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Apple Customers Get Best View of Masters Golf Online

April 7, 2011 by

If you are a golf fan with an iPhone or iPad, you already have a two-shot lead even before this year’s Masters Tournament kicks off on April 7. That’s because the tourney is tilted in favor of Apple devices for non-TV viewing, especially for iPad owners who will have access to a wide array of features including nine live channels via a $1.99 app, as well as “the only digital live simulcast” of CBS’s weekend coverage.

While Android device owners won’t completely miss the cut, the free official Masters Android app for non-Apple devices will only provide live scoring and radio coverage, with video available only as highlights. (A version downloaded Wednesday night to a Samsung Epic 4G from Sprint also seemed to have issues with it not being able to increase text size.)

Golf fans with iPhones, however, will have access to five live video channels on their free app, an edge that could allow iPhone users to multitask (say, at your kid’s soccer game) on Sunday and not miss any live coverage of a potentially exciting finish.

Though many fans will no doubt be glued to the TV set (since the Masters has only a couple commercials each hour it remains one of the most pure sport-watching experiences) there will likely be many more viewers watching via their PCs, thanks to the beefed-up feature set found at the Masters.com site. One of the first big events to truly embrace the Internet, the Masters in 2011 will add the following online features, according to the tournament press release:

· Eight live video channels, all available in HD-quality

· DVR functionality that allows users to rewind to key moments during live action

· Exclusive live scoring with integrated leader board highlights

· The Internet’s only live, 3D video stream for users with 3D-capable computers

If you are watching via the iPad, you probably want to make sure you are doing so via a Wi-Fi connection, since extended video viewing via a 3G link could potentially burn through your monthly data download limit. But we are guessing there will be many golfing fans with both TVs and tablets ablaze during the tournament, as the multi-screen experience allows for Masters saturation far away from the hallowed fairways of Augusta.

Filed Under: Android, Golf, iPad, iPhone, The Masters, Top News Tagged With: , , , , , ,

MLB’s ‘At Bat 11’ Provides Baseball for the Mobile Fan

April 5, 2011 by

(By Gregger)

Just in time for baseball’s Opening Day, Major League Baseball has released an updated version of its At Bat 11 app which is available at its MLB.Com site. The program will come in several versions, each tailored to different platforms and offering similar, but not entirely the same features. Platforms supported include Apple’s iPads, the iPod touch and iPhone, as well as Blackberry and Android devices.

The $14.95 app is not a gaming program but is designed to bring a wide range of facets from current games and the season to fans who need to access the games using a their mobile devices. For all platforms it allows favorite team designation, the selection of in-progress game video highlights and the option of home or away broadcast teams.

A free trial period for live streaming of all out of market games via MLB.TV is available, sponsored by Volvo, for the opening month of the season but only for users of Apple devices running its iOS. You can watch streaming video of out of area games on Android devices running at least OS version 2.2 (with Flash support and at least an ARMv7 processor) but you do not get the free one-month trial.

It should be noted that if you are planning to subscribe to MLB.TV, it is for out of area games only and you should check to ensure that you are out of area, because some teams claim an interesting cross-segment of the country as their own, and in some cases more than one team claims an area so you might not be able to see the games that you wish. For instance one segment of Nevada is claimed by Arizona, San Francisco, San Diego and Oakland.

The level of sophistication on what is supported varies by device with Apple coming out on top and the Blackberry coming in last. For Blackberry users running at least OS 5.0 the app offers condensed games, notifications on game time starts and news features on all teams.

For the Android platform a minimum of OS version 2.1 is required and its additional features include a widget for an in-progress scoreboard, a pitch by pitch tracker, a customized home screen, expanded highlights and a video library archive that is searchable by player, team or keyword and the ability to access MLB.TV.

The iPhone and iPod touch are much the same as the Android platform but also include live look-ins at key plays for any game in progress, in area or out, and the ability to watch any archived game from 2011 on demand. The iPad also has an enhanced Gameday feature.

While baseball’s first attempts to control online media were a bit halting such as its consolidation of all teams web sites under a uniform banner in a dull and sometimes confusing site, it seems that it really now understands that fans are seeking multiple options to follow their teams and it has made a great effort to support them with its At Bat 11 and other programs.

Filed Under: Baseball, iPad, Top News Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Apple Makes a Second Splash with iPad 2

March 27, 2011 by

(by Gregger)

Apple Computer brought out its eagerly awaited iPad 2 and has followed its recent past by increasing the functionality of a second generation device while at the same time slimming down the profile of the platform. Without going too far out on a limb, it’s a safe bet that the new version of the most-popular tablet computer will be a favorite among sports fans who want a decent-size screen for mobile sports viewing.

While the release of the original iPad garnered a good deal of derision from people, making fun of its name and questioning whether it met the needs of any class of users aside from devoted fans of Apple Computer, its soaring sales have proven detractors wrong. Apple claims that 65,000 apps have been written for the platform and while the company has not announced sales figures for its first generation device estimates put it around 14 million. Estimates for future sales keep increasing on almost a daily basis and are now in the hundreds of millions within the next few years.

Now the second generation is available and Apple is following the same game plan it has used with both its notebook computers and its iPhone, slimmer, faster and lighter. Of course it does not stop there with a number of enhancements as well.

The iPad2 is expected to be twice as fast as its predecessor with a dual-core A-5 processor, compared to the earlier versions’ A4 processor. On top of this is enhanced graphics performance that the company said was 9x faster than its previous ability in some applications, but the screen resolution will remain at 1024 x 768 with a 9.7-inch screen. It will maintain its 10 hour battery life.

It includes dual cameras, one front-facing and one facing the rear. The iPad 2 will be lighter at 1.3lbs compared to 1.5lbs and thinner, at 8.8mm compared to 13.4mm, a 33 percent reduction and includes tapered edges and a flat back. One additional option is the Smart Cover. The cover is designed to attach to the iPad 2 via magnets and can be folded down to cover the screen. It is available in an array of colors and will wake the iPad 2 when you open it, and put the iPad 2 to sleep when you close it. The cover will be priced at $39 for the polyurethane version and $69 for the leather version. There is a $39 adapter that connects an iPad 2 (or iPad or iPhone 4) to an HDTV and duplicates what is on the device screen on the TV screen.

The iPad 2 will be available in black and a new optional white version. Shipping now (while available) it is priced at $499 with a trio of storage capacities available, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, with each storage option $100 more expensive that the previous model. The first generation offerings will be available, while supplies last, at a $100 discount.
The iPad 2 does not require a cellular connectivity contract and can be purchased in a Wi-Fi only version, and a choice of Verizon or AT&T for cellular, with rates varying by the amount of data you expect to use.

Filed Under: iPad, Tablets Tagged With: , , ,
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