The best apps for experiencing the 2012 Olympic Games
The Olympics: There’s an app for that.
Our athletes have come a long way in the four years since the last Olympic Games and so has the Internet. Fans are much more likely to be equipped with smart phones this summer than they were in 2008. With advances in technology, comes a more enhanced level of participation for Olympic enthusiasts both in and out of London.
The team at Netted by the Webbys set out to sift through the heap of apps that are springing up ahead of the Olympics and narrow them down to a list that could win a gold medal in user satisfaction.
“Over the past year or two, we’ve really seen a general viewing experience enhanced by social media and the internet,” David-Michel Davies, the executive director of Netted and the Webby Awards, told Metro. “Nothing is more exciting with that than really big live events.”
The last Super Bowl is a perfect example of how crucial the internet has become to fans during their live experience, Davies explained. The most ever tweets per second were recorded during the game. With the Olympics being the “Super Bowl of the world,” as he put it, the digital experience will prove to have its biggest impact on fans yet.
Check out this list for the essential Olympic apps you need to download now.
London 2012: Official Results App
As the official app for the Olympics, users can find results, live updates, schedules, medal tables and athlete profiles. It can also be tailored to provide info and official news on specific countries. Bonus: It’s available on all smartphones and it’s free.
NBC Olympics Live Extra
A revolutionary advancement in apps, this one allows users to view live streaming footage of the Olympics with replays and push notifications for event start times. It’s only available in the U.S. on Android, iPhones and iPads.
BBC Facebook and Apps
Where better to experience the happenings in London than the U.K.’s leading news source? The BBC’s social networks and apps are best for people attending the games, as they’re only available in the U.K.
London 2012 Live Wallpaper
This fun app enables users to download the London Skyline and @London2012 tweets creatively displayed in the background. Reviews for the app have been overwhelmingly positive so far. The downside? It’s only available on Android.
ESPN Sport by Sport Rules
Looking for an education in Olympic sports before you set out to follow them? This site offers rules for every Olympic competition, important moments in history for the sport and profiles for star athletes.
Facebook Olympics Hub
Isn’t it nice when you can find everything you need in one place? This Facebook page features athlete profiles and a rundown of teams, sports, and events — all easily sharable information.
Tweetheletes
A quirky twist to experiencing the Olympics, this app lets users “race” athletes participating in the 100 meters. Since one tweet is about 2.5 cm high, users are encouraged to send the 4,000 tweets needed to cover that space in the time it takes the athletes to run it. Hurry up and download it — race day is August 5.
If you’re looking for authentic photos from behind the scenes at the games or from the middle of all the excitement, look no further than these photo-sharing options. These two sites will have crowd-sourced photos of the games.
London_2012
If you’re a visual person, you’ll love this app that offers a comprehensive collection of videos from the Olympic Games. Connect with other fans through the app’s chat rooms. However, this app is available only on iPhones and iPads.
Shazaam
You know this app by its ability to decipher a song that’s playing when you can’t quite remember the title. For the games, though, this app will let you unlock additional coverage during the Olympic broadcast.
2012 Summer Games Offline
What makes this app great is that once it’s downloaded on your smartphone, you can use it any time, whether or not you have cell service on your phone. It’s perfect for travelers coming to London for the games, who may not have international data plans enabled. For just 99 cents, it provides schedules, information on events and venues and key basics on Olympic sports.
Trust your peers through reviews on this site that lets you keep your options open when it comes to your plans in London. You can easily find what you need based on your schedule and location. It’s perfect for choosing activities that let you maximize your free time during the games (if you have any!).
Fitocracy
Watching the world’s most athletic people compete at the international level might just be the inspiration you need to get in shape. This website can help you do just that by offering features that motivate you to train like an Olympian.
