full cover and a new video of FIFA 10 in action after the break. %Gallery-69462%
Microsoft and Xbox sponsor new Seattle Sounders FC MLS team
Whether you call it soccer, football or "that game where people kick a ball around a large field", it isn't important. What is important is that you'll be seeing green Xbox 360 jerseys like the one pictured above on Major League Soccer (MLS) players next year, because Microsoft just announced their corporate sponsorship of a new Seattle Sounders FC team.In a deal that has Microsoft shelling out an estimated $20 million, the Seattle Sounders FC will make their MLS debut Spring 2009 in Xbox 360 style. The team's jerseys will be plastered with Xbox 360 and Xbox Live logos across the front, which instantly makes the Seattle Sounders FC our absolute favorite MLS team evar! (Sorry Beckham and the LA Galaxy, Xbox 360 jerseys are just too cool.) And, if you're as excited as us to wear a corporate sponsored jersey of your own, be sure to add your name to their mailing list to be informed when Seattle Sounders FC apparel will be going on sale. Delectable![Thanks, Jason (Indiana Hoosier)]
Microsoft, Xbox 360 sponsor new Major League Soccer team Seattle Sounders FC
Those of you who enjoy soccer of the North American variety will begin to see jerseys emblazoned with a very familiar logo (that of the Xbox Live service) when a brand spankin' new Major League Soccer team, the Seattle Sounders FC, makes its debut in the 2009 season. The team (not to be confused with other Sounders franchises in the NASL and USL) recently agreed to a 5-year, $20 million sponsorship from Microsoft and its hot-under-the-hood home console.In addition to fancy new jerseys, the young team's home field will be tiled "The Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field", and the 360 will reportedly be recognized as the "official and exclusive video game console of Major League Soccer." We pray Sony doesn't respond by sponsoring a competing MLS team -- to combine the zealous fanaticism associated with gaming consoles and soccer teams may incite a fanboy war that would tear our continent asunder.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
HDTV Listings for July 21, 2007
What we're watching: David Beckham apparently will play in an exhibition match tonight with his new team, the LA Galaxy against Chelsea on ESPN-HD. Other highlights tonight include The Illusionist on Starz-HD and a Bill Maher comedy special on HBO.Our traditional high-def listings continue below.
ESPN to broadcast all MLS games in high definition
MLS = Major League Soccer. Now that we have that out of the way Soccer fans can now enjoy the game in HD thanks to a deal cut with ESPN. This deal reinforces ESPN's commitment to HD as the network now offers seven sports categories with complete HD coverage. The MLS games will be found network-wide on ESPN2, ESPN and ABC but we are thinking that most will be on ESPN2. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it's just that soccer isn't as popular as, well, championship poker here in the US but maybe high definition will help.
MLS pushing "The Beautiful Game" on HDNet
In case you didn't have your fill of high definition round-ball football action during the World Cup on ABC & ESPN, Major League Soccer wants you to remember we play some soccer in HD over here too. They've scheduled 10 of the remaining 15 HDNet broadcast games, 7 of which will be exclusive to the network. All are broadcast in 1080i and 5.1 surround, the list of games scheduled so far follows.
