How to Watch Sunday’s FIFA Final from Your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad

There’s never a lack of iPhone applications for anything, so there are certainly a few essentials for iPhone users wanting to catch the Women’s FIFA Final tomorrow. The excitement has built up in the past few months, and the US Women’s National Team is at the peak of their wonderful game – there’s no reason to miss tomorrow’s big event.

target="_blank" href="http://www.iphonealley.com/blog/how-to-watch-sundays-fifa-final-from-your-iphone-ipod-touch-or-ipad/attachment/1475845_full-lnd" rel="attachment wp-att-20396">src="http://www.iphonealley.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/1475845_FULL-LND-300x162.jpg" alt="" title="FIFA Women's" width="300" height="162" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-20396" />The most important thing tomorrow is to actually watch the action. You can do so straight from your iPhone, and now even with your onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.ipadngravy.com');" title="iPad" href="http://www.ipadngravy.com">iPad, with onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/itunes.apple.com/us/app/watchespn/id429009175?mt=8');" target="_blank" href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/watchespn/id429009175?mt=8">WatchESPN. The application is a free download and is basically just a mobile version of ESPN3, which can also be used for watching the game. I’ve tried this method of watching for previous soccer matches, and it’s worked flawlessly without doubt. If you won’t be able to watch on TV tomorrow, and want to catch the action, then this is the perfect for you.

Additionally, there are a various number of iPhone applications that will let you check previous standings, if you desire to do so, which should all turn up with a simple search on iTunes or the App Store.

So, who is everyone rooting for? The #USWNT (onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23USWNT');" target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23USWNT">Twitter Trend) seems like they have a pretty good shot at the title, but the Japanese could assume the the unexpected underdog role – you never know. As a reminder, the game airs tomorrow, Sunday July 17th at 2:45 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST).

iPad as independent second screen

Over a year and a generation since Apple mainstreamed the tablet with iPad and many are still not certain there’s a place in their life for a device that’s in between the smartphone and the laptop. And that’s very much how I felt. Sure I used my iPad a lot when I first got it, but then iPhone 4 came around and I went back to using that more. Then the new MacBook Air took over a lot of what I’d been using my iPad for, and I started to wonder — is it really necessary? iPad 2 brought me back for a time but it was still hard to see exactly where the bigger, keyboard-less screen fit into my life.

Then I realized my problem. I’d been trying to use the iPad instead of my iPhone or MacBook, and there were seldom times when it was more convenient than the former or more powerful than the latter. But then I notice something. Slowly, step by step, little by little, I was starting to use my iPad in addition to my MacBook.

There would be a video a wanted to watch, an article I wanted to read, a web site I wanted to browse, and instead of bringing it up on my MacBook and interrupting whatever else I was doing, instead of bring it up on my iPhone and compromising with the small screen, I grabbed my iPad. Even when I plug my MacBook into a cinema display, I often fill both screens with web dev tools or have Photoshop and Illustrator/InDesign hogging a lot of screen real estate. I could use Spaces, but more and more I’m just grabbing my iPad.

Recently John Siracusa highlighted an article by TechInch that cast the iPad as the microwave to the PC’s traditional oven, and in my case that feels apt. For quick, simple tasks, it’s easier and faster.

So now I might be working on way on my MacBook, Netflix playing next to me on my iPad, or some articles queued up in Instapaper, or some feeds ready in Reeder, or a game I want to sneak a few minutes on while waiting for a render or a server. I sometimes even use it for my email, so I don’t have to switch back and forth while I’m working.

It’s a second screen, but an independent one, and that’s fitting in for me just fine.

Griffin announce the Helo TC iOS app controlled helicopter

Griffin is set to unleash a remote controlled helicopter called the Helo TC. The Helo TC will be controlled by an app which will be available for iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. We have seen one of these before but where this helicopter differs to the already available Parrot AR Drone is in the price. The Helo TC will be available later this year for just £34.99 which is approximately $56.

To be fair, it is a totally different bit of technology compared to the Parrot AR Drone. The Helo TC is only suitable for indoor use, has a maximum flying time of just 8 minutes and has no on-board video capturing devices.

Control of the helicopter will be done by a dedicated app which will be available for free in the App Store. The app will utilize the built in accelerometer; which will allow any budding pilots to navigate by simply tilting the iPhone in the direction they want it to go. There is also the option to use an onscreen joystick too. The Helo TC app can record and store up to 3 flight plans, perfect for annoying friends and family!

Look for this one popping up in Apple Stores later in the year. I don’t know about you but I am all over this when it becomes available.

[T3]