The 2016 NFL season is less than three weeks away. Microsoft recently announced they will provide the league with improved Surface Pro 4’s, as well as giving fans the chance to buy NFL team Type Covers.
Microsoft and the NFL inked a five-year partnership in 2013, which included making the Microsoft Surface “The Official Tablet and PC Operating System of the NFL.” Although the partnership has been highlighted by much publicized criticism from coaches and players, in some of the biggest games, the two household names continue to build on their deal.
Type with team pride. @NFL Type Covers available now. https://t.co/b0X40fCfhH pic.twitter.com/oBYStTPq6K
— Surface (@surface) August 17, 2016
The 2016 season will feature an enhanced Surface Pro 4 to help tackle the rigors of an NFL sideline. One of the key upgrades is improved daylight readability. They will also have a longer battery life and a tougher, yet more slim case. Their new “whiteboard” feature will help coaches and players draw up plays better than before.
Teams will once again not be allowed to use video on the sidelines during regular season and playoff games. The NFL owners met this past spring and determined the use of video needs to be study further before it can be used on the sidelines. The use of Surface Pro video technology is being tested during the preseason once again, and the owners will discuses its place in the game at their next quarterly meeting.
Get The Latest NFL Tech News In Your Inbox!
The NFL is the most popular professional sport in the United States. As fans begin to draft their fantasy teams and tailgate preseason games, Microsoft introduced their NFL team Type Covers. Specialized Type Covers for both the Surface Pro 3 and 4 are currently available for all 32 teams. These same covers, featuring an official team logo, are used by players and coaches away from the field.
The team Type Covers are currently being sold for $159.99. But people who buy a new Surface Pro 4 can buy one for $129.99.
That @Microsoft @surface in action on the @RamsNFL sideline in #Madden17 pic.twitter.com/CsN3YI1y6m
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) July 16, 2016
Additionally, Madden 2017 will be officially released on August 23rd and just like in the real games, video game players will see their teams using the Surface Pro on the sidelines.