Tech review: These apps will get you ready for winter sports
The Brooklyn Nets app features stats, schedules, behind-the-scenes videos, and more. Credit: Brooklyn Nets
You might not be ready for winter, but winter sports are already here.
The NHL opens its season this week while the NBA begins its regular season Oct. 16. These apps can help you follow the Knicks, Nets, Rangers and, of course, the Islanders, who return to Nassau Coliseum for 20 games this season.
Official New York Knicks
Brooklyn Nets
(iOS, Android; free)
The Knicks and Nets combined to win 57 games last year —one fewer game than the champion Golden State Warriors won all by themselves. But both local teams have reasons for hope this year. These official team apps, updated for the new season, provide stats, schedules and behind-the-scenes videos. There are added features available when you are inside Madison Square Garden for Knicks games or Barclays Center for Nets Games.
NBA Live Mobile Basketball
(iOS, Android; free)
This popular basketball simulator has been updated for the new season. You can build a team with today’s stars or reach back in time and enlist some of the greatest NBA players of all time. For this year’s game, developer EA Sports has simplified and refined some controls and added a “campaign hub” that makes it easier to track your progress in the game.
NHL
(iOS, Android; free)
Official New York Knicks - Brooklyn Nets - (iOS, Android; free) - The Knicks and Nets combined to win 57 games last year -- the same amount as the champion Golden State Warriors won all by themselves. But both local teams have reasons for hope this year. These official team apps, updated for the new season, provide stats, schedules, and behind-the-scenes videos. There are added features available when you are inside Madison Square Garden for Knicks games or Barclays Center for Nets Games. Credit: Madison Square Garden
The go-to app for Islander and Ranger fans — there are no official standalone NHL team apps because the league wants fans to use this app as a portal to the individual teams’ pages. The big news for Islanders fans is the team is returning to the Nassau Coliseum for 20 regular-season games, and you can purchase tickets via the app. Rangers fans can also purchase tickets for their team’s games.
Stickman Ice Hockey
(iOS, Android; free)
The best hockey game this year is NHL 19, but unfortunately for mobile gamers it is available only for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Stickman Ice Hockey, part of the popular Stickman sports series, can provide a nice diversion. You pick a team and stock it with players, each of whom has strengths and weaknesses. You can compete in full-season mode or simply play a quick game.
Growth story
An E. coli outbreak earlier this year blamed on romaine lettuce grown in Yuma, Ariz., forced grocers to yank all romaine from their stores because they couldn’t tell where the lettuce they were selling came from. Now, Walmart is asking suppliers to start using blockchain technology so produce can be traced from farm to store. Walmart says blockchain can bring “open and transparent information to the food industry.”
- PETER KING
Newegg confirms hack
If you purchased items from online tech-products seller Newegg recently, keep a close watch on your credit card statements. Newegg said its servers were “injected with malware,” which may have allowed hackers to steal customers’ credit card data from mid-August until mid-September. Newegg said it is still trying to determine “exactly what info was obtained” and will contact customers who were potentially impacted.
- PETER KING
Baby boom
One of YouTube’s most popular independent brands has been bought by entertainment-industry veterans. Little Baby Bum — YouTube’s ninth most-watched channel — was bought by Moonbug, an agency started by former Walt Disney employee Rene Rechtman, for an estimated $7.8 million. Little Baby Bum’s nursery rhymes gives parents a safe space to distract toddlers at a time when disturbing children’s content is found elsewhere on YouTube.
-- Bloomberg News
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
