Patriots Let Fans Test Out Virtual Reality Recently
David Butler II - USA TODAY Sports
Depending on how long you’ve been online and following the New England Patriots, you may not know just how innovative this team has been over the last 20 years.
This is a football team that was the first to really push the envelope in terms of web technology when it came to trying to connect fans closer with their team. They were among the first to use the RealPlayer software, a streaming software for both audio and video, making their head coach’s press conference audio available to fans as well as broadcasting video of each one live, and were among the first to create a daily video show devoted to the team.
They’ve pushed the limits of what can be done nearly every year as their site has evolved and if you head over to each of the other 32 clubs’ sites, you’ll notice that New England is far ahead of all of them in terms of technology and content as it pertains to really taking you deeper inside the day-to-day happenings of the team. They have far more transcripts, player interviews, and often times have the conference calls with the opposing teams available when they don’t even appear on that respective team’s site.
So it’s no surprise that the team is also among the first to join the coming virtual reality (VR) revolution and are in the forefront of the innovation. Google Cardboard is the company helping drive the technology and is in collaboration with Visa and Bank of America, and the Patriots are apparently participating.
According to TechTimes.com, more than 10,000 customized Google Cardboard head mounts were handed out this past weekend to fans who were at Gillette Stadium before the Patriots’ game with the Philadelphia Eagles. Using the Cardboard VR, fans were able to experience an interactive 360-degree video content of one of the home team’s recent training sessions.
Obviously at this point we’re at the early stages of where the technology is headed, but to feel like you’re right in the middle of the action is pretty impressive and certainly opens up the door for unlimited opportunities to make it even more immersive for fans who love the team.
Check out the video below:
Posted Under: Patriots Commentary
