Summary

For the sports participant, gaining a competitive edge always had a history of data attached, long before data could be acquired electronically. The new world is hurling sports-related data at us for both personal-skills growth and for a better participant experience. Advances in what used to be futuristic virtual display technology are now available to the average consumer. Data-emitting devices are appearing in our sports gear, which we will exploit for personal-skills growth. Similar devices are appearing on our sports heroes for our benefit (a richer audience experience) and for their benefit (better coaching). We are interfacing with our own personal sports and public sports using the tools we use in our daily and business lives: wireless communicators, the Internet, GPS, and, of course, our computers. Connectedness has created a new breed of participatory and online games that are retraining our expected level of interaction of entertainment with each other. Even our TV- and video-viewing desires are now moving toward viewer controlled, real time, and interactive. In the connected world, our sports and entertainment diversions are being driven more directly by us and tying us closer to the event.