* San Francisco Giants turn ballpark into one big wireless hot spot
The bad news is that the San Francisco Giants (Larry’s favorite baseball team) didn’t make the playoffs this year. But the good news is that they did enjoy some progress on the technology front. This season, the Giants teamed with Nortel to create a “Giant Size” hot spot at SBC Park, their home field.
Larry Baer, the Giants’ executive vice president and chief operating officer, said in a statement, “When we opened SBC Park in 2000, our goal was to be one of the most technologically-advanced sports facilities in the world. Through the use of wireless, digital and online technology, we have greatly enhanced the fan experience.”
The free service is available to fans on their wireless-enabled laptops, tablet PCs and PDAs. Fans can call up instant replays, team stats, and other content provided by the Giants organization.
The Giants have also equipped all ballpark suites with computers, flat-panel displays and wireless accessories that provide Internet access along with more exclusive content from the Giants Digital Dugout, including archived video footage.
Media and photographers are the biggest proponents of the service, according to the Giants, as well as early-adopter fans who continually rave about it.
So Steve and Larry’s big question is: can we order a beer from our seat using the hot spot connection? Not yet, but according to Baer, the team is looking to expand the wireless services to allow our fans to order food online.
Maybe next year, we can avoid the concession-stand lines, have that cold beer delivered seat-side, AND enjoy the Giants in the World Series. Now that’s pretty close to what we call a killer application!
