Microsoft’s partnership with the National Football League in the US has hit another snag after a fleet of Surface Pro 2 tablets were disconnected during a game.
The tablets used by the Denver Broncos were rendered unusable due to connectivity issues during the Conference Final against the New England Patriots this morning Australian time.
The devices are restricted to using a single photo-app for coaches and players to review plays in real-time on the sideline. For security purposes, the tablets are connected to a dedicated private wireless network, which was the source of the problem.
Microsoft wasn’t helped at all by NFL commentators who called out the problem live on air. CBS reporter Evan Washburn announced on broadcast: "They're having some trouble with their Microsoft Surface tablets… A lot of frustration that they didn't have them on that last possession."
A Microsoft spokesperson told The Verge that the tablets were working again after 20 minutes and that it was a connectivity issue rather than hardware.
"Our team on the field has confirmed the issue was not related to the tablets themselves but rather an issue with the network,” said the spokesperson.
“We worked with our partners who manage the network to ensure the issue was resolved quickly."
Microsoft has had a shaky history with the NFL since signing a major sponsorship deal in 2013, a deal worth US$400 million according to The Verge.
Commentators have been cautioned for referring to the Surface Pros as iPads on-air. There have also been multiple instances of players damaging tablets on the sidelines out of frustration.
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