Sports

Nike+ FuelBand app integrated with Apple’s Health, now uses your iPhone to track movement

It only took, what, five months, but Nike's FuelBand application for the iPhone was finally refreshed Friday, adding much-needed integration with Apple's HealthKit platform. As a result, a dedicated FuelBand accessory is no longer required to track your activity or earn Fuel points, your iPhone now does this.

To reflect this change in direction, the app has been rebranded and is now being marketed as just Nike+ Fuel.

In addition to getting more insight into your activity in iOS 8's Health app, HealthKit integration makes your Fuel points visible in and accessible by other apps.

ESPN app gains iPad and iPhone 6 support, introduces ESPN Now and rebrands itself

A refreshed, rebranded, thoroughly revamped and much improved ESPN app is now available for download in the App Store.

ESPN 4.2 brings universal support for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, a thoroughly redesigned interface and long overdue support for the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus screen resolutions.

The updated software now combines the ESPN SportsCenter app for the iPhone and ESPN ScoreCenter for the iPad into a single unified experience, now rebranded under the new ESPN App name.

How to watch Super Bowl XLIX on iPhone, iPad and other devices

We are now just a few days away from Super Bowl XLIX, one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of the year. At 6:30 (EST) on Sunday, more than 110 million people are expected to tune in to watch the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots in a battle for the NFL Championship.

For those of you who don’t plan to spend the day huddled around a television set, we’ve put together a list of ways to follow the action on other popular devices. Live streaming will be available this year on iPad and PC/Mac, courtesy of NBC, no cable subscription required, and on iPhone via NFL Mobile.

Apple TV picks up a new channel for Sports Illustrated’s 120 SPORTS network

As spotted by MacRumors, Apple TV has just gained a brand new channel with content from Sports Illustrated's 120 SPORTS network.

120 SPORTS provides on-demand and streaming coverage from major sports networks, including content from the likes of MLB, NBA, NHL, PGA Tour, NCAA Football, NCAA Basketball, NASCAR and leading college leagues.

It's is an over-the-air update that doesn't require a restart. If it's not available on your box yet, choose Software Update in Apple TV's Settings. The new channel arrives just a few weeks following the addition of the Tennis Channel Everywhere channel to the set-top box.

Superbowl XLIX wallpapers for iPhone and iPad

The annual event where everyone in America acts like they loved football year round. For die hard fans, Super Bowl XLIX is the culmination of a destiny for their chosen team. After many Sundays and Mondays of ceaselessly cheering, the Super Bowl is a proving grounds for only the top two NFL teams.

In stark contrast, many more Americans crowd around the TV for plenty of beer, hot wings, nachos, beanie weenies, peanut butter filled pretzels, potato chips, and the commercials. Regardless of allegiance, millions of people will watch for some reason, even if they just happen to be in the same room for social purposes. To celebrate the madness, show your team spirit with these Superbowl XLIX wallpapers and cheer on your team in the comment section below.

Bowling Central teams up with your Apple TV for Wii-like bowling action

Rolocule, the veteran developers behind games like Motion Tennis and Dance Party, is back with perhaps its most ambitious title ever called Bowling Central. At its core, the game offers a stellar mobile bowling experience, with state-of-the-art physics, stunning 3D graphics and over 30 unique challenges. But things get really interesting when you turn on your Apple TV.

Utilizing Apple's AirPlay Mirroring technology, Bowling Central can stream gameplay footage from your iOS device to your television set by way of Apple TV. This not only gives you a much better view of the game, but it also frees up your iPhone or iPod touch to be used as a controller for what is best described as a Wii-like gaming experience. Here, check out the demo:

Official mobile game of the FIA World Rally Championship hits iOS

Fans of racing games, listen up! The official mobile game of the FIA World Rally Championship has been released in the App Store.

Developed by Firebrand Games and published by Bigben Interactive, WRC The Official Game for the iPhone and iPad includes official content of the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship, including eighteen licensed cars, and lets you play as any of the seventeen official drivers to win a total of thirteen official events of the 2014 WRC calendar.

While previous official titles have been something of a disappointment, WRC The Official Game looks promising, at least graphics-wise, so here's hoping it doesn't ruin the fun with inaccurate and unresponsive controls.

Sega’s Football Manager Handheld 2015 hits iOS

Japanese games maker Sega on Thursday rolled out Football Manager Handheld 2015 to the App Store. Featuring improved look and feel, a brand new match engine, a Scouting Agency feature and new world rankings with dynamic league reputation, the latest installment in the award-winning Football Manager series lets smartphone and tablet gamers live out the dream of managing their favorite real-life club.

And with enhancements such as richer club stats and a Manager Achievements page to get a run-down on all trophies, awards and achievements won, Football Manager Handheld 2015 should be an insta-buy for anyone in the market for a football manager.

The iPhone and iPad download will set you back ten bucks a pop. Additional features such as challenges and an in-game editor are available through In-App Purchases.

Nike+ Running now integrates with iOS 8 Health, adds elevation tracking and more

Apple CEO Tim Cook has had a seat on the Nike board for quite some time now and the sports equipment giant was first out of the gate with an app that showcased the iPhone 5s's low-powered M7 motion coprocessor. But despite close Apple ties, Nike's been suspiciously mum regarding integrating its many iOS apps with iOS 8's Health database.

That changed Tuesday as a new version of Nike+ Running got released with support for NikeFuel data sync with iOS 8's Health application. The refreshed app brings out a few other nice-to-haves, such as tracking your elevation on latest devices and more.

Nike's other iOS apps will hopefully pick up Health integration in due time. Nike+ Running is a free download in the App Store.

Royals and Giants ballparks accepting Apple Pay during World Series

Folks lucky enough to be attending the World Series over the next week will be happy to hear that Apple Pay payments will be accepted at both Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City and AT&T Park in San Francisco. MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM) announced the availability this afternoon.

In conjunction with MasterCard, MLBAM says it worked hard to bring a variety of contactless payment services and devices to the ballparks in time for the Championship series, which will allow attendees to purchase food and beverages at concession stands using their own smartphones.

Bleacher Buddy helps you find what channel the game is on

Bleacher Buddy is an iPhone app built to answer the age-old question: "what channel is the game on?" It's not a new app by any means, but I came across it for the first time today, and with the fall sports season now in full swing, I figured it'd be pertinent to mention it.

Using Bleacher Buddy is as easy as you'd expect it to be. You start off by giving it your zip code, and then selecting your satellite or cable TV provider. Once that's done, tell the app what sport, or specific game, you want to watch, and it will tell you which channel to turn to.

EA Sports releases FIFA 15 Ultimate Team for iPhone and iPad

EA Sports, formerly a marketing gimmick of Electronic Arts but now a brand that creates and develops sports video games, on Tuesday released FIFA 15 Ultimate Team as a freemium download in the App Store.

Coming in at a massive 1.06 gigabytes, this iPhone and iPad game features authentic football action backed by Electronic Arts' massive marketing budget and whiz-bang campaign, with licensed player and team names, motion-captured animations and other goodies.