NFL Ditches Polaroids for Waterproof Surface Pro 2 Tablets

The NFL sidelines are getting a much-needed tech upgrade with teams ditching traditional polaroid snaps for customized NFL approved waterproof Microsoft Surface Pro 2 tablets.

According to TechCrunch, Microsoft has entered into a $400 million multi-year deal with the Football league to provide modified Microsoft Surface Tablets that will be used by coaching staff from the sidelines.

The tablets are under the ownership of the NFL, says the SFGate. The Sideline Viewing System will replace the old-school black-and-white photos used by teams to study opponents and usher in a new digital photo system.

The tablets will be stored in temperature controlled carts to prevent tampering and re-programming and will be handed out prior to kickoff. Each team will be provided 13 field-ready tablets with 12 more available in the coaches box. The tablets are heavily protected and are waterproof but don't have capacities for internet access or video playback. This will enable teams to get quicker images along with basic tablet computing features such as zooming, surface drawing and more.

"These [Surfaces] are owned and operated by the NFL, meaning the teams don't have access to these," explained Microsoft public relations manager Ryan Luckin via IGN. "They come out just before the game. They're put away in a specialized temperature controlled cart that we built with the NFL and they're locked up the entire week.

As it stands, teams use polaroid photos, fax machines and printers to get physical, updated birds-eye view photographs of their opponent for strategic defensive and offensive planning.

The Microsoft Surface tablets will make their debut during Sunday night's Hall of Fame Game between the New York Giants and the Buffalo Bills. This is the first NFL sanctioned electronic device allowed on the field during game time.

"We think it's an opportunity to use technology to improve the game on the field," said NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy, as quoted by the SFGate.

Microsoft sees potential in the partnership with their technology allowing players to be "a bit more efficient, a bit more productive," said Microsoft to IGN.

"Typically you're looking at something that would take 20-30 seconds to get those paper printouts into the hands of players, into the hands of coaches. We've got that down to four or five seconds. That's a tangible amount of time that players and coaches can look at these images, find out key aspects, and make adjustments to the game before they go back on the field. I really think [it's] going to change the competitive landscape in a good way: letting teams be a bit more competitive."