The bosses at FIFA seem to have been trying to avoid helping referees with technology for a long time now, but it looks like the change is finally going to come soon. FIFA President Sepp Blatter was traditionally seen as one of the fiercest opponents of bringing more technology into football, but following some high profile mistakes at the 2010 World Cup he changed his stance on the matter and decided to get some trials done on the subject.

It has been reported that they are going to give more trials to possible goal line solutions, after some 10 early models failed to cut the mustard. There is an International Football Association Board annual meeting in Wales this weekend and the recent FIFA trials will be discussed in depth there.

It seems that the first trials, including the Cairos microchip ball from Adidas, were a failure, as they didn’t prove to be as accurate or fast enough to meet the criteria which has been set. The guidelines for any device are that it has to be completely accurate and also give a decision within a second. The Hawk-Eye system used in tennis wasn’t present in the trials but will be included in future ones.

The FIFA General Secretary, Jerome Valcke, has been quoted in the last few days as saying that the world governing body is still committed to getting the right device which will give a lasting solution to the age old problem of the ball bouncing on the line and back out. He also suggested that if a solution could be found then they could try it out in an English stadium first.

Now, what would have happened if Hawk Eye technology had replaced the Russian linesman back in 1966 and had spotted the Frank Lampard goal in 2010?

Source: T3.com

Fifa Exploring Hawk Eye for Goal Line Technology is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

As yet we can’t find any way of winning money but with 17 different ways to score or indeed lose points it’s pretty in depth and according to the game creators an average 90 minute match would have around 1,200 scoring events compared to 15 in more typical fantasy football games.

There’s a very good selection of games in which you can take part and once you’ve signed up you choose 3 players from a match rather than the usual 11. As the game progresses, scores are updated in real time and you can even make 3 live substitutions as the game progresses.

The game went through its final test phase during the World Cup and the team behind the game say that tests went better than they could have ever hoped for and this led to the release of the game just in time for the start of the Premiership campaign.

Lets face it, much as we love the game of football, some of the matches can be incredibly dull and make 90 minutes feel like a prison sentence. Putting money on the game can help to improve the situation a little but not everybody wants to gamble away their wages getting scores wrong. PickLive looks like it could prove to be a fun and entertaining way to supplement the enjoyment of any game and you can play against mates too.

Have you tried PickLive yet?

Have you got your fantasy 11 sorted?

Live Fantasy Football Game Launched For New Premier Season is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

October is the expected date when the technology will hit the headlines again, although chances are reasonable that Blatter and Fifa will once again decide that it’s too expensive or dress it up and claim that it is to do with the flow of the game. While there have been sensible suggestions of digging out a slope behind the goal line until something is done, the debate will continue – maybe Fifa should take a leaf out of the NFL’s books.

The NFL is considering adding some serious tech to its game. Cairos Technologies develops magnetic field chips and believes that placing a small microchip inside the ball would mean no errors when it comes to deciding whether the ball really has crossed the line (or whatever happens in NFL).

Similar technology is unlikely to be introduced by Fifa, after all imagine the cost of that and imagine what Ronaldo would be able to do with his free kicks then. However, the fact that the NFL is even willing to consider such a move in order to cut down on possible errors and costly mistakes should be seen as a positive note and one that Fifa could well benefit from following.

Will Fifa introduce goal line technology?

Will the NFL use microchips in their balls?

NFL Shows Fifa How To Do It, Trials Microchip Ball Technology is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

The international cash-in on the 2010 World Cup has well and truly begun and this year there are even more mediums to harness. The traditional TV ads with footballing celebrities are already burned into our retinas, but the 2010 World Cup is the first to see the true dawn of the smartphone and along with it the app marketplace. The iPhone was only a twinkle in Steve Jobs’ eye back in 2006, but if you are a smartphone owner in time for this year’s World Cup in South Africa then there are plenty of apps to download and enjoy. The following are just a few of the best.

Sky Sports
One of the best free apps that will get you your World Cup fix is this simple service from Sky Sports. It will provide you with up to date information on the latest stories that are emerging from the world class training camps, so you will be able to stay on top of the gossip and make sure that no more of England’s core squad is forced to duck out early. This app is available on both the iPhone and the Google Android platform.

iSouth Africa 2010
This iPhone app lets you keep on top of the full match schedule and you can keep an eye on your team of choice as it attempts to make its mark on footballing history. As well as simple tracking, you can find out detailed information about the various stadiums which will be hosting the games, as well as the South African cities in which the tournament is taking place. Information about players and international teams is also included in this comprehensive app.

World Cup Essentials
The World Cup Essentials app is the tournament’s bible and is available on Android-based smartphones. Every detail you could possibly require about a team is here, right down to the national mascots. The production values for this app are high, which marks it out from a crowd of ostensibly similar options and it is certainly a worthy choice for Android users.

ESPN 2010 FIFA World Cup
Sports broadcaster ESPN has put together an impressive iPhone app to help fans follow the World Cup. You can view information about the teams, get bite size facts and figures to impress your mates and organise the information in a variety of ways to suit the system that feels the most intuitive to you. Because this app is licensed by FIFA, it has exclusive access to the international rankings and you can even see how the power shifts as the tournament progresses.

FIFA World Cup 2010
Not all apps based on the World Cup are filled with information, as this one is a full 3D game for the iPhone. You will have to pay nearly £5 to get a taste of the action, but it is a price worth paying if you want to play out your fantasy match-ups, or even work through potential scenarios before they happen for real.

Nike Football+
If you are interested in the tactics of the beautiful game as it is played on an international level, this app will help you to learn more about how top coaches and managers train their star players and build their home-grown talent. Nike even commissioned the help of Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola to come up with the exercises in the iPhone app and since it is free to download everyone can get involved.

Co Pilot Live South Africa
Anyone intending to make the journey out to South Africa this summer might thing that the £30 navigation app covering the country is a worthy investment. It might work out cheaper to actually rent a car and drive to the matches rather than hop on public transport or deal with the heftily inflated taxi prices and this full turn-by-turn navigation app will keep Windows Mobile, iPhone and Android users on the right track.

Live Scores
This trimmed down app is designed to cut through all of the extraneous information and get to the core of each game, namely the latest scores. You will not even have to remember to open the app up as it can be set to provide automatic notifications every time something exciting takes place on the pitch and it is a no-nonsense iPhone app for those who need speed and convenience.

Goal Mobile
BlackBerry users who want to keep in tune with the World Cup this year will need this app on their mobiles. Although the World Cup news, results and insider information will be the focus of the app over the next few weeks, it is not just a flash in the pan service, as it will continue to provide football fans with details once the tournament has ended and the league games starts up once more.

FIFA News
It would be callous to miss out the official FIFA app from this list and on the iPhone it is well priced at 59 pence. It delivers multimedia content, including photos and videos and as with Goal Mobile it will continue its international coverage of football once the World Cup has been lifted in South Africa.

World Cup Apps is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

We have essential gadgets for in the house, garden or even on the move. 

Samsung UE46C7000
The first wave of 3D ready HDTVs are set to emerge in time for the world cup and although the actual matches will not be broadcast in 3D, it makes sense to futureproof your home cinema system, provided you have deep enough pockets. This TV is not only 3D ready, but also LED backlit which means it is super slim and it also has an integrated digital tuner that is compatible with Freeview HD, which means in certain areas you will be able to see the World Cup in HD without the need for a subscription or a satellite dish.

Steiner Safari Binoculars 10×26
If you are making your way to South Africa for the tournament and you are worried about getting a good seat in the baking sun, these binoculars from Steiner will get you even closer to the action, as they will not only filter the UV rays and heat haze, but will also stand up to adverse conditions, drops and scrapes.

iPhone 3GS
The iPhone benefits from its built-in GPS which means you will be able to find your way around even if you are out in South Africa. For people staying in the UK there will also be apps to keep you up to date with the latest scores and an ITV app that will be streaming the games live.

Weber Summit S-650
For the ultimate World Cup meal you need the ultimate Barbecue and this monster is packed with the potential to cook more meat that you could ever reasonably consume. It is gas powered and has up to six burners available. You can even stick on the rotisserie function and get some revolving meat on the go. If you are looking for a top of the line BBQ to accompany the World Cup then this is where the party starts.

Sony BDV-1T1000
The only way to recreate the atmosphere of actually being in the stadium is to get this speaker system set up and turn the volume to 11. This kit provides surround sound and it has a subwoofer for unparalleled base, which will give chants a new ring of realism. If you are not an audio expert you will not have to spend ages fiddling around with settings as this gadget is easy for anyone to use and the sound quality is just what you would expect from a Sony device.

Samsung NB30
The dinky NB30 is one of the best portable netbooks that Samsung has to offer. It uses a swift Intel Atom processor and it has Windows 7 preinstalled to make web browsing and word processing painless. If you are going to be making a note of your World Cup exploits to be passed down through the generations, or if you just want to update your Twitter feed with what has been going on, the NB30′s 10.1 inch screen will act as the window to your tournament.

Sanyo VPC-WH1
Gadgets that are suited for travelling are not hard to come by, but something with the quality of this device is rare. If you can handle the garish yellow casing and the exposed screw heads, it has a certain rugged charm to it. In fact all of its looks are necessary to make sure that it can take the knocks and scraps of many busy days at the stadium or on the road. It can shoot high definition video and it is also able to remain water tight to a depth of three metres.

Calpe Sense Wi6223
Sometimes sticking your wine in the fridge just is not enough. This wine cooler is dedicated to housing your finest vintage bottles, with enough room for all of the bubbly you can imbibe. You can alter the temperature between three and 18 degrees and there is an LED read out on the front to let you know how cool your bottles have become. This luxurious gadget even has glass doors which protect precious wines from damage by ultraviolet sunlight.

Grundig Emanate Speaker System
It may look similar to a bulky paint tin, but this outdoor portable speaker system is ready to rock and roll for eight hours in a row from a single charge. It has a dock on top for your media player of choice and it can keep you entertained whether you are in the back garden, on the beach or relaxing between matches.

Sky+HD3D
Sky has recently launched a new edition of its Sky+HD set top box that has a 1TB hard drive inside, which is more than enough space to record the World Cup games in high definition to enjoy later. It is also ready for 3D TV when it arrives, so if you have splashed out on a 3D ready TV this could be the perfect partner.

Essential World Cup Gadgets is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

Fashion designer Wayne Hemingway, actor Phil Daniels and artist Gerald Scarfe have all contributed a unique design to adorn the top of the Sky+HD boxes and the first customers will be able to pick up the colourful devices from May 26th.

Observers have pointed out that Sky is not going to be broadcasting any of the World Cup matches on its sports channels, as terrestrial broadcasters have the rights to the tournament. However, it does have both BBC HD and ITV HD integrated into its schedules, so every game will be available in high definition.

The Sky+HD boxes that have had the World Cup makeover are the brand new 1TB models, which give users hundreds of gigabytes more space than the older versions of the device.

The simple red of Mr Hemingway’s design, which subtly includes the score line and date of England’s last World Cup win, is probably the most appealing of the three. However, the cheery cartoonish look of Mr Scarfe’s might also appeal to some.

When the special edition Sky+HD boxes launch, they will retail for about £250, so anyone looking to upgrade their storage space in time for the World Cup will be able to splash out. Hopefully the designs will act as a reminder of a successful tournament, as a poor performance could give them a lasting, bitter aftertaste.

Commemorative World Cup Sky+HD boxes launched is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

Sky has ordered 15,000 3D TVs with the intention of giving them to pubs, clubs and bars in order to get the 3D revolution going with live sporting events popping out of the screen at punters.

Sky 3D will be available for public display from April 2010 and it is the 47 inch versions of LG’s LD920 televisions that are under order at the moment. Over the next few weeks these could therefore be winging their way to one of your local drinking establishments.

The first 3D broadcast took place in February and the journalists and fans present were in two minds as to how well the technology worked in real life. However, Sky has obviously been given confidence by this test run and 3D TV is being geared up for a full launch next month.

LG will not be selling its first batch of 3D TVs to UK consumers until May, but with Sky supporting its technology it will soon become the brand most closely associated with 3D sport by football fans everywhere.

Anyone looking to get 3D television in their own homes could have to wait until 2011 if some pessimistic observers are to be believed, although Sky thinks that it can push through its first few 3D channels by the autumn. Anyone interested in 3D TV may want to start saving up now.

3D TVs destined for pubs is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

The most accurate and most probable method of implementing goal line technology involves three main components: 1. A ball,  2. a signalling unit for the referee and 3. a goal equipped to sense when the ball crosses the line. Here is how each part would work:

1. The ball

Obviously the ball would have to be modified and Adidas have already come up with the answer. They have inserted multiple micro chips and sensors into a ball that can accurately identify where it is on the pitch when used with magnetic sensors strategically placed on the by line or goal line. They say that this will not affect the weight of the ball or how it moves through the air, it would be as if the footballers were using a standard football.

2. Referee signal

Obviously this sort of technology would be pretty useless if the referee had no way of using it, duh! Radio and audio links to the referee have been ruled out in the past so the unit would probably have to be sensory. Suggestions have included a wrist band with either a visual, audio or even vibrating alert when the ball has crossed the goal line.

3. The goal

This is the most important part of the whole scenario, it has to be accurateand foolproof. Thankfully the gadgets needed are very simple, the goal would need to be wired all the way around the frame. This would provide a magnetic field that would work with sensors when the ball crosses the line. The information would be sent to a central computer which would then be relayed to the referee. It is said that this type of system would be resistant to any weather conditions and wireless interference.

It has been rumoured that this type of technology will be trialed in the near future but whose to know? It is possible but does open a whole can of worms.

Instances where goal line technolgy could have been used:

How Might Goal Line Technology Work is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

Each controller requires a 9v battery and the little boots need 2 AAA batteries. The only other thing you need is somebody to play against and a clear area of desk. Of course, if your desk is against the wall then you can even play wallie too. Alternatively, get all of your work mates together and start a work tournament (although, obviously only during lunch and other allotted free time in the working day – after all, you need to save actual working hours for YouTube and pointless Googling right?)

Next season’s still some way off, so you’ve got to get your football fill from somewhere once Euro 08 is finished with. So, fill yer boots with these miniature radio controlled boots.

Fill Yer Boots With These RC Boots is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos