Internet & Technology
Friday, February 1, 2002
Sunday's Super Bowl Won't Be Just A Game For Some Tech Firms
BY NANCY GONDO
FOR INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
What bigger event than the Super Bowl to showcase — or test — a new technology?
Last year, football fans were treated to a Viisage Inc. (VISG) biometrics system called Facefinder. It scanned their faces and matched them against a criminal and terrorist database.
Cutting-edge security gear likely will play an even bigger role this year. But it won't be the only kind of new technology tested at the Super Bowl.
Many companies look to make the big game more interactive, even for fans that can't get to New Orleans.
The National Football League is working with DirecTV Latin America to enhance its Feb. 3 broadcast for interactive TV subscribers in Mexico.
Fans stuck at home will be able to watch the game from different camera angles, such as from the quarterback, offensive line or defensive line's views.
View Highlights
During the game, fans can watch highlight reels and vote for the most valuable player.
They also can access team rosters, player details and photos on their TVs.
"Users will be able to tap into real-time game stats through an online feed that'll go from the stadium right to their TV sets," said Brian McCarthy, a spokesman for the NFL. "It's the first time ever we've tested this, and it could be a precursor of what's to come here in America."
Interactive TV isn't the only way the NFL is trying to enhance the big game for those at home. If you don't want to be glued to your TV all week, you can still feel like you're part of the action by getting online. Just go to superbowl.com, which is produced by NFL partner SportsLine.com Inc. (SPLN)
Memorabilia For Bid
There you can watch press conferences, player interviews, clips from past Super Bowls and expert analysis by former MVPs like Troy Aikman and Phil Simms.
If you're keen on picking up memorabilia, you can bid on some 50 items through eBay Inc.'s (EBAY) site.
There will also be a live auction in New Orleans for those items on Saturday at "Coca-Cola and America Online Present the NFL Experience."
Fans can try to outbid each other in person or place absentee bids through eBay for such goods as signed gear, used playoff items — and, yes, even the football that'll kick off the game on Sunday.
Superbowl.com also lets you interact with Marv Levy, the Pro Football Hall of Fame coach who led the Buffalo Bills to four Super Bowls in a row.
"If you're at home on game day, you can chat with him as the game is going on, and he'll also provide commentary online," McCarthy said.
MVP Voting
Superbowl.com will offer audio streams in French, German, Japanese, Spanish and other languages. Users can get play-by-play commentary and watch real-time stats, too.
During the fourth quarter, they can vote online for the player they think should get MVP.
TV-watching fans can use their Web-ready cell phones to share their opinions during the game. When Fox broadcasts questions on the TV screen, you can dial answers from your cell phone. Proteus Inc. worked with Motorola Inc. (MOT) to come up with the "Virtual Coach" wireless system.
Wonder how real-time stats are tracked and sent to your computer? This year's Super Bowl will be largely powered by Dell Computer Corp. (DELL), which was named official computer systems provider for the game.
There will be three server clusters. Each is comprised of two Dell PowerEdge 6450 servers, which run four processors, and one PowerVault 220 storage unit, says Dell spokeswoman Michelle Mosmeyer.
It may sound heavy-duty, but Dell and the NFL want to make sure the systems don't drop the ball.
E-Mail At Game Site
"They're what we call ultraredundant . . . to ensure all of the data is protected," Mosmeyer said.
"In case there is any kind of a hiccup, there's another unit there that can take it up and make sure everything runs smoothly," she said.
Dell personal computers, laptops and servers will track and send play-by-play data and stats to superbowl.com and nfl.com. They'll also keep records of calls made by the officials during the game.
In addition, the network is set up to manage the NFL's basic daily functions while its offices are moved from New York to New Orleans for the game.
"I have access to my normal e-mail," McCarthy said. "I can get into my Excel and my word documents. It's like I'm sitting in New York in my office. Thanks to Dell, we're able to communicate in real time." |
