Photos: New tech scores at World Cup
World Cup ball
Each match will be played with a new Adidas "Teamgeist" ball with a 14-panel configuration that forms a perfectly smooth exterior. The new ball construction promises to give players increased accuracy and control. But goaltenders have complained that "Teamgeist" veers randomly giving the strikers an added edge.
On Amazon.com, the 2006 FIFA World Cup Teamgeist Match Ball carries a list price of $128.70. More on the balls later.
+F50 football boot
Adidas has personalized "boots" for each team. At left is the U.S. shoe. They retail on Amazon.com for $168.
RFID tickets
All World Cup tickets contain an RFID chip to hinder counterfeiting and scalping. The chip is embedded in the symbol on the left. Although there are many late ticket returns, former soccer superstar Franz Beckenbauer, president of host Germany's organizing committee, says he expects all 3 million-plus tickets will be sold, according to Reuters.
Stadium tech
Royal Philips has installed new lighting in eight of the World Cup stadiums which will make it possible for HDTV broadcasts of the matches--not to mention a better atmosphere for fans attending.
Heal Wayne Rooney
Take the case of England superstar Wayne Rooney. The 20-year-old gifted striker injured his foot in late April and appeared unlikely to appear in the World Cup, severely dimming England's chances. Special healing sites (left) immediately popped up on the Web, including one to massage his foot with the click of a mouse, prayer blogs and numerous postings giving support and advice. Rooney has been given medical clearance and may play in England's second match.
The Church of England even dedicated a special prayer for the team.
Mobile-TV
Mobile TV will make its presence felt for the first time at the World Cup. T-Mobile in Germany will broadcast 20 games live, and live matches will be available in Italy. Many in the rest of the world will be able to view goals soon after they are scored and see four minutes of highlights immediately after each match on their mobile devices. Expect every match to be available live on mobile TV for the next World cup in Beijing 2010.
Streaming
In the United States, matches will be available on your computer via ESPN360. In Canada, Rogers will stream a number of matches, while the BBC will broadcast all the games online in the U.K. only.
HDTV
On the left, a 100-inch diagonal LCD TV from LG.Philips. Right is a 102-inch model from Samsung.
Matches online
Here is a screen shot of the BBC's live coverage of the first match. The Yahoo/FIFA live Match Data site was experiencing technical difficulties for the first match.
Games
For the World Cup of Beer, it's Japan (Kirin) vs. Holland (Heineken) in a first-round match.
Satellite radio
XM Satellite Radio will provide 24-hour coverage for 31 days on one English- and one Spanish- speaking channel. The service has even hired Andres Cantor with his famous one-minute "goooaaalll" calls for 50 games on the Spanish channel.
beer flow
Innserve will use new technology to ensure that the beer keeps flowing on about 750,000 beer lines during the World Cup matches. Mobile technicians will use PDAs to monitor the flow of beer at more than 100,000 S&N and Newcastle pubs and clubs in the U.K.
Golden ball
Adidas shows off the "Golden Ball" which will only be used in the final match on July 9 in Berlin. The Teamgeist Berlin ball is similar to the ball used in the other matches except it is gold with black and white trim. The best player in the World Cup tournament wins the Golden Ball trophy.