olympics

Tweet the feet: Adidas kicks get a built-in Twitter feed

Let's fast-forward to 2016. We're in Rio de Janeiro. Runner Usain Bolt decides to go for another historic Olympics run. He looks down at his shoes, where an outpouring of fan support flashes across a tiny display. "Go Usain!!!! Do it in WR time #olympics2016."

This could happen now that we have a proof-of-concept social-media shoe. Adidas and shoe hacker/designer Nash Money got together to rip apart a pair of Barricade shoes and embed a Twitter feed right into the sneakers.… Read more

The 404 1,108: Where we're not looking from behind (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

Crazy tape on Olympians: Does it work?

Fair or foul? Experts split over whether Pistorius has advantage.

U.S. Speed Suits could make all the difference.

World records set despite ban on high-tech suits.

Are humans or technology breaking Olympic records?

Creepy Weknowyourhouse.com scans your tweets to publish your address.

Bathroom break video: Some of the best LifeHacks ever.… Read more

Olympic athletes score big on Facebook

Following their amazing performances in the Olympics, many of the world's top athletes now have a lot more Facebook fans.

With the summer games coming to a finale yesterday, their influence on Facebook was examined in a report released today by Wildfire, Google's new social media marketing business.

Gold medal Olympic gymnast Gabrielle Douglas now boasts more than 590,000 Facebook fans, a surge of 3,944 percent since before the games. The page for fellow gymnast Marcel Nguyen holds more than 197,000 fans, an increase of 2,451 percent.

Athletes such as Steve Lewis, Camille Muffat, … Read more

Olympics score more than 150 million tweets

People who didn't follow the Olympics on TV or streaming media could still keep up with all the action via Twitter.

The micro-blogging site saw more than 150 million Tweets about the summer games, the company blogged yesterday. Now that the games have ended, which athletes and events won the most interest among tweeters?

Jamaica's Usain Bolt win of the gold medal in the 200-meter sprint scored a record on Twitter with 80,000 tweets per minute. His gold medal for the 100-meter sprint came in second with 74,000 tweets per minute. Bolt also was tops on … Read more

Interactive Google soccer goalie doodle goes for Olympic gold

Think you have what it takes to be Hope Solo on the Internet?

No, not on Twitter, telling Brandi Chastain to pipe down but with a virtual soccer goal net behind you and an opposing player in front of you, peppering you with shots.

That is the challenge Google's latest interactive Olympic doodle presents. After sending would-be Web Olympians over the hurdles, to the hoop, and downstream in a kayak, the Web giant's test for today is serving as goalkeeper.

Soccer -- or football as most of the world's population calls it -- is the world's … Read more

Usain Bolt breaks tweets-per-minute record during 200M

Not only did Jamaican Olympian Usain Bolt tear across the finish line winning the 200-meter sprint today, he also triumphed on the Internet. Bolt fans tweeted a record 80,000 tweets-per-minute as the runner overtook his competitors in the race.

"Record alert!" Twitter announced in a tweet earlier today. "@usainbolt sets a new Olympic Games conversation record with over 80,000 TPM for his 200m victory."

Bolt, 25, finished the race in 19.32 seconds winning the gold and beating fellow Jamaicans Yohan Blake and Warren Weir, who came in second and third respectively, according to … Read more

Olympic Google doodle takes Web boaters on a wild ride

Google has floated out what may be its most difficult interactive doodle for the Olympics -- so far.

After launching the hurdles and basketball free throw games earlier this week, the Web giant is highlighting the slalom canoe event at the 2012 London Games with a doodle. Users get a virtual canoe and virtual paddle and try to paddle over a water course as fast as they can. (Yes, the Olympics calls it a canoe event, but the event itself, and the doodle, clearly feature kayaks.)

Competitors use the left and right cursor buttons on their keyboard to maneuver their … Read more

Olympics-related malware goes on a global phishing trip

When the Summer Olympics roll around, you can count on some intense competition in key events like gymnastics. But for 2012, the action isn't just on the mat. It seems that distributing and battling malware and phishing efforts disguised as Olympics apps and info are practically an exhibition sport this summer.

An app called "London Olympics Widget" seems harmless enough, but according to Webroot's security blog, it actually rifles through your contacts, device info, and text messages. … Read more

The 404 1,105: Where we light the future (podcast)

As an expert on the subject of LED lighting, Sal Cangeloso of Geek.com helps us understand the challenges facing early adopters of the technology, the cost and performance advantages of LED bulbs, and the creative ways that people are using them, from the Occupy movement to the opening ceremony at the London Olympics.

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Check out Sal's book, "LED Lighting: A Primer to Lighting the Future."

- Follow Sal on Twitter.

- How to make your own LED throwies.

- LED lights shine at the London Olympic opening ceremonies.

- LED wallpaper is the nerd's ultimate nightlight.… Read more