July 27, 2012

At The Olympics 07/27/12

Forget taking 3G Wi-Fi-capable devices not powered by BT into the London Olympics venues. Security has prohibited "wireless access points and 3G hubs" along with firearms and toxic waste; in addition, "smart devices such as Android phones, iPhone and tablets are permitted inside venues, but must not be used as wireless access points to connect multiple devices." The London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) says Wi-Fi can be used within the park as long as it's through official partner BT : "To facilitate Internet access, BT are offering a range of Wi-Fi services across London as well and in nine Olympic venues including the Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre and Velodrome. Public Wi-Fi is also available in all public areas of the Olympic Park." BT Wi-Fi is free for BT Internet customers and subs on some smartphone contracts but everyone else has buy vouchers that range from $9.34 for 90 minutes to $61 for 30 days of access. For those who choose to challenge the system and then get caught, fines of more than $156 will be assessed…Streaming-event conduit FreeCast is offering international viewers a way to access live Olympics coverage in their area by aggregating the many streaming sources into one comprehensive global guide that links users to official Olympic provider streams within their specific countries. With more than 1.5 million daily video updates; 5,000 categorized channels; and dozens of live events each day, FreeCast's guide consolidates the content into one point of reference. FreeCast also offers Facebook and mobile apps, and, best of all, it’s free via Facebook, Twitter, Google and Linkedin account logins…If you can’t get enough of the games on cable, social network ConnecTV launched "Watercooler," a 24-hour chat destination for everything trending on TV, premiering with the gold-medal swimmers Greg Louganis, Aaron Peirsol, Amanda Beard and Eric Fonoimoana who will provided insights and analysis from the 2012 London Games. Coverage will feature live results, in-depth info and bios for select U.S. athletes, the best news sites for the Games, and streams of “the most relevant” Twitter users and news. ConnecTV’s partners include Cox Media Group, E.W. Scripps Co., Gannett Broadcasting, Hearst Television Inc., Media General Inc., Meredith Corp., Post-Newsweek Stations Inc. and Raycom Media.