sports

NHL star retweets message wishing commissioner dead

I know that hockey is important to some misguided souls.

I can't entirely fathom why, but I'm prepared to respect those who feel the need for a little institutionalized violence in their lives.

The thing is, the National Hockey League also enjoys institutionalized lockouts that seem to make whole seasons disappear.

There's one occurring right now. Progress seems to be running slightly behind the pace of DSL.

Perhaps one shouldn't be surprised, then, that the Chicago Blackhawks' Dave Bolland appears to support the, um, death of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

The what?

The way that ESPN slapshoots it, … Read more

Dash about the field, pass with precision, and lead your team to victory in FIFA 11

FIFA 11 is another installment in the ever-popular FIFA simulation. The app is available from several locations, including iTunes, and installs easily. FIFA 11 has high resolution graphics, which means there's a large file to download, but that's the only drawback.

FIFA 11 lets you control the action with movements of your iPhone or iPad. Tilting the device controls the direction of the players, which works well on these small devices with no keyboard or mouse. You can set up games with ease, choosing from over 500 teams in 35 reproduction stadiums. The graphics are amazing, and just … Read more

The 404 1,165: Where we roll into flavor town (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- NY Times posts violent takedown review of Guy Fieri's new restaurant in Times Square, New York.

- Travel Channel's Anthony Bourdain rips into Guy Fieri.

- Guy Fieri's last name isn't really Fieri.

- How Sony is turning into a ghost in Japan and around the world.

- Seriously though, how cool is this vintage Sony Sports transistor radio?

- Head to Sonyvintage.com for more photos and specs on vintage Sony hi-fi products.

- Japanese photo booth 3D prints mini models of an entire human being.

Bathroom break video: Grand Theft Auto V gets a new trailer and screenshots.… Read more

Outcry as Yahoo's Fantasy Football goes down on game day

As I keep telling my engineer friend George, becoming hooked on fantasy sports is like obsessively frequenting lap-dancing clubs.

It's not real, and yet some people think it's a little more real than the real thing.

Imagine, then, how real the pain was among the throng of Yahoo Sports' Fantasy Football players yesterday, as they tightened their fists, girded their loins and bolstered their bravado -- only to discover that the site has not turned up for work.… Read more

Drift HD Ghost action cam packs problem-solving features

With Drift Innovations' Drift HD Ghost, you can add one more action cam to the increasingly crowded market. But at least this one's a little more than another "me too" model.

Not the wide blocky design of camcorders like the GoPro, the Drift HD Ghost has a slimmer and longer body, like the iON Air or Sony Action Cam. Though the shape makes it less ideal for chest mounting, it is better for POV mounting on the side of goggles, masks, and helmets. The shape also gives it room for a built-in Gorilla Glass-protected 2-inch LCD for … Read more

Impact-sensing sports cap measures head injury

True story. A few years ago, I got a concussion at a baseball game -- and not because a ball hit me in the head. When my friend and I simultaneously turned and leaned in to talk, her head hit mine with such force I thought I had broken my nose. My doctor, however, said all signs pointed toward a concussion. Did I mention it was a Giants game? Go, Giants!

World Series aside, had I been wearing a new impact-sensing skullcap from Reebok and startup MC10, I might have immediately known whether I needed medical treatment or rest before resuming play, which in my case involved sitting on a bench trying to explain baseball to CNET's Swedish summer interns.

The sensor-laden mesh cap provides colored LED readouts that vary according to the level of impact, thus providing instant information on the gravity of the blow. It should be commercially available to consumers early next year, "essentially serving as an extra set of eyes on the ice -- or any other playing field," MC10 says. … Read more

Gibbs demoes ATV-Jet Ski mashup

It might not look as comfortable as James Bond's amphibious Lotus Esprit, but the Quadski has the advantage of not being fictional. Gibbs Sports Amphibians unveiled the amphibious recreation vehicle in Detroit today.

The Quadski is a single seat all-terrain-vehicle that can also operate on the water, making it truly all terrain. One rider can take it from land to water, a process that involves it folding its wheels up into the wells, presumably for better hydro-dynamics.

Gibbs says the Quadski can go up to 45 mph on land and water. The vehicle is powered by a 1.3-liter … Read more

Ellison reportedly mulls bid for sports-entertainment empire

Larry Ellison has apparently not given up on his dream of owning an NBA team.

The Oracle chief executive is considering a potential bid for Anschutz Entertainment Group, a sports and entertainment empire that holds an ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers, according to a Reuters report. Ellison, who recently plunked down a reported $500 million for a Hawaiian island, would likely have to pony up around $10 billion for AEG, which is owned by fellow billionaire Phil Anschutz.

CNET has contacted Oracle for comment and will update this report when we learn more.

In addition to its interest … Read more

Helmet-mounted crash sensor automatically calls for help

You're biking along, minding your own business. You reach an amazing downhill stretch. You pick up speed. You're really cranking along. Oh no! A hippopotamus wanders onto the trail! You swerve and end up faceplanting in the bushes.

Don't fear, your helmet will dial your emergency contacts and give your location. The ICEdot Crash Sensor is a stick-on sensor that mounts onto your helmet. It connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth. When it senses an impact, it sounds an alarm and starts a countdown clock on the crash sensor app. You have a set amount of time to turn it off.… Read more

The technology behind NBA 2K13

2K Sports' critically acclaimed NBA 2K franchise is no stranger to best sports video game lists. The CNET TV team recently went behind the scenes at 2K Sports' headquarters in Novato, Calif., just days before NBA 2K13 hits store shelves. The goal: to find out what's in their secret sauce.

I had the opportunity to jump into the company's motion capture studio, and suited up with markers placed strategically on my body. Lights surrounding the perimeter of the studio hit the markers, and the reflections allow them to be identified and processed by computers to capture wireframe animations … Read more