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Microsoft Teams will bring fans into NFL stadiums virtually
That's certainly better than having completely empty stands.
Microsoft rolls out new Surface Pro Type Covers for NFL fans
Now that the NFL preseason is underway, Microsoft is taking advantage of the moment with a product designed specifically for football fans. If you own a Surface Pro 3 or Surface Pro 4, the company's rolling out new Type Covers featuring logos from all 32 NFL teams, in case you're interested in showing everyone your true colors. The themed peripherals, dubbed Surface Special Edition NFL Type Covers (say that ten times fast), are made from "premium quality" materials according to Microsoft. That said, they don't feature the same high-end, suede-like Alcantara fabric as the Signature Type Covers introduced a few months ago. Doesn't matter? Then you can get one today from Microsoft's site or one its retail stores for $160.
Harvard researchers built a health app for former NFL players
Since 2014, Harvard University has been running the Football Players Health Study, a program that examines the well-being of former NFL athletes as they leave the game behind. Now, as part of its ongoing research, the Ivy League college developed an app called TeamStudy, which uses simple physical activities, surveys and sensor data from an iPhone to learn more about the state of a player's health. The collected data comes together in one place thanks to Apple's ResearchKit, and Harvard researches say ex-NFL players helped design the iOS application, as they wanted it to focus on important issues including balance, memory, mobility and pain, to mention a few.
NFL overhauls its digital properties ahead of new season
The 2015-2016 season of the National Football League is about to begin, with the opening game scheduled for Thursday, September 10th. That means new apps, new services and, best of all, more ways to watch free games while on the go. Today, NFL announced that it has completely redesigned NFL Mobile, which will start featuring NFL Now, the league's online video network. As a result, Now won't be a standalone product any longer, as the NFL is making an effort to streamline its digital properties. What's more, the premium version of NFL Now, which offers access to NFL Films and other original content, is now going to be integrated into NFL GamePass. Pre-Season Live, AudioPass and GameRewind will also be a part of GamePass going forward.
NFL Now available to Apple TV-owning football fanatics
We knew that the National Football League's brand new online network would eventually come to the Apple TV. And now it's here. After not being a part of the NFL Now device lineup on launch day, Apple's streaming box is finally adding the video service to its growing channel portfolio. There are no Apple TV-specific features in tow, and therefore you should expect the same type of content as on apps from other platforms -- such as real-time highlights, live press conferences analysis and, with NFL Now Plus, access to the league's NFL Films vault. Don't worry if you're not seeing it on your Apple TV yet, as it's just started rolling out and it may take a little while before you see the app show up. It''ll be there soon, though, scout's honor.
What to expect from NFL Now, the league's new video network
It's been roughly six months since the National Football League announced NFL Now, a digital network designed from the ground up to, hopefully, fit the needs of fans on the internet. Today, the video service is finally scheduled to launch, just in time for the ongoing preseason and, soon, the start of the regular season. At first glance, it's easy to see that NFL Now has a lot of great attributes, but some that quickly stand out are its worldwide availability and the fact it doesn't require any sort of authentication, pay-TV and the like, in exchange for content access. Better yet, it will be available in a vast number of platforms and services from day one, including iOS, Android, Windows Phone 8, Windows 8, Roku, Yahoo Screen, Yahoo Sports and on the NFL Now website. That's not all, however, since the NFL's new service is expected to come to Xbox One, Kindle Fire and Fire TV soon, with the Apple TV reportedly in the same boat as those devices.
Microsoft has a new NFL app for Xbox One and Windows 8
The start of a new NFL season is just around the corner, and Microsoft's been working hard to improve the experience for football fans on the Xbox One. What's different now, among other things, is that the company's NFL application is expected to be ready by Week 1; as opposed to last year, when it showed up in Week 12 because of the timing of the Xbox One's launch. This time out, there are a lot more features too, with Fantasy Football and NFL Now, the league's upcoming online video service, playing a huge role in the refreshed version. First and foremost, Microsoft wants its NFL app to feel like your own, which is why it lets you personalize it with content from team and players you're interested in, as well as different media provided by NFL Network, NFL RedZone, NFL Sunday Ticket and, of course, NFL Now.
Here's how Microsoft plans to take over NFL sidelines
Are you ready for some football? Because Microsoft most certainly is. To go along with the introduction of a new NFL app for Xbox One and Windows 8, the software giant has also revealed how it plans to help professional coaches and players during games. As part of an ongoing partnership with the National Football League, which began last year and was reportedly worth $400 million over five years, Microsoft created what it calls a Sideline Viewing System. Naturally, the company's own hardware is a key component to this; the new system is powered by Surface Pro 2 tablets, and it allows NFL teams to review photos of plays instantly on the sidelines and up in the booths. For instance, say the quarterback goes back to the bench, the Surface can then be used to see the opposing team's defensive formation during the most recent drive -- and the same goes for the coaching staff that keeps an eye on the game from higher ground. Players are also able to draw on these images, making it easier for other members of the team to see something which stands out and needs to be checked.
NFL's online network is coming to Roku, Fire TV and Kindle Fire tablets
The National Football League has yet to formally launch its new digital network, NFL Now, but there's no doubt it will be fully prepared once it does. As such, the NFL has announced that Roku will join Microsoft, Yahoo and Verizon as distribution partners for its upcoming online video service. In other words, you can expect NFL Now to be available on Amazon's Kindle Fire and Fire TV, as well as Roku streaming boxes when it launches in August. Apps for iOS, Android, Windows devices and "select" game consoles are also set to be ready from day one.
Microsoft rolls out first Xbox One ad, highlights NFL features and Skype integration
Now that we know the release date for Microsoft's Xbox One, it's only natural for the company to start an ad campaign showcasing some features that are part of its next-generation console. Unlike what most would expect, however, the first video advertising the Xbox One isn't touting one of its main purposes: gaming. Instead, this particular 31-second spot focuses heavily on the new Xbox's integration with Skype and NFL-tailored features -- some of which include watching games live, built-in Fantasy Football and having access to personalized highlights. Of course, this is only the beginning, so expect to catch an ad with casual gamers actors playing Titanfall or FIFA 14 in the not-so-distant future. Check out the video for yourself right past the jump.
Google Maps goes inside an NFL stadium for first time, takes fans on a virtual tour of the Colts' home
The Indianapolis Colts obviously didn't have the best of luck while playing the eventual Super Bowl XLVII champions in the playoffs this past season, but something tells us a little 360-degree imagery might help turn those frowns upside down -- and that's for both local and long-distance fanatics. Starting today, Colts devotees (or any other curious folk, really) can virtually experience what Lucas Oil Stadium is all about thanks to Google Maps, making this the first time ever the Mountain View search firm has taken its hefty visual resources inside an NFL arena. As part of the virtual stroll, observers can experience a tour of the Colts' locker room premises, a tunnel that was once graced with Peyton Manning's presence and plenty of other areas around the stadium -- such as the Quarterback, Field Level and Loge-Level suites. It's very likely that Google will soon start taking its Maps team into stadiums you're, perhaps, more fond of -- until then, however, you may just want to peruse the gallery past the break to get a better view of the Colts' stomping grounds.
DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket returns to PS3 in time for the upcoming football season
With this year's National Football League season almost ready to kick off (not taking pre-season games into consideration, of course), DirecTV's properly preparing itself on all entertainment cylinders. The satellite provider announced earlier today that the well-known Sunday Ticket package will be returning to the PlayStation 3 on September 4th via a PS Store update, allowing current subscribers to stream full-HD games directly to Sony's renowned console. As for those without any current attachments to DirecTV, however, there is an option out there -- one which costs a familiar $300 per NFL season. We've still got a few days until the madness gets started, which should be plenty of time to get approval from your better half to snag the action-packed ticket.
Cablevision set to offer NFL Network, RedZone Channel after finally striking a deal
It certainly took a lot longer than we expected it to, but it's here at last: Cablevision and the National Football League have finally struck a viewing deal -- a multi-year agreement, no less. Earlier today, the aforementioned TV provider announced it will start offering the well-known NFL Network and RedZone Channel to its Optimum TV customers starting tomorrow, with both channels being available in standard definition and, of course, high-def as well. Naturally, Cablevision users will have to be subscribed to the proper IO package in order to get the action included in these channels, but something tells us you won't mind upgrading your bundle if need be. The official word from the cable company's in the PR below, and now you have something else to look forward to tomorrow.
NFL adds Google+ Hangouts to fantasy football leagues for extra-personal trash talking
So your fantasy football team just clinched its spot in the virtual Super Bowl. There's now a better way to rub it in everyone's noses than snarky message board posts: Google has just teamed with the NFL to integrate Google+ Hangouts across the league's fantasy football pages. The multi-person video chat is now just a step away, whether you're trading players or checking the latest results. Google is even bending the rules slightly to allow for a full league's dozen players in one session, instead of the usual 10, and will help host talks between commentators and league participants. Hangouts at the NFL pages are already up and running -- that gives us just enough weeks to hem and haw over linebacker choices before the real NFL's schedule gets going.
How the iPad changed the NFL
The NFL season is sneaking up on American football fans faster than we know it, with all training camps starting up within the next two weeks. There's one thing that will be new to many of the NFL teams this year: iPads. NFL.com's Jeff Darlington provided an in-detail look last Friday at how the iPad and an innovative app are changing the way that football players and coaches sift through the mountains of statistics, game videos, and play diagrams that make up team playbooks. We've discussed a typical NFL playbook solution -- iPads and an app called Digital Playbook -- before, but Darlington's post really points out how many teams have either started replacing paper playbooks and videotapes/DVDs with iPads or are about to. A quick survey of the 32 NFL teams shows that fully half of them will be using the iPad in one way or another for the 2012 season. That's not counting the many teams that are letting players use personal iPads for video review purposes. Many teams are using solutions from Digital Playbooks or Global Aptitude to keep the playbooks secure, although players (like Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams) might do something dumb or spiteful and tweet a screenshot from the playbook. Needless to say, iPads have found a place in NFL team locker rooms and on team airplanes, and we're likely to hear a lot more about innovative uses for Apple's tablet in sports as the season progresses. [via CNET]
NFL renews TV deals with CBS, Fox, NBC for nine more years, money reportedly involved
Yeah, the NFL's really great and everything, but you know what would make it even greater? More. Money. Fortunately for Roger Goodell & Co., that's exactly what the league is due to receive, thanks to a slate of TV deals signed last week. The agreements, set to go into effect at the end of the 2013 season, effectively renew the NFL's current agreements with CBS, Fox and NBC, extending the league's TV contracts for a "record-setting" nine extra years. Not surprisingly, the deals will also funnel some extra pocket change through the NFL's coffers -- which will of course be coming from you, if you're subscribing to cable or satellite TV. Currently, the three networks pay a combined $1.94 billion in annual rights fees, but according to the LA Times, the league will now receive an average of $3.1 billion per year, as stipulated under its renewed agreements. In a statement, Commissioner Goodell said the deals underscore his league's "unique commitment to broadcast television," with CBS Chief Executive Leslie Moonves adding that his network will benefit from the NFL's "terrific, exciting programming," and from the consistently high ratings that "no other franchise delivers." The agreements, which come just a few months after the NFL inked a comparatively lucrative deal with ESPN, will also allow for the league to shift games between CBS and Fox, in order to bring "regional games to wider audiences." Each network, moreover, will air three Super Bowls over the course of the nine-year contract, continuing the rotation currently in place. Tebow past the break for the full PR.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to use iPads as playbooks, not PlayBooks
With the NFL season just a few days away, players and coaches have been busy lifting weights, doing interviews and counting their money. Sometimes, they even get the chance to study their playbooks -- or, in the case of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, their iPads. This year, the franchise has distributed a fresh batch of iPad 2's to all of its 90 players, as part of a new initiative from coach Raheem Morris. With the tablets, the Bucs can spend their free time reviewing their downloaded plays, while analyzing video footage from practices, games and opposing teams. In related tech news, the Detroit Lions just discovered fire.
NFL 'currently talking' with Verizon to distribute programming on tablets
Ah, so now we understand Verizon's intentions to hastily roll out LTE service to NFL cities. The NFL, which has sided with Sprint over the years when it comes to cellular distribution of content, is apparently in even deeper talks with newfound partner Big Red in order to get its prized content into even more hands. As the idea of watching NFL games on-the-go because more and more sensible, the league is apparently mulling the decision to distribute games (and potentially more) on the next big thing. You know, tablets. Brian Rolapp, the NFL's senior vice president of media strategy, recently said the following: "The NFL will be on a tablet. It's a question of what shape or form. We are currently talking to Verizon about it." VZW declined to comment on the rumblings, but it's really not a shocker -- the carrier's doing everything it can to get a live LTE network here in the States, and inking a deal with America's most popular sporting league would obviously bring in boatloads of revenue. The real question is this: what tablet is the NFL eying, and if it's not the Samsung Galaxy Tab, what's Verizon's second tablet going to be? Inquiring minds would love to know.
NFL mulling microchips in footballs for those life-or-death goal line rulings
The NFL is serious business. So serious, in fact, that the idea of refs getting decisions wrong sends chills up and down Roger Goodell's spine. Yeah, we all know they do it habitually, but the League seems to be considering improving accuracy just a little bit with the help of some tech. Cairos Technologies, a German outfit that's been trying to sell its goal line technology to football (as in soccer) bigwigs for a while, has told Reuters that it's in discussions with the NFL about bringing its magnetic field hocus pocus to the gridiron. The idea would be for the ref to be alerted, via a message to his watch, any time the ball does something notable like crossing the goal line or first down marker. It should be a great aid for making difficult calls like whether a touchdown has happened at the bottom of a scrum, and might even help cut down on the number of frightfully dull replay challenges. Win-win, no? [Original image courtesy of NFL.com]
