Olympics

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  • Virgin Media extends free tube WiFi for all until 2013

    Tweeting about the obnoxious individuals you share a tube platform with was expected to be a one-time thing if you weren't a Virgin Media customer. The Branson-backed provider had said that, once the summer games had finished, it would make the service exclusive to its own broadband subscribers. Now, however, the company has reversed that decision, extending the free period through until the end of the year. The Telegraph is reporting that the turnaround is in part thanks to wholesale talks with other ISPs, who are keen to offer the service as part of their own packages. Given that we're unlikely to make it into the stratosphere or the bottom of the ocean any time soon, we'll settle for pretending we're a daring explorer of the Piccadilly line.

    Daniel Cooper
    10.17.2012
  • Sony unveils Meb Keflezighi Edition Walkman W Series, fills it with the marathoner's coaching wisdom

    NBC may have retired its Olympic spirit by repurposing its dedicated app, but Sony's sporting fever hasn't broken, as its just announced the Meb Keflezighi Edition Walkman W Series. A special edition orange hue graces the third-time Olympic marathoner's device and, like the other players in the line, it features a water resistant design, a quick-charge mode and an eight hour battery life when fully juiced. Twenty-four minutes of audio coaching by Meb himself are preloaded into the player's 2GB memory, which is estimated to store roughly 470 songs. Eager to hear the athlete's dulcet tones as you pound the pavement? You can pick up the player for $69.99 at Sony's online and brick-and-mortar stores, or wait until October for its arrival at Walmart.

    Alexis Santos
    09.06.2012
  • NBC rebrands Olympics app as NBC Sports Live Extra, promises streams for a wider athletic universe

    NBC's Olympics Live Extra may have lost its original raison d'être after the flame was extinguished in London, but that doesn't mean it's time to purge the app from your phone's home screen. An update for Android and iOS users alike is giving the title new life as NBC Sports Live Extra, and the name makes it quite obvious that you'll have a lot more to watch than just biathlons and fencing. NBC expects to offer live streaming for the European PGA, LPGA, MLS, NHL, Notre Dame, PGA, Ryder Cup and other events or leagues culled from the channel formerly known as Versus. Highlights, social sharing and other side features will carry over as well. You don't have to do a thing beyond check for a new version to make the switch to the already updated apps, but you will have to subscribe to conventional TV to use them properly: NBC is requiring TV Everywhere authentication for access to most of what's on offer from NBC Sports Network and the Golf Channel.

    Jon Fingas
    09.01.2012
  • Alt-week 8.11.12: Robo-billies, quasicrystals and radioactive art

    Alt-week peels back the covers on some of the more curious sci-tech stories from the last seven days. It's not like we're trying to out-weird ourselves, it just, somehow, keeps happening. At least one of this week's offerings (we'll leave it to you to figure out which) will possibly be the creepiest thing we post all year. As for the rest, well it's slightly more palatable. We'll get uncharacteristically pumped about cycling, meet some extra-terrestrial quasicrystals and enjoy some art with X-men credentials. This is alt-week.

    James Trew
    08.11.2012
  • Doodle friday: End your week with a penalty shootout

    Relive the nail-biting insanity and inherent unfairness of soccer's penalty shootout over at Google right now, as you try to match our first-attempt score of 18 points and two gold stars. (We'll update this post as soon as an Engadget editor gets a result we can be proud of.) It's a ballistic way to end a run of Doodles that has already involved canoeing, hoops, hurdles and all-round Olympic work avoidance. Post your scores here at your own risk. Update: Did we say 18? We meant 81, but forgot to take a grab, so officially we'll have to make do with a top score of 34.

    Sharif Sakr
    08.10.2012
  • Hit the rapids with Google's latest Olympic doodle

    It's time to pound the arrow keys again for Mountain View's latest Olympic doodle game, a whitewater slalom canoe challenge. The idea is to speed through the course with the left/right keys in the best time while using up/down to avoid rocks and the riverbank. Our intrepid web paddlers managed a time of 18 seconds so far, and you can post your own time in the comments below -- if you dare.

    Steve Dent
    08.09.2012
  • Google keeps the interactive Olympic doodles going, tests your spacebar with a game of hoops

    If your keyboard survived yesterday's track & field test, the folks in Mountain View have posted another interactive doodle to satisfy your Olympic dreams. This time around, you can give arcarde-style basketball your best shot by tapping on your spacebar to get into a rhythm from the charity stripe. Once you hit that blue play button, you'll have 24 seconds to give the main search page your best Kevin Durant. A chance for Google+ bragging rights awaits your fingers via the source link below.

    Billy Steele
    08.08.2012
  • Google's Olympic doodles get interactive with button-mashing hurdles

    Google has already churned out quite a few of its trademark doodles for the Olympics, but it's upped its game considerably today for its depiction of the hurdles. Pressing that red play button on the search engine's front page will let you test your Track & Field skills (and your keyboard's sturdiness) in an interactive event -- one where you can, naturally, also share your results on Google+ when you're finished. Hit the source link below to give it a go yourself.

    Donald Melanson
    08.07.2012
  • Today's Google Doodle takes to the Track and Field

    We can totally push buttons faster than you, and today's Google Doodle proves that. It's basically a web-based take on NES favorite Track & Field, paying homage to the currently-in-progress 30th Olympiad in London, and we scored a gnarly 15.4 seconds. Can you run down a virtual track and leap hurdles faster than our convention-grizzled blogger hands? Go ahead and try us, punk! Spoilers: You probably can.

    Ben Gilbert
    08.07.2012
  • Must See HDTV (August 6th - 12th)

    This week continues to be all about the London 2012 Olympics, with most shows diving out of the way of NBC's ratings juggernaut. We do have a few premiers and several season finales though, so give the schedule a close look to make sure you don't miss a favorite's wrap-up. Also on deck is a healthy slate of preseason football, while we've got most of the national broadcasts listed, you'll want to keep an eye out for your local team. Also worth noting? A slew of flicks hitting Blu-ray this week including personal favorites Clue and Adventures in Babysitting. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Olympics For a second week in a row, it's all about the Olympics, in one way or another. Either you're watching and keeping up with early starting schedules from London or you're not watching, and your favorite summer shows are on hiatus. No matter which side you're on, things wrap up this weekend with the Closing Ceremony, although not soon enough for NBC to try to slipstream two sitcom premieres off of the Games' popularity with Go On and Animal Practice. (All Week, NBC & NBCOlympics.com) Shark Week Discovery's Shark Week kicks off its 25th year Sunday night with two specials,including Air Jaws Apocalypse and Impossible Shot. This time around the big hook is internet integration since it's hosted by "internet celebrity" Philip DeFranco, has tie-ins with Discovery's iPad app for second screen info, and encourages voting on the Facebook / Twitter page to determine what the robotic Sharkzilla will crush next. Whatever, as long as they bring the sharks, we'll always be there. (August 12th, Discovery, 9PM) Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell Produced by Chris Rock, this comedy series has been pushed as hard by FC as NBC is pushing its new premieres for the week, but with Chris Rock as a producer and the network's track record (Louie, Wilfred -- we'll forget Brand X and the Charlie Sheen show) we actually might check it out. Six episodes long, its run begins this week broadcasting Bell's commentary and sketch comedy -- check out a quick behind the scenes look embedded after the break.

    Richard Lawler
    08.06.2012
  • 116 years of Olympic medalists compared

    If you've paid any attention at all to the Olympics over your lifetime one thing may stand out to you -- every four years, records seem to crumble. We're getting faster and stronger, not because of evolution, but thanks to science. High speed video has us refining our form, nutritionists are finding the most efficient diet and coaches are timing training schedules for peak performance. Just how much of an impact has this had on athletic achievement? Well, the New York Times decided to plot every medalist from the last 116 years of Olympic games in the 100-meter sprint, the 100-meter freestyle and the long jump. Though records aren't actually shattered every year, there's a clear trend of improvement (with the exception of the long jump). In fact, this year's last place sprinter in the final round would have edged out 1896's gold medalist by more than half a second -- and he was battling a groin injury. Hit up the source links to see 116 years of medal winners compared, and the more coverage link to see how athletes are squeezing every last bit of performance from their bodies as we approach the limits of human capability.

  • Magicka says 'WOOT' with new Olympics-themed DLC pack

    Some new content for use in Magicka's Challenge and Versus mode is set to debut tomorrow, and takes a cue from the ongoing Olympic games taking place in London right now – well, kinda. The Olympics doesn't try to kill its competitors, after all.Magicka's WOOT Tournament DLC features four new PVP maps, three new challenge maps and a host of new items and magic spells for competing wizards. These items and spells include the Musketball Dunker – a gun that fires a volley of explosives – and the ever-important Wave maneuver, a mainstay at any sporting event.Tomorrow's content dump will be free to all Magicka players. In the meanwhile, we've got some screens courtesy of Paradox to help pass the time, available in our gallery below.%Gallery-161870%

    David Hinkle
    08.06.2012
  • Olympics games take gold and bronze for second week on UK charts

    The quality may be tin, but sales in the UK have been golden for London 2012: The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games. Olympic fever has been epidemic, as sales of the game were up 88 percent from the week prior. Mario & Sonic London 2012 Olympic Games also had a bump of 42 percent, placing it at bronze again, directly behind the Lego Dark Knight and friends.The only new game this week was Risen 2: Dark Waters, which debuted in spot 14, far better than its predecessor's number 29 premiere in 2009. Sail past the break for the UK top ten.

  • Inhabitat's Week in Green: 30-foot 'Buckyball', Olympic stadium Lego replica and the 'Mantabot'

    Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green. Building a robot that can stand and walk on two legs like a human is challenging enough -- but what about a robot that swims like a human? A team from Tokyo University of Technology has created the Swumanoid, a swimming robot that's based on the physique of a human swimmer and can swim a variety of strokes. But why should a swimming robot have to look like a person? Most fish swim much faster, more gracefully and more efficiently than humans. That's why scientists from the University of Virginia are developing the Mantabot, a robot that looks and swims like a ray.

    Andy Bowen
    08.05.2012
  • The best London transport app for the Olympics or anytime

    A few weeks ago I wrote an article highlighting the best London transportation apps for visitors coming to the London Olympics. In my article I divided the apps based on mode of transport: tube, bus, car, boat, and bicycle. Shortly after the article went live I was having dinner with some old friends from Apple who were visiting the city; they told me about an app they've recently found that helps them get around London: the aptly-named London Transport. After using it for a week, I can say that this is the best London transportation app I've ever used and anyone who lives here or is thinking of visiting London should download it immediately. London Transport is a joy to use, and it's especially intuitive for those of you who are used to looking at search results from Transport for London's official website. Matter of fact, the app is so good, I'm comfortable suggesting that it should become TFL's official app (as they currently don't have one). Launch London Transport and you'll be able plan a journey via virtually any mode of London transportation available: tube, bus, cycle hire, DLR, taxi and minicab, boat, tram, or road. You can bookmark your favorite locations, tube stops, or address for quick access when planning routes, and set a home location so you can simply tap the "Take me home" button to see the quickest options for getting you home. In addition to the navigation capabilities and real-time departure board updates, the app also shows you your Oyster Card balance and even the closest locations where you can top up your card. I could go on and on about the myriad features this app offers, but instead I'll just tell you to check out the gallery below and then go and download it and use it for yourself. London Transport is US$4.99 in the App Store. %Gallery-161742%

  • Dan Chung photographs the Olympics using an iPhone, Snapseed and some binoculars

    When you think of professional photographers shooting sporting events, you usually visualize huge Canon or Nikon lenses mounted on expensive camera bodies on top of massive tripods. But as The Guardian's photographer Dan Chung proves, sometimes you can do just as much with a lot less. Throughout the Olympics Chung is photographing the games using only an iPhone, an app, and (occasionally) an add-on iPhone lens or some binoculars. The stunning image of Michael Phelps shown here was captured by Chung using only the iPhone 4S with its 8 megapixel camera and the excellent iOS photo editor Snapseed (US$4.99 in the App Store). To get other images from the Games using his iPhone, Chung also sometimes chooses to shoot through the Schneider lens iPro Wide Duo Kit or with a pair of Canon binoculars in front of the phone's camera. Chung is obviously a photographer with a lot of talent, but it's still amazing that these photographs were captured through a smartphone. For those interested in photography (or the Olympics) click on over to The Guardian where they are running a photoblog of all Dan Chung's images throughout the Games. Special thanks to Dan Chung and The Guardian for permission to reprint the image above. [Image credit and © Dan Chung/The Guardian.]

  • You've heard of the Child Catcher? Meet the WiFi Snatcher

    Remember the Olympic ban on WiFi hotspots to ensure the games' corporate sponsors could sell you back access at a premium? The threat to seize or eject anyone caught using such gear seemed hollow -- after all, how could you be found in a crowd of 90,000? It turns out, LOCOG have employed WiFi police, chasing down unauthorized signals with their big red detectors. Although we should give them some credit -- you'll certainly see them coming from a mile away. [Image Credit: Sadao Turner, Twitter]

    Daniel Cooper
    08.02.2012
  • TUAW TV Live at 5 PM ET: Toys, Olympic apps, and speculation

    As we get into the dog days of summer, there's finally talk of an Apple event in mid-September. Well, that's about five or six weeks away, but it's enough to give me and my guest -- Doc Rock -- fodder for discussion this afternoon on TUAW TV Live. We'll also have the regular parade of new iPhone and iPad accessories, talk about apps for getting your latest Olympic news and results, and talk about anything else that happens to come to mind. As usual, I'll be starting the show at 5 PM EDT (2 PM PDT / 10 PM BST) sharp, and we'll take a few minutes to chat before the demos start. To join in on the chat and watch the live streaming video, drop by TUAW about five minutes before the start time to get your instructions on how to participate. If you're unable to join us for the show, remember that you can always subscribe to the video podcast and watch the show at your leisure in iTunes or any other favorite podcatching app. The past shows are also available on the TUAW YouTube channel. The chat is on IRC: join us on server chat1.ustream.tv, chat room #tuaw-tv.

    Steve Sande
    08.01.2012
  • Twitter responds to suspended reporter controversy, explains Trust & Safety policies

    Well, you might not have heard about it from us, but by now you're likely familiar with the tale of British journalist Guy Adams and the controversy surrounding his suspended Twitter account. The Independent correspondent posted a number critical missives regarding NBC's Olympic coverage, one including the corporate email address of an executive at the network. Shortly there after his page went down. Adams has since had his account reinstated, but Twitter felt it necessary to clear the air about the circumstances regarding the temporary blockage. When the company's Trust & Safety receives a complaint that personal information is being distributed, its policy is to temporarily suspend the offending account. NBC Olympics president Gary Zenkel filed such a complaint, and the social network now admits it was at the behest of members of its team working closely with NBC on its Olympic coverage. That, it acknowledges, was a mistake. Twitter says it does not actively monitor anyone's account and that the Trust & Safety team was unaware that Zenkel acted on the suggestion from the company's employees. Adams has since had his account reinstated and in a blog post Twitter has stated that it "should not and cannot be in the business of proactively monitoring and flagging content, no matter who the user is."

  • BBC shows off 33-megapixel Super Hi-Vision Olympic footage, we ask: why?

    The first live Super Hi-Vision broadcast for public consumption was of the Olympic opening ceremony in London last week. We didn't get to see that premiere, or the second or third screenings either -- but the fourth? Oh yes. We grabbed a seat right up front of a small theater inside BBC Broadcasting House, watched a live 33-megapixel feed from the Aquatics Center and absorbed some very fond memories in the process. At the same time, a question hung over the footage like a watermark: why bother? The world is barely getting to grips with the notion of 4K, which already solves pixelation at regular viewing distances, so why did the BBC and Japanese broadcaster NHK go to the expense of sending a dedicated SHV video truck, a SHV audio truck rigged for 22.2 channel sound, and the world's only three 8K Ultra HDTV cameras to London? Fortunately, we caught up with someone in charge who was able to respond to that question. Read on for what they said, plus a slightly fuller sense of what the footage was like to watch.

    Sharif Sakr
    07.31.2012