The new Sacramento Kings app will feature innovative location technology thanks to a Seattle startup. The NBA team announced Wednesday that its new iOS and Android apps will use software from Cartogram to help guide fans from their car to their seat, while also providing real-time information about restroom and concession stand lines. The Kings, which will open its new super high-tech Golden 1 Center this fall, will show fans turn-by-turn directions to get from their parking spot, through the public plaza, and to their seat. The indoor mapping technology from Cartogram will also guide people to specific concession stands and food… Read More
A dual-purpose technology device is helping fans at the U.S. Open stream live matches while keeping their devices charged as they watch tennis in New York City for the next two weeks. The “FanVision Bolt” devices, which you can see to the right, double as a battery charger and internet hotspot of sorts that let fans stream live matches to their smartphone. Along with providing a charge, the device also acts as a receiver that uses a private network to ingest live streams of select matches going on at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Fans access the stream via the U.S. Open mobile app —… Read More
Another day, another reminder that companies don’t really have to abide by promises to not share your personal information. They have a big “but” in their contracts. Last week, it was WhatsApp and Facebook. We’ll get to that in a moment. This week, millions of Sports Authority customers began receiving notices that their e-mail addresses and other data were about to be transferred to competitor Dick’s Sporting Goods. The transfer is legal because Sports Authority declared bankruptcy and sold off its spare parts this summer. Dick’s, smartly and legally, bought the customer information. According to the L.A. Times, a treasure trove of 25… Read More
There appeared to be a slight technology malfunction at the U.S. Open on Monday evening. During a first round U.S. Open tennis match between No. 1-seed Novak Djokovic and Jerzy Janowicz, net sensors seemed to mistakenly call a “let” during the second set. The two tennis pros were locked at 2-2 in the second set when Janowicz appeared to slam a serve past Djokovic. But the chair umpire called a “let” violation on the shot, which surprised both Janowicz, who gave the judge a long stare-down, and the ESPN commentators. “That’s a terrible call,” said Brad Gilbert. ESPN analyst John McEnroe… Read More
Uber is not only getting people to and from football games in Miami, but the ride-hailing company also wants to help fans tailgate, too. Uber today announced a new partnership with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. As the company has done in the past, Uber will set up a dedicated pickup/dropoff zone for riders at the nearly-renovated Hard Rock Stadium starting with this Thursday’s preseason game against Tennessee. The zone, which is only for Uber vehicles, will be active for University of Miami Hurricanes games, too. But the more intriguing aspect of the partnership is UberTailgate, a new service that lets people “tailgate without the hassle” and will… Read More
