New Technology Is Vaulting Its Way Into the Olympics

There’s new ways to get video coverage, newly printed athletic gear and pokéballs galore.

By Alain StephensAugust 11, 2016 12:47 pm

It’s Olympic season, if you haven’t noticed. That means cramming in as much of the endless sports coverage as possible – even if it only means catching a glimpse of highlights at a bar. It’s impossible to catch every minute of the action. But no need to fret – there’s an app for that. Instead of flying to Rio, you can watch the games through Samsung Gear VR. Omar Gallaga, with the Austin American-Statesman’s 512 Tech, goes through how VR and other technology is integrated into this year’s games.

“There’s something like 4,500 hours being broadcast traditionally and 85 hours of the Olympics that are being done in VR – which really just means the 360 views,” Gallaga says. “You’re not in a virtual world with dragons and stuff.”

What you’ll hear in this segment:

– How 3D printing has made its way into the Olympics

– How you can stream the games online

– Pokémon Go at Rio