Last week I got a review copy of Gameloft's NFL 2010. This week EA Mobile released some screenshots previewing their forthcoming Madden 2010 for iPhone. Must be football season, even though it's still August.

Gameloft did a really nice job, I think, of developing a casual football title for iPhone. Madden iPhone's screenshots look great, and people are all in a tizzy about the uber-popular franchise coming to iPhones and iPod Touches. But after running through a half dozen or so games on NFL 2010, not to mention countless matches on Touch Sports Tennis '09 and Real Soccer 2009, I've more or less decided that sports gaming on an all-touch system won't ever be all that great. There are exceptions - golf comes immediately to mind - and I consider racing and "sports novelty" games (like free throw shooting) to have their own genres. But the long and short of it is that fun sports games require button mashing, and virtual buttons just don't cut it.

Actually, I've found the virtual joysticks on NFL 2010 and Real Soccer 2009 to be more frustrating than the virtual buttons. Thumbstick or D-Pad, the lack of tactile feedback in iPhone OS' control scheme just really kills it for me when I'm trying to scramble my QB out of the pocket or send my outside middie on a far post run. Mashing virtual A and B buttons isn't great, but it's doable - I have fun playing Galaga on iPhone even if it's not as fun as Galaga on an Android device, where there's an actual fire button to wear my thumb out on. But controlling on-screen athletes is just really frustrating with a virtual stick/pad, at least for me.

Innovative iPhone platformers have incorporated or even been built around the OS' unique controls, assigning gameplay movements/actions to swiping, pinching, and gesturing on the screen and even tilting the device. Touch Sports Tennis tried to incorporate tilting into its game play by offering "tilt to aim" shot control, but I found the novelty quickly wore off. Instead of deflty aiming my shots, I found myself annoyed that I had to crane my neck to see the constantly-titling screen.

Maybe I'm just too used to "conventional" game controls like physical joysticks and buttons. Maybe I prefer Android hardware for gaming because the three Android devices I've tried (G1, myTouch 3G, and Hero) all have trackballs just like the Atari arcade games I grew up with (Centipede, Football, and Missile Command, amongst ohers). Or maybe all-touch controls just kinda bite it when it comes to fast action sports games that seem to thrive on consoles equipped with dual-stick, multi-button controllers.

Sports games on Wii work because you don't have to look at the controller like you do with iPhone OS. If I could tilt and swing my iPhone around like a tennis racquet while viewing the game on a stationary monitor in front of me, that'd be one thing. But trying to control a game by gesturing with the actual display I'm watching the action on? Too tough for me, sorry.

Beyond that, there's the matter of screen real estate eaten up by those virtual controls. iPhone and iPod Touch have nice big displays for cell phones, but they're not super huge. Since touchable D-pads and buttons wind up on the screen - and not flanking the screen as with the hardware controls on a system like Sony's PSP - you wind up with a bit less screen space for the actual game play. 

Game developers are trying all sorts of thngs to get around the problem, and it's worth re-stating the obvious: iPhone OS is a multipurpose communications/entertainment platform, and not a dedicated gaming system. I'm not apologizing for Apple with that, but instead bringing up the fact that comparing Madden on a jack-of-all-trades like iPhone/iPod Touch to Madden on a dedicated portable gaming system like PSP is inevitably going to be a bit unfair. Especially when iPhone OS games tend to sell for $10 or less, and not the $30-35 that top-tier PSP titles command on launch day.

NFL 2010 is fun - I'll get more into that in a dedicated review - and I've yet to play the forthcoming Madden title for iPhone. But returning to my PSP for a quick quarter's worth of Madden '09 reminded me how much more fun it is to have a D-Pad, analog stick, and a mess of buttons at my command when launching my virtual aerial assault on the AFC West. iPhone OS is great for casual gaming but when it comes to sports games, there's nothing like mashing a ton of buttons in vain as your perfect spiral floats just over the outstretched arms of your wide-open receiver on fourth-and-goal.

Which makes me wonder, yet again: Will anyone ever release a snap-on gaming pad for iPhone/iPod Touch? If so, would it be a success, or would it fail like the innovative but clunky LG Versa? Thoughts? Comments?

Steph seems to have the hang of mobile livecasting, though it's unclear if he's rocking Ustream mobile via smartphone or a 3G-connected laptop. Either way, this clip from yesterday's cast - which I found on Inside Hoops - shows Steph broadcasting from the backseat of his car as the car gets into an accident of some sort. What was hit and what exactly happened here isn't clear, but for my money this is as sure a sign as any that Starbury needs to log off, put down the mobile device, and stop with the mobile broadcasting for a spell. If nothing else, this clip plays to me like evidence of leaving the scene of an accident (I'm not saying they should arrest the dude, I'm just sayin' you should think twice before incriminating yourself and your driver via mobile video).

Those of you who are really interested should check out the very bizarre, emotionally torturous livecast Steph posted earlier in the week. I've never been much of a fan of Steph, honestly, but I'm worried about the guy. Whatever demons are plaguing you, Stephon, I hope you get some help with them soon.  And everyone else out there, just remember that there is such a thing as oversharing. Put down the cameraphone and step away from the live stream of yourself before it's too late, m'kay?

AT&T announced yesterday that all 63 games of the tournament will be live from your device.  Find out more from their complete press release here.

And be sure to leave us a comment about who you picked to win it all.  I have a ton of different pools going, but my heart (not my money) stays with my alma mater, the University of Illinois! 

The brand new COLTs the most powerful and technologically advanced mobile cell sites ever deployed by Verizon Wireless in Florida have been rolled into position near Dolphin Stadium to boost wireless coverage for the anticipated surge in wireless usage by tens of thousands of visiting football fans, game sponsors and news media, as well as for South Florida customers and businesses. During last year's big game in Detroit, traffic on the Verizon Wireless network in and around Ford Field increased 500 percent, compared to average wireless network traffic during a regular season game.

Florida's COLTs are already helping Verizon Wireless' robust Miami-area network with the super spike in wireless calls, text messages, picture and video messages, Internet connections and other wireless traffic that travels around the world during this week's many high-profile game-related activities. This is the first time Verizon Wireless has deployed COLT vehicles for the annual big game. Verizon Wireless has dispatched them frequently in the past to support emergency workers in natural disasters like wildfires and hurricanes when their quick deployment, self-sufficiency and ability to maneuver in close quarters makes them indispensable.

Each COLT features a 75-foot telescoping antenna, nine dedicated voice channels and two high-speed data channels that can handle hundreds of phone calls and data transmissions simultaneously. At the height of the football championship game, Verizon Wireless expects millions of successful connections per hour on its Florida digital network.

"These COLTs and other advanced wireless technologies are part of our ongoing effort to maintain the strongest and most reliable wireless coverage throughout the year for customers here in Florida and nationwide," said Pamela Tope, Florida region president of Verizon Wireless. "We know from our experience in Detroit last year and at big events like this in other big cities that there are smart ways for us to get ready to handle the increased call volumes of our customers who rely on our service at home and on the road whether at work or play."

In addition to the COLTs, Verizon Wireless has fine-tuned its permanent network sites and added capacity to ensure the highest performance throughout South Florida for the football game. Verizon Wireless invested $205 million in 2006 alone in Florida to enhance services and coverage to customers throughout the state. The company's network investment now totals about $1.5 billion in Florida and more than $35 billion nationally over the past seven years.

Efforts in Florida in 2006 featured the addition of more than 90 new wireless transmission sites, as well as the launch of the high-speed wireless data network in numerous new markets in the state. With these launches, nearly 90 percent of Florida's population has access to Verizon Wireless' advanced wireless broadband services such as BroadbandAccess and V CAST.

BroadbandAccess allows customers to connect wirelessly to the Internet, download e-mail and applications, and log into their corporate servers via their laptop at broadband speeds. The technology provides mobile workers full access, productivity and security, just as if they were at their desks and attached via a high-speed wired connection, but with the freedom of true mobility.

V CAST gives customers access to short video content, downloadable music, and cutting-edge 3D games on their mobile phones. With V CAST, customers can get short video content on demand, including current news, weather, sports and entertainment programming. And music lovers with a V CAST Music-enabled phone are able to download and play their favorite songs all while on-the-go.

On Feb. 4, fans attending Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium will receive a pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope at their seats to recycle their used wireless phones, batteries and accessories. In addition to the in-stadium envelope giveaway, Sprint Interception envelopes will be available at other locations such as South Beach's Lummus Park ("Shulaville") and the Miami Beach Convention Center in South Florida throughout the week leading up to the game.

"The Sprint Interception Program is just another benefit Sprint can offer as a result of our relationship with the NFL," said Debby Ballard, director of community relations for Sprint. "Here's an opportunity to have a positive impact on the environment while helping our youth, and there's no bigger event to kick off a campaign like this than the Super Bowl."

Sprint Interception is a recycling program that benefits the environment by reducing the number of used mobile phones that might otherwise end up in landfills, while simultaneously generating funds for NFL Charities to benefit at-risk youth. Wireless phones, batteries and accessories, from any carrier and in any condition, are accepted. For more information visit sprint.com/nfl.

"Since partnering with Sprint in 2005, our fans have been able to experience the NFL in an entirely new way," said NFL Director of Community Ventures Beth Colleton. "We are proud to extend our corporate partnership into the community to help those in need."

Sprint Interception will last 12 months, culminating at Super Bowl XLII in Phoenix. Recycling envelopes will be made available to NFL fans at a variety of events throughout 2007.

Since 2001, Sprint's wireless recycling programs have helped prevent nearly seven million phones from ending up in landfills and raised more than $3 million for charitable programs.

Under the contract, members of the Notre Dame community will be able to purchase every wireless handset and PDA in Cingular's broad portfolio.

Cingular is the first cellular carrier to transmit on Notre Dame's new distributed cellular antenna system -- provided by NextG Networks, Inc. -- to maximize both exterior and in-building wireless coverage throughout the 1,250-acre campus.

"The University of Notre Dame is committed to integrating wireless into its communications infrastructure in recognition of the growing dependence that our students, faculty, and staff have on mobile technology," said Dewitt Latimer, Chief Technology Officer Notre Dame. "Cingular, as an industry leading wireless provider for the University, is playing a significant role in this strategy. It is delivering an integrated wireless service offering with competitive rates, a broad array of devices, campus-wide network coverage, value-added services and dedicated support that not only meets our needs today but in future years as well."

"Our work with the University of Notre Dame demonstrates Cingular's value proposition to the College and University market - an unparalleled expertise in delivering end-to-end wireless voice and data solutions that meet the unique needs of this growing segment," said Chris Hill, vice president, government solutions, for Cingular Wireless.

Cingular has a dedicated sales and support team focusing on the needs of colleges and universities. Cingular Wireless has contractual relationships with many of the top colleges and universities in the U.S.

The Motorola network will enable the media to seamlessly access the Internet and report and file stories easily while moving through several on-site Super Bowl venues. Access areas will include the media center at the General Motors Renaissance Center and Ford Field press areas. Reporters can easily connect to the Internet at these sites using their own laptops and wireless cards.

Media interested in accessing the Motorola network will need their laptop, notebook or PDA equipped with a standard Internet browser and Wi-Fi compliant (802.11b) wireless Ethernet capabilities.
Motorola provides end-to-end networking solutions for the home, small business and enterprise. For Super Bowl XL, Motorola will supply the Motorola WiAP-200, a leading enterprise-class Wi-Fi access point, network switches and servers part of the WiNS portfolio of wireless broadband products.

In addition, Motorola also will deploy its MOTOMESH multi-radio broadband network around the perimeter of Ford Field to enhance public safety measures during the Super Bowl.  The MOTOMESH network will deliver seamless video surveillance connectivity and mobile broadband data access over the secure 4.9GHz public safety band to local and federal public safety officials securing the event.

Visitors to Detroit's Motown Winter Blast will have warm sandy beaches, palm trees, tiki bars, sand sculptures, beach volleyball and surfers cutting up a shapely shore-break in Motorola's 220' enclosure. The Hawaiian Island beach paradise recreates what NFL players and fans experience at the NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu.

"We see the outpouring of support the NFL and its sponsors receive from the citizens in every city that hosts a Super Bowl," said Kathleen Finato, Vice President of Marketing, Motorola. "So this year, we wanted to create an environment that highlights Motorola's NFL sponsorship and gives the people of Detroit a taste of the Pro Bowl in Hawaii and a chance to win a trip to experience it first hand."

The Motorola exhibit is located at Michigan Ave between Woodward Ave. and Griswold St. and will feature Pro Bowl Skills challenges, appearances from NFL players, live surfing demonstrations, pro-beach volleyball demonstrations from AVP professionals, tiki bars and just about everything else you'd experience at the Pro Bowl without the sunburn. This tropical oasis will provide Detroit residents and visitors with a warm, fun-filled location to enjoy the Hawaiian Pro Bowl environment, while also experiencing the hottest new products from Motorola.

Motorola will feature surfing demonstrations daily using the the FlowRider® wave machine that utilizes high-tech sheet-flow technology. Powered by a Flygt submersible propeller pump, the FlowRider generates a thin sheet of water that flows over a stationary wave form. The resulting wave-like shape permits riders to drop in, bottom turn and carve on a simulated wave surface. The FlowRider combines elements and skills from a variety of board sports such as snowboarding, boogie boarding, surfing, skateboarding, and wakeboarding. It uses 20,000 gallons of water, which is continuously recycled.

AVP pro-beach volleyball demonstrations and clinics will also be held daily featuring the number-one ranked AVP player in the world Mike Lambert along with Scott Lane, and the third-ranked AVP Men's pairing of Matt Fuerbringer and Casey Jennings.

The AlohaMoto experience will also feature daily appearances by NFL players signing autographs and interacting with consumers in a variety of football skills challenges where consumers can win Motorola prizes.

As part of the AlohaMoto experience, the AlohaMoto Detroit Sweepstakes will provide local residents with the chance to win two tickets to Super Bowl XL and a trip for two to the 2006 Pro Bowl Game in Honolulu. The prize package will be personally delivered by the Holt brothers on Super Bowl Sunday morning prior to the game, who will then escort the winner and a guest to the game in a limousine.

Fans can enter for the chance to win by visiting Motorola.com/nfl and clicking on the "AlohaMoto Detroit Sweepstakes" link. Entries must be received by Saturday, Feb. 4 at 11:59 a.m. (ET). Five semi-finalists will be notified to ensure that they're present on Sunday morning to claim the grand prize; however, the winner will not know they've won the grand prize until the moment that the Holt brothers show up at their home with the limousine in tow.

With Super Bowl XL a week away, I wanted to take this opportunity to ask the question; Who do you believe will have the best commercial come game day?   Will it be another Vonage Super Bowl, or will one of the other VoIP providers surprise us this year?  Maybe it will be a great year for one of the cellular carriers.  Those of you who have read my previous blogs, already know how much I love the Nextel commercial with the guys in their office dancing!  If not Nextel, Boost Mobile with their celebrity client list could possibly make the day with a new one of their clever "Where they could have ended up?" commercials.
 
So take the time to let us know which commercials have made you laugh in past Super Bowls or who you expect to see this year.  This Super Bowl Sunday in honor of my superstitious friend Dan, I will wait until just after kickoff to put on my #7 away jersey and hope for this to just be the best Super Bowl Sunday I have had in years.  (By the way, don't look for me on Monday because I have requested the day off!!!) :-)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback PEYTON MANNING ranked first among Sprint wireless voters while Atlanta Falcons quarterback MICHAEL VICK, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver MARVIN HARRISON, Seattle Seahawks running back SHAUN ALEXANDER and Colts running back EDGERRIN JAMES round out the top five respectively.

The teams will be announced at 4 p.m. (ET) today on the 2006 Pro Bowl Selection Show on ESPN. The Pro Bowl will be played in Hawaii on Sunday, Feb. 12 and televised by ESPN.

Fans were able to cast their Pro Bowl ballots by text messaging from a phone using Sprint wireless service to vote for their favorite players at each position.

Fans who voted for their Pro Bowl players were entered for a chance to win a trip to the Pro Bowl in the 2006 NFL Pro Bowl Sweepstakes presented by Sprint. The Grand Prize includes an all-expense-paid trip to the game in Honolulu as well as exclusive experiences such as the chance to meet and talk football with Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback JOHN ELWAY, attend practice, take a tour of Aloha Stadium, obtain pregame sideline passes and more.

The AFC and NFC All-Star squads are made up of the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches. Each group's vote counts one-third towards determining the 43-man rosters that represent the American Football Conference and National Football Conference in the Pro Bowl.

The NFL is the only sports league that combines voting by fans, coaches and players to determine its all-star teams. It was the first professional sports league to offer online all-star voting in 1995.

Sprint revolutionized the way NFL fans get their information when it launched NFL Mobile in October giving fans exclusive access to NFL content and original programming. NFL Mobile programming includes an all-NFL-all-the-time television channel -- NFL Network; exclusive video- and audio-on-demand highlights from NFL Films; and up-to-the-minute team/player scores, stats and injury.

Listed below are the top 10 overall All-Star vote-getters via Sprint's wireless service.

Top 10 Sprint Wireless Vote Getters

(Rank, Pos., Name, Team)

1. QB, Peyton Manning, Colts
2. QB, Michael Vick, Falcons
3. WR, Marvin Harrison, Colts
4. RB, Shaun Alexander, Seahawks
5. RB, Edgerrin James, Colts
6. RB, LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
7. LB, Brian Urlacher, Bears
8. QB, Eli Manning, Giants
9. WR, Chad Johnson, Bengals
10. QB, Carson Palmer, Bengals