Triple Tri Blog

The Super Bowl was watched by more than 106 million people, surpassing the 1983 finale of "M*A*S*H" to become the most-watched program in television history.

The Nielsen Co. estimated Monday that 106.5 million people watched the New Orleans Saints upset the Indianapolis Colts. That beats the "M*A*S*H" finale, which had 105.97 million viewers in an era when there were fewer television sets.

Compelling story lines involving the city of New Orleans and its recovery from Hurricane Katrina and the quest for a second Super Bowl ring for Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning propelled the viewership.

The game also obliterated the previous record viewership for a Super Bowl -- last year's game between Arizona and Pittsburgh in which 98.7 million people watched.

That was likely welcome news among advertisers, who purchased nearly 48 minutes of ads for the game -- the most for any Super Bowl.

Research firm Kantar Media says the amount of ads that aired on CBS was nearly 3 minutes longer than last year's total, the previous record holder.

The game brought an unusual number of shorter, 15-second ads as marketers looked to keep their costs low but still be in the advertising world's biggest event.

Commercials typically come in 30-second blocks -- which sold this year for between $2.5 million and more than $3 million. But Kantar says seven of this year's 66 ads were just 15 seconds long. That's the most since 2002.

With the Super Bowl just around the corner (Sunday, 2/7) the folks at TreeHugger.com posted an interesting article looking at some stats and facts regarding the big game and what goes into planning the festivities.

WHO WILL BE WATCHING?

• 151.6 million: Number of people who will watch at least part of the game.
• 194 million: Approximate number of blades of grass on the football field.
• 232: Number of countries and territories in which the game will be broadcast.
• 34: Number of languages the game is broadcast in.
• 1: Number of languages in which the word "football" doesn't mean "soccer."

The ketchup packet has been around for more than 40 years, and complaints about it for nearly as long: too messy, too small, too hard to open. Now ketchup giant H.J. Heinz Co. is unveiling the first major packaging change to the to-go condiment.

The new design has a base that's more like a cup for dipping and also a tear-off end for squeezing, plus it holds three times as much ketchup than a traditional packet.

I haven't used ketchup on the go in a long time, mostly because I don't have anywhere to put it. I don't recall having difficulty opening a packet, but know a few who struggle mightily. The dipping feature should be a nice change, sort of like the dipping sauces for chicken nuggets at McDonalds. Even in that case, I don't get the sauce unless I am eating at the restaurant or at home. More mess in the car is a bad thing... and hey, we shouldn't be eating and driving either, right?

Jamaica's bid to have its bobsled team compete in this month's Olympics has come up short.

The list of nations who qualified and entered bobsled events at the Vancouver Games, obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press, failed to include Jamaica -- which had spent the last few weeks hoping that a slot opened in the field.

Those hopes were dashed, and on Wednesday, the Jamaicans acknowledged that all chance for 2010 was gone.

"We've been in battles for many, many years," Chris Stokes, a founding member of the Jamaican bobsled team more than 20 years ago, told The AP in a phone interview. "This is one more. But it's disappointing, no question about that. The guys worked really hard and did well. Not qualifying, it's by no means a failure. It's a step going forward."

Officials from the Vancouver organizing committee are in the process of certifying those entries. There remains a chance more nations could be added, but for that to happen a sled that has entered must drop out.

The Jamaicans say they're no longer waiting for that to happen.

It sounds like they aren't throwing the towel in all together, and plan to train and pull a team together for the next winter olympics. I'm all for the competition and for giving everyone an equal shot so I think it's great that they're out there pursuing this and wish them the best of luck in the future.

The world's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, emerged before chilly revelers in western Pennsylvania Tuesday to see his shadow, meaning winter will last another six weeks.

This thing is an absolute beast:

Need to cruise in style, but with celebrity-like security? Check out the Armor Horse Vault XXL ($150,000 and up). This beastly, Brinks-like armored limousine is built using UL-rated thermal & composite ballistic panels and bullet-resistant windows, and offers security features like dual emergency escape hatches that double as skylights, and dual emergency gun ports for fending off zombies attackers. Of course, it's still a limo, so it also offers the appropriate luxuries, including seating for up to 25 people, an L-shaped wet bar, a variety of LCD screens, a powerful stereo system, and even a retractable, neon-lit "entertainment" pole.

This could certainly change the outcome of the game:

Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney has a torn ligament in his right ankle that will make it difficult for him to play against the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV, a source familiar with the injury told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The Colts are maintaining that Freeney has a low ankle sprain, not a torn ligament, and that he is still questionable for the Super Bowl.

The drama of Super Bowl week has begun.

I'll admit it: while I like the look of some watches, I'm not a huge watch fan. In fact, I don't wear one myself. But if I did, I'd consider this slick watch from Diesel:

With a blue/black color scheme and multiple dials, the Diesel Time Zone Watch ($300) is a futuristic, cockpit-like timepiece for the frequent traveler. Sporting a traditional round body, the watch keeps track of time in up to four time zones, including a digital readout of the time in a specified zone, and finishes things off with a lightly textured leather strap.

This is not good:

Toyota's recall troubles continue to grow, with the total number of vehicles affected by two recalls involving gas pedals growing to at least 5.3 million.

The latest addition to the recalls was announced Wednesday, with 1.1 million vehicles added to the 4.2 million recalled in November to fix a problem in which the gas pedal can become caught on the edge of the removable floormat. That problem can cause the vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably.

The vehicles being added to the floormat-related recall are the 2008-2010 Highlander, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Venza, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe.

The vehicles originally included in the floormat-related recall were the 2007-2010 Toyota Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2004-2009 Prius, 2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Tundra and the 2007-2010 Lexus ES350, 2006-2010 IS250 and the 2006-2010 IS350.

It sometimes feels like people drive with the pedal stuck to the floormat, only in these cases, it actually happens on accident. Follow the link for the full article.

Placing third in Egypt's Pharaoh's Rally is no easy task, especially for a auto-making unit that recently switched ownership — but that's exactly what the QT Wildcat 500DKR ($TBA). Billed as a "full-blown rally raid machine," this mean off-roader is powered by a 4-liter Jaguar V8 good for 275hp, and features a fully ruggedized chassis, drivetrain, and electronics, including a high-strength steel space frame, a light weight composite body shell, larger dampers with coil over springs capable of handling more punishment than you're likely to dish out, and more.

This little truck looks like a real beast, in any situation. Can't imagine there's much that this guy can't handle... It'd be great to see some videos of this guy in action.

Caught this on Uncrate a few days ago, but didn't have a chance to post it until now. Swiss Army knives don't vary from the original much, but when they do, we usually get some pretty cool stuff. Check this one out:

Only the fourth model in the blade's 120-year history, the new Victorinox Swiss Army Soldier Knife ($45) is the best soldier-issue yet. The stylish olive green and black dual density handle holds a Phillips screwdriver, can opener, small screwdriver, bottle opener with locking screwdriver, wire stripper, reamer, seatbelt cutter, key ring, and wood saw, along with a large lock blade for one-hand opening.

This is certainly worth checking out:

Music for Relief has brought together an incredible album of artists who have all generously donated original songs to support the Haiti relief effort. Artists include: ALANIS MORISSETTE, THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, HOOBASTANK, KENNA, LINKIN PARK, LUPE FIASCO, PETER GABRIEL AND SLASH.

Now, we need your help: you can join in support of the immediate relief and long-term recovery process in Haiti by downloading songs at MUSICFORRELIEF.ORG and making a donation in any amount. Then, EMBED THE WIDGET on your Facebook or MySpace page, your blog, or your website…wherever you can spread the word. Every little bit helps.

100% of funds received will go directly to the Haiti efforts. In partnership with the UN Foundation’s Central Emergency Response Fund, Habitat for Humanity, and Dave Matthews BAMA Works Haitian relief efforts, Music for Relief is working to support immediate relief with food, water and emergency medical supplies as well as long-term sustainable housing solutions for the people affected by this catastrophic natural disaster.

Hop over to their website and have a look. You can get this great album and can donate to help the relief efforts in Haiti that desperately needs our help. Check it out.