http://cache.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/io9.com.png http://io9.com/tag/soccer http://io9.com/tag/soccer This new ad for Puma's v1.08 soccer boot freaks me out. In the year 2178, soccer players will have their legs ripped off and replaced with weird cyber-horse legs, so they can trot around and do kangaroo jumps for the amusement of their beer-swilling orthohuman masters. Until then, the ad says, the closest you can get to being a deformed cyber-beast athlete is to buy Puma's newest model. It's just the latest in a long line of freaky dystopian adverts.

]]> Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:00:23 PST charliejane http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=351993&view=rss&microfeed=true Adidas yesterday announced the rollout of a new space-age soccer ball that knows where it is. As it rolls around the soccer field, the smart ball uses a magnetic field to figure out its location — particularly when it's near the goal — and relays the data to the referee. No more analyzing footage to figure out what happened: Just ask the ball. That's great, but I want the ballcam, guys. I want to see what your balls see. Sorry, it had to be said. Photo by KEN SHIMIZU/AFP/Getty Images.

]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2007 10:06:02 PST Annalee Newitz http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=334117&view=rss&microfeed=true