GoPro makes a seemingly inevitable deal with Red Bull
Red Bull’s extreme sports adventures are practically tailor-made for GoPro’s action cameras, so it would only make sense if the two got together, right? Sure enough, that’s what happening. GoPro has announced an exclusive deal with Red Bull that will have the two partnering on distributing and selling content. They’ll share rights on co-produced content and share it across both of their online and TV channels. Also, each company gets a distinct perk: GoPro becomes Red Bull’s sole action camera provider, while Red Bull gets equity in GoPro.
.@RedBull + @GoPro are bringing a new POV! @PaulRabil knows what’s up! Where should we put a #GoPro next? #RedBullhttps://t.co/NrEaGkk1To
— GoPro (@GoPro) May 24, 2016
You probably won’t see too much in the way of immediate impact, but it could help GoPro in the long run. The company isn’t in the best of shape; giving Red Bull a financial stake could both help its bottom line and give it a partner with a vested interest in helping it succeed. That’s particularly important when GoPro has delayed its first drone and can only rely on its action cam business until the fall. For Red Bull, this is more of a nice-to-have agreement — it increases the energy drink maker’s already wide reach.
Via: Reuters
Source: GoPro
Facebook Live will broadcast a Spanish soccer game
Facebook’s ability to broadcast live video makes it great for breaking news, but perhaps its eventual aim is to become an entertainment destination in its own right. The Spanish football league has announced that it’ll use the service to broadcast a European football soccer game for the first time. The game will be streamed by Grabyo, an online video company backed by luminaries of the game Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas. If you want to watch the title tussle between Atletico Madrid Feminas vs. Athletic Club in the Women’s league, then head to the Facebook on Saturday at 11:45 CET.
This game is, naturally, both the league and Facebook dipping a toe into the water, but it could have big implications for the future. Most of the high-end sporting world is locked behind lucrative pay TV deals but Facebook’s richer than most blue-chip broadcasters. As social sharing dries up, the site needs a new way to keep people’s attention focused on the site, and offering sporting fixtures could be the solution. It’s not the first time a soccer game has been streamed using the service, but it’s the first to have blessing from its parent league.
Its main rival, Twitter, is also adding some premium sports broadcasting to its arsenal, albeit in a much bigger way. The site secured the rights to stream 10 Thursday Night Football games from the NFL that are broadcast on NBC and CBS. While it’s not an exclusive deal, it demonstrates the power of tech companies in beating back the behemoths of broadcast TV. Although it’ll take more than a few years before we see the back of pay per view contests in favor of just clicking “like” on something.
Source: La Liga
Jaybird’s Freedom wireless earbuds balance sound and battery life
True to its word, Jaybird’s latest wireless sport earbuds are making their debut in the first half of 2016. The company’s $200 Freedom in-ears are now available and I’ve been putting them through their paces for the past few days. This new model follows Jaybird’s popular X2, adding customized sound through a companion app and an accessory that could end your battery woes. It’s that mix of sound and features that makes the Freedom a worthy competitor when it comes to fitness-focused in-ear headphones.
Let’s chat about the size of the Jaybird Freedom first. The buds themselves are 20-percent smaller than previous models, which leads to a better overall fit for more people. Don’t think the smaller speakers means smaller sound though, as the audio quality didn’t take a hit (more on that in a bit). There’s also an assortment of rubber and foam tips in the box so you can use the material that works best for your ears. Those fin-like hooks are here as well, only this time they’re removable for the times when a more traditional fit will do just fine. And yes, those are sweat-proof earbuds.
There are two key features that make the Freedom in-ears worth considering. The first is a charging clip that snaps on the in-line controls to double battery life. Without it, you can expect around four hours worth of power, but adding it doubles that time. In a hurry? Attaching the clip for 20 minutes will give you enough juice to make it through an hour-long workout or run. What’s more, that add-on doesn’t weigh down the earbuds with a lot extra heft either. You’ll notice it, but the added weight doesn’t become a burden.
The second useful feature is the MySound companion app. With that software, you can choose from a number of pre-selected EQ settings or build your own. I started with the preset from Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando as a basis for creating my settings for the earbuds. Rimando is one of many Jaybird personalities who made their EQ preferences available for the app, but there’s also a smattering of genre-specific templates. More useful that just being able to tweak the sound, those changes sync to the Freedom headphones so that no matter what device you’re using them with, the sound you like it always available.
Jaybird’s Freedom wireless earbuds sound good out of the box, but after a couple of minutes futzing with the EQ, I had them tuned to match even the best in-ears I’d tried. I’m a big fan of Sennheiser’s Momentum wired buds, but the sound I was able to achieve through the customizable settings easily rivals those. There’s plenty of bass without becoming overpowering, with a well-rounded overall sounds across bluegrass, hip-hop, metal, rock and electronic artists. My only real complaint is that I wish they were a tad bit louder. When I’m working out, I like my music cranked up, but I’m willing to admit it’s a personal preference.
By now you’ve likely noticed that those in-line controls are closer to one side rather than sitting in the middle. My initial concern was that all of the wireless components that had been crammed in that housing would pull that earbud out during any physical activity. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that’s not the case. While it’s true that all of the tech is situated inside that remote, Jaybird managed to do so without adding noticeable weight. I didn’t once feel like those controls were pulling the headphone out of my ear on that side.
There’s some small touches that make using the Jaybird Freedom an enjoyable experience. For example, when you first turn them on and pair them with a device, there’s a voice cue to let you know the in-ears are paired. It also lets you know how much battery life you have left. For me, this was particularly useful because it told me whether or not I needed to put that charging clip in my pocket when I got out of my car at the gym. Of course, with the ability to plug in that accessory separate from the earbuds, there’s a chance you might never completely run out of battery.
As I’ve already mentioned, the Jaybird Freedom is on sale today for $200 and comes in four colors: white/gold, black/silver, red and blue. If a mix of customizable sound and battery life is what you’re after when it comes to wireless sport earbuds, you’ll want to give these a look. And when the time comes open your wallet, you can do so at the company’s website or Best Buy for now. More retailers will offer these in-ear headphones in the months to come.
WatchESPN brings live and on-demand sports to Android TV
ESPN’s streaming app is already available on a number of streaming gadgets and mobile devices, and now you can watch it on Android TV. WatchESPN’s live and on-demand content is now available on Sony 4K HDR Ultra HD TVs, Sharp Aquos Android TV, Nexus Player, Nvidia Shield and Razer Forge TV. The company says that the app will makes its way to Philips and RCA devices “at a later date.” If you’ll recall, WatchESPN was already available on Google’s Chromecast streaming dongle.
Of course, you’ll need a cable subscription in order to stream the library of sports content, so you may need to temper your expectations. Despite rumors of a standalone NBA streaming service, Disney’s CEO Bob Iger said the company wouldn’t rush the offering early last year. Disney/ABC Television Group says that this ESPN app is the first of its Android TV offerings and that others are “coming soon.”
Source: ESPN
NBA wants to help fans create basketball videos for YouTube
Some sports leagues clamp down on the use of game footage on YouTube and social channels while others embrace it. The NBA falls into that latter category and with the help of BroadbandTV, the league wants to give fans what they need to keep the videos coming. NBA Playmakers is the official title of the new initiative, a community for folks who are making basketball-themed content that ranges from shoes to trick shots and more. As part of the project, video makers will get access to the league’s video footage, starting with this season’s playoffs which are currently in progress.
The first videos for the new initiative will be a series that builds on the “Every Second Counts” playoff campaign. The official TV spot, which features music from Timbaland, already aired. However, as the games move towards the NBA Finals, the fan-produced versions will debut across the league’s social channels. There will also be a dedicated YouTube channel for selected videos made through the Playmakers project that’s set to go live later this year.
The NBA has already been working with BroadbandTV for quite some time and this new effort is looking to connect with younger fans. While anyone is welcome to participate, those who can produce top-notch videos that connect with millennials will be promoted most. In addition to the internet fame and fortune, other benefits include access to select footage, games/events, production facilities and new merchandise.
“NBA Playmakers brings all of the constituents together to deliver a powerful ecosystem that millennials care about,” BBTV’s founder and CEO Shahrzad Rafati explained in a press release. “We’re empowering creators to build the future of sports entertainment by partnering with one of the most renowned sports leagues in the world, and arming them with the content, tools and solutions they need to be successful.”
Source: NBA Playmakers
ESL gives eSports an official oversight body
While eSports is now a big money-maker, it’s still wildly inconsistent at times: rules, prizes and schedules can vary from league to league. The Electronic Sports League thinks the industry can do better, though. It’s forming the World Esports Association (WESA), a governing body that will set standards for the fledgling sports field. WESA promises to bring “structure, predictable schedules and transparency” to competitive gaming, including how teams receive promotion and split revenue. Importantly, it’s not just the higher-ups calling the shots — there will be a player council, and teams will appoint two of WESA’s five executive board members.
Eight eSports teams are helping to found the association, and the ESL Pro League for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive will be the first to abide by WESA rules.
Whether or not WESA gets a foothold depends on other league systems falling in line. Will Activision’s Major League Gaming go for it, for example? Still, this is a big move that could be necessary for both giving eSports public recognition and making it a viable career path. Media outlets may be more likely to broadcast eSports if they know that it’s above-board, and players might be quicker to sign up if they know they’ll get enough prize money to supplement or even replace a more conventional job.
Via: Gamasutra
Source: ESL, WESA
NBA 2K celebrates Steph Curry’s MVP with a 99 rating
Today Stephen Curry collected NBA’s Most Valuable Player award for the second year in a row, and also became the first unanimous MVP in NBA history. To celebrate that achievement (and his epic return from a knee injury to score 40 points in a playoff win last night) NBA 2K will issue an update to its game on Thursday maxing out his overall rating at 99. It’s part of a promotion along with his shoe sponsor Under Armour and naturally the MVP colorway of his Curry Two will be available in-game. The 99 rating will be in place for 30 hours at 6PM ET (matching Curry’s jersey number) and for a little bit, should make it easier for the videogame to replicate the real-life player’s abilities.
Congrats @StephenCurry30 on back to back MVPs. @UABasketball & @NBA2K #BreakTheGame w/ 99 rating for 30 hrs starting THU 3PM PT to celebrate
— NBA 2K 2K17 (@NBA2K) May 10, 2016
Watch live video from 2K on http://www.twitch.tv
Source: Under Armour
This weekend’s Kentucky Derby will be broadcast in VR
Television networks have already broadcast boxing, basketball and other sports live in VR. Heck, we’ve even stepped inside a soccer game. Virtual reality is becoming a regular part of live sports coverage, and that includes horse racing. NextVR and NBC are teaming up to stream his weekend’s Kentucky Derby in VR for the first time. In fact, the duo says that this will be the first virtual reality broadcast for the sport of horse racing as a whole.
Saturday’s festivities will be NBC’s first live VR sports broadcast. However, NextVR has several live events under its belt, including working with Fox Sports on the aforementioned boxing and basketball streams. To provide the immersive visuals, five virtual reality cameras will be situated trackside for an uninterrupted view of the entire race and a glimpse of the owners’ suites. There will be an two additional cameras in the paddock area to show the horses as they prepare to head to the starting gate.
If you’re hoping to watch, you’ll need a Gear VR headset to do so. Just fire it up and flip to the NBC channel inside the NextVR app. And yes, you’re still required to wear a fancy hat.
Source: NextVR (PR Newswire)
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