9 Apps for the Olympics

For one thing, if you miss any of this year’s Winter Olympics action, chances are you can find what you’re looking for by going to NBC’s Olympics website and watching live and recorded footage, some in high-def, right on your computer or feed it to a TV or projection display.

Of course, finding videos and information in this current generation of Olympics coverage is easier than ever. That includes applications to help you follow things on your mobile devices.

With the iPhone and iPod touch chief among those (we’re sure the video portion will be even stronger when the 2012 Summer Games hit the iPad) we’ve rounded up 9 Applications for the Olympics to keep you up to date on all the activity from the Vancouver Games, all for about the cost of a cup of coffee.


NBC Olympics on AT&T
Looking for the results of women’s alpine skiing? The free app, NBC Olympics, provides real-time updates on every event. In addition to results, recaps and news, you’ll be able to tap into video clips and view the current medal counts. You can set up notifications so you’ll be alerted when your favorite sport is on.


Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games
A similar app to the NBC Olympics on AT&T one, Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games details the cultural events that are happening in addition to the sporting events.


Olympics Live
This 99-cent app turns your iPhone into a newspaper filled with coverage on the Vancouver Olympics. No fancy stuff just the facts. The information is updates in real time.


Winter Games Grub
Want to learn more about a particular athlete? Interested in joining an Olympics blog? This free app provides these and other tidbits.


Vancouver 2010 Full Calendar
Check to see when you’ll be able to catch the biathlon on TV with this helpful daily 99 cent guide to the events.


Winter Games 2010
You might not have the stuff it takes to compete at the Olympics, but you can compete with others worldwide by using the free live online gaming app, Winter Games 2010 (note: different image pictured). Compete and earn medals in bobsled, luge, skeleton, snowboard, and various ski events.


NBC Olympics Cheer
It’s the modern version of the TV brick, except with this free app on your iPhone you’ll be cheering with the broadcast instead of jeering. With a quick tap on the screen of your iPhone you can play sounds like cowbells and airhorns, and play special sounds by skaking the phone or blowing into the microphone.


Winter Games History
You might know all about Shaun White’s childhood, but did you know that in 1924 the Winter Games were held in France? Bone up on your Olympics trivia with the $1.99 app Winter Games History.



Great Sporting Moments
When all is said and done, use this 99-cent to relive some of the greatest Olympics moments. In addition to viewing Olympic history, you’ll be able to go back and see the great moments in football, tennis, baseball and other sports.

10 Tips to Get Your A/V Set for the Big Game

Whether you’re rooting for the Colts or the Saints, you’ll want your A/V system to be in tip-top shape for the Super Bowl next weekend. Many of the tweaks you’ll be able to handle yourself; others might require the handiwork of a custom electronics (CE) professional.

“It might sound silly, but it’s a good idea to do a test run before Sunday to make sure everything is ready to go,” says Rob Roessler of Audio Video Concepts in Columbia, Ill. “There’s nothing worse than finding out the day of the Super Bowl that your cable box is locked up or the picture on your big-screen looks grainy.”

Oh, and be sure to have an extra set of batteries on hand for your remote, too, says Ryan Lipkovicius of Audio Impact in San Diego.

Even if everything seems a-ok, you still might want to bring in a pro to at least recalibrate your TV and sound system. It’ll cost between $100 and $300, but it’ll ensure that the picture and sound are perfect. For example, by adjusting the settings of your A/V receiver, your pro can make it feel as if you’re seated alongside the screaming fans at the stadium. He’ll also be able to check the signal strength of your satellite reception and if necessary realign the dish to prevent signal dropouts or picture pixilation during the game.

The TV itself will probably need a little fine tuning, as well. If you’ll be watching the game on a rear-projection TV or a video screen, make sure the display’s bulb will make it through the game. If you’re concerned about it burning out, have a pro install a new bulb ($300-$700).

Given that the Super Bowl is just a week away, there’s no guarantee a CE pro will be able to squeeze you into his schedule. Thankfully, there are several adjustments you can make on your own. “Some new audio receivers have a calibration microphone built in which makes it a breeze,” says Roessler. “You just go through the setup process and make sure all the levels are correct.”

Derek Cowburn of DistinctAV, McCordsville, Ind., offers another tip: “Test the surround-sound modes [while watching a sporting event] and jot down the modes you like best. Be sure to remember what buttons you pressed to get there.”

If you think your old receiver may not be up to snuff, for around $600 you can trade up to a more sophisticated model. “Basic receivers just produce sound,” explains Ryan Herd of One Sound Choice, Pompton Plains, N.J. “A better receiver will upconvert the audio and video for a much better result.”

If nothing else, take your receiver off “sports” or “stadium” surround mode,” says Eric Thies of DSI Entertainment Systems, West Hollywood, Calif. “These settings are simply corny and defeat the good work of the sound engineer of the Super Bowl.” With the settings disabled, the game will be presented in Dolby Digital—good for listening to both the game and The Who during the halftime.

Want more impact? “Adding a subwoofer to your current speaker arrangement can deliver a little more oomph on big hits and create a more uniform bass field for multiple seats within a media room,” adds P.J. Aucoin of Home Concepts, Calgary, Alberta.

The Super Bowl, as well as other big sporting events, will be presented in high-def, so in addition to fine-tuning your audio and video components, be sure to tweak the display. “If the white of the players’ jerseys is so bright it’s making the players’ numbers look fuzzy, your set is too bright. Dial it down,” says Thies. “Same with color: If the field is the color of glowing nuclear slime, ratchet the color back a bit to a more natural setting.”

Finally, if you don’t already own a universal remote, invest in one ($100-$500). It’ll simplify the setup and control of your system before, during and after the game. A CE pro can program special commands into the remote to really impress your friends. Cowburn recommends a “Commercial Mute” button that lowers the volume then restores it when pressed again (though maybe the ads will be funnier this year). A “Super Bowl” button, suggested by Aucoin, could tune every TV in the house to the Super Bowl—each at a specific volume level (loud in the family room but softer in the kitchen, for example).

Bantaeng Tennis wins again

One more achievement Junior tennis players from Bantaeng pertenisan Kancah engraved on the National level, having won in 2009 Master's Bakrie in Jakarta, which was held until Sunday, October 25, 2009. After conducting Road Show for 3 weeks in Vietnam and Malaysia (End of September until October 20, 2009), which Adim only able to escape to the Final Qualifying at the ITF International Junior Championship Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Malaysia ITF International Junior Championship, Malaysia.

The second game was a duel Adim programs that have been given by the coach Cibubur Tennis Camp, Ardi Rivali to be followed in order to target the Asian champions can be fulfilled, he said. Adim, close calls Iswan Nur Adim Ramdani (KU 16 Th) became the first seed in the tournament held each year by Entrepreneur Success, former Union Cabinet Menkosra part I, Abu Rizal Bakrie. At the 2009 Masters tournament Bakrie was held on 23-25 October 2009 held at the Tennis courts
Rasuna Said, Jakarta.

Adim is now ranked 8th KU Top 16 Thn showed toughness in the KU 16 Years after playing a champion. After defeating his opponents each M. Lutjfi of Bandung with a score of 6-3, 6-3. Furthermore Krishna Deda against South Kalimantan with a score of 6-3, 6-1. The third opponent Ekky Hamzah also won by a score of 4-6, 7-5 (10-6). The fourth opponent of Abraham Unggulaga from Surabaya by a score of 6-3, 7-6 (4) and the final defeat of Bali Nyoman Cahyadi with a score of 6-3, 4-6,10-4.

Bakrie Master 2009, also witnessed success attended Adim, Abu Rizal Bakrie, the organizers and participants Bakrie Master. All participants are given a free stay facilities at Hotel Century Jakarta. For 16 years Age Group amounted to a total of 8 people and athletes who compete in all age groups is 40 people. And this is the best tennis event of the National. Of success Adim the umpteenth time, has received positive response and support the management by the Chairman of the DPRD Kab. Bantaeng (A. Novrita Langgara). Where in the delivery to the Manager and Coach Bantaeng Tennis Camp said, "It is hoped many of the achievements Adim, because this is a regional asset of the most accomplished and needs serious attention from the regency. Bantaeng. And promised to speak specifically to the Regent Bantaeng, in order to defend a fixed Adim Bantaeng areas at the national level, Asian and International ".

Responses of DPRD Bantaeng get a response back from Bantaeng Tennis Camp Manager is also well Kabid. Coaching Achievement KONI Kab. Bantaeng (Syahrul Bayan) in a release said that "We feel grateful for this good feedback, and we will again review the training programs for our children another. Who now have to do is to reform the system for cadre training after Adim. We have athletes who are also potential tennis as Nur Oktafianti SulSel now represented on POPNAS October 2009 in Yogyakarta. Similarly Fauziah Aziz, Azima Faradina and Yaumil Iswan ".