National Football League teams will use Microsoft Corporation technology to review plays by opposing teams on Microsoft Surface tablets.

Microsoft and the NFL have jointly developed a "Sideline Viewing System." The system lets NFL coaches and players digitally review other teams using the Surface tablets.

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Previously, coaches and players used printed photographs to review game plays.

Using Surface tablets on the sidelines is a significant change in NFL regulations.

This is first time the NFL has made legal the use of electronic devices during games. Surface tablets were used for the first time at a Hall of Fame game exhibition between the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills on August 3.

The NFL will  own and operate the tablets. It will provide each team with 25 tablets per game: 13 tablets for the sidelines and the other 12 tablets for the coaches' box.

The NFL is cautious about preventing any form of cheating using the new technology.

These 25 tablets are locked in a cabinet between games. In case of controversial plays, game officials have access to printers that will output the images they need.

It takes between 20 to 30 seconds to print the photos sent to coaches while using the Surface tablets takes only four seconds.

The new system lets coaches arrange up to four photos at once. Coaches can also draw on the photos and bookmark them for future reference.

NFL spent US$400 million for the new high tech system.

TagsNFL, national football league, Surface tablets, Microsoft Surface tablet, Tech, gadget, Sports, Football