Scrabble board packs RFID technology, broadcasts tournaments online in real-time, costs 20,000 pounds

Used to be, the Scrabble app was the techiest way to play the venerable vocabulary game, but the folks at Mind Sports have given the analog version some serious geek cred. In preparation for the Prague Mind Sports Festival, the organizers spent £20,000 building a Scrabble board with integrated RGB controlled LED lighting, nine embedded circuit boards and 225 RFID antennas (one per square). Plus, special game pieces were crafted containing RFID tags. Why? Well, the wireless tech combined with some purpose-built software lets tournament organizers broadcast games online in real-time -- the system reads the board in a mere 974 miliseconds. Those wishing to see the ultimate Scrabble system in action can do so when the tournament starts on December 1st, and there's more info in the PR after the break.

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Scrabble board packs RFID technology, broadcasts tournaments online in real-time, costs 20,000 pounds originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.