The App Olympics!
Elle Holgate on Newsletter, 1 August 2012
When Tim Berners-Lee was honoured at the opening ceremony for London 2012 we were delighted. Acknowledgement of how much the digital industry has contributed to the British culture and economy is, we think, never a bad thing. So in celebration of London 2012 and all things digital we decided to give our our own gold, silver and bronze to Olympic apps that deserve their moment in the spotlight.
Bronze
iOS, Android, Blackberry
Free
As its summer holidays and its the UK some parents might feel it an Olympian effort to just keep the children quiet and happy, even if you have coveted tickets to one of the games. That’s why we’ve awarded Bronze to the official London 2012 Game app. The official site says the game includes “Archery, Double Trap Shooting, 110m Hurdles and Swimming, in authentic London 2012 venues. Easy to play but difficult to master!” Its not the most excitingly designed app in the world but is fun to play and gets one into the spirit of things, even if the only exercise it offers is for the thumbs and index.
Silver
Android, iOS, Blackberry
Free
For those of us who’s interest in sports tends towards the mild-to-snooze levels the official London 2012 app ‘Join-In’ offers a welcome array of ways to feel a part of the games and events going on around them even if the most athletic thing you’ll watch this summer is your other half reaching for the remote. Your faithfull Vexed blogger is one of these said sports event-phobes while at the same time keen to capitalise on the wealth of free events around town and this app is as good as it gets. The app boasts “all the cultural, city and community celebrations happening across the UK” all in a nice, handy pin drop map and timetable, hence its our Silver winner.
Gold
Free
iOS, Android and Blackberry
Excellent app for iOS and Android that offers live text commentary, news, stories, full guide and more. Already at half a million downloads the app is a one-stop-shop for keeping up to date on results and making sure you don’t miss any must-see games. iOS users get the added feature of personalization of the app, so as to tailor the app to show only what interests you which is clever. All in the familiar, and now familiarly well laid out, digital content the BBC are getting so good at delivering. Well Done Beeb.
Disqualification
OK, OK, its not actually an app but we couldn’t resist mentioning official burger ‘n’ heart attack-purveyor of London 2012, McDonalds, who have invited the scorn of many with news that Happy Meals will be giving out pedometers with every kid-friendly meal. Arguable not a bad idea on first glance, however some feel that the chain – known for its highly fattening and problematic array of foodstuffs aimed at young people – shouldn’t be an official sponsor of an event all about health and fitness. They feel the inclusion of a pedometer in a Happy Meal smarts of a manipulative marketing message that implies it doesn’t matter to your health how much junk food you consume as long as you’re mildly active. What are you thoughts?
Let us know @futureplatforms where we’ll be asking for feedback on all London 2012 news throughout the games.