July 19, 2006. Copyright 2006, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Sports stats in the palm of your hand while you sit in the stand
By Mark Rutter

LONDON, July 19, Graphic News:  If youÕve ever been torn between going to a live sporting event to soak up the atmosphere and staying at home to watch the more intimate and extensive coverage on television, you can now combine the two. Thanks to a revolutionary new handheld device -- the so-called Kangaroo TV -- spectators at sporting events worldwide will be able to see replays on demand, access all the stats and listen into the conversations of participants.
 
As the gadget is particularly suited to motor racing, itÕs no surprise that Formula One is the first international sport to get it. Canadian company Kangaroo Media has entered into a licence agreement with Formula One Management Ltd to introduce the hand-held TVs at races for the next six years. Earlier this month, spectators at the U.S. Grand Prix in Indianapolis could view the race from an in-car camera, receive information on lap times, race speeds and positions, as well as following selected drivers. The wireless technology is being rolled out gradually, but by next season most of the features should be available at Formula One World Championship events worldwide.
 
Kangaroo is working on a model that will be available to buy, with an activation fee for particular events, although you should be able to rent one at a cost of $75-100 for a weekend of racing. For this Kangaroo TV promises to let you go further than conventional TV by creating your own customised sporting event. Racing teams are reputedly using the device to track the performance of their rivals.
 
Similar technology has been around for several years in the U.S. for Champ Car racing. The Sprint Nextel FanScan allows those who cannot attend a race to listen in to live driver and team conversations via a mobile phone. In February this year, Kangaroo Media teamed up with Nextel, the data communications company, and the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), to introduce a more sophisticated handheld scanner called FanView. Adding to the original audio capability of the FanScan, it comes with video and data features, allowing spectators a choice of seven cars from which to view a NASCAR race and to receive all the race facts.
 
With the technology now going international, the number of sports for which such devices are available is set to grow. In the U.S., Vivid Sky has launched its SkyBox system, which it hopes to introduce to the National Football League, Major League baseball and PGA golfing events. The system also allows the option of having data -- such as team and player stats -- sent to a PDA or mobile phone. SkyBox even promises to have a facility for ordering snacks and merchandise without having to leave your seat. Moreover, instant replays from a variety of camera angles will mean you shouldnÕt ever have to worry about missing any of the action. The new technology will change the way millions of people view live events, and might even tempt a few ardent armchair fans along to the game too.
/ENDS