7 Ways to Keep Tabs on the World Cup From Work
June 11, 2010— -- So you're not jetting off to Johannesburg.
That doesn't mean you can't keep up with the scores and stories coming out of World Cup 2010.
The Web is exploding with videos, mobile applications, widgets and more to help footy fans keep tabs on the mega soccer tournament -- even if they're deskbound at work.
Given how big the audience is expected to be, some think the World Cup could be a major event, not just for the sports world, but for Web video and social media too.
"I think it could be record-setting," said Janko Roettgers, co-editor of NewTeeVee, a new media and online video blog. "It has such a presence all over the world and people all over the world are going to be tuning in at the same time and conversing about it."
From watching live video streams to apps for every kind of mobile device or following the action in real-time on Twitter, the options are vast.
Below, check out seven ways you can satisfy your appetite for all things World Cup.
ESPN
No TV? No problem.
At ESPN3.com, it'll be all soccer, all the time.
The website will stream 54 out of 64 games in real time, with live commentary in English, Arabic, German, Japanese and Korean. Roettgers said the site will also offer Facebook and Twitter integrations, the ability to jump through programming to key plays in the game and a split-screen mode.
But he said that not all fans will be able to tune in. To access the programs, users have to be a customer of a partner ISP (Internet service provider), including AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and others. (For a full list, click here.) You'll also need to install Adobe's Flash Player 10 to watch.
For soccer fans who want soccer coverage on the go, ESPN also offers an iPhone application that, for $7.99, lets them watch matches live from their phones.
ESPN Mobile also will deliver 56 games live on FLO TV, MobiTV, Sprint TV and Verizon V-Cast. AT&T Mobile TV subscribers will be able to access all 64 games live. Owners of the Sprint Evo 4G smartphone will able to watch 56 World Cup matches live through ESPN's Mobile TV channel via Sprint.
Univision
If your ISP isn't associated with ESPN, you still can tune in to UnivisionFutbol.com, which will be accessible to everyone.
Commentary will be in Spanish, but even for some non-native Spanish speakers, that's a bonus.
"Personally, I'm a soccer fan and I prefer the Spanish anyway because it's more animated," Roettgers said.
The games will come complete with real-time stats and minute-to-minute commentary, he said. But, you'll also need Adobe's Flash Player 10 to watch the action.
