The playing field for mobile apps expanded in 2010 with the introduction of the iPad. The 9.7-inch screen of Apple’s iconic device provides for better video viewing while on the go. The iPad is also great for checking scores and managing your fantasy team as you watch the games on television.
No matter the screen size, mobile apps are becoming an increasingly important part of the sports consumption playbook. Here is our lineup of the 10 best iPhone and iPad apps of 2010.
1) MLB.com at Bat 2010 ($14.99)
Leading off our list is this perennial champion developed by Major League Baseball. MLB.com at Bat pioneered the practice of transmitting live video and audio broadcasts of nearly every league game when it debuted this app last year. The 2010 roster of additional features included the ability to select home and away live broadcast feeds, searchable and enhanced video and Spring Training statistics.
While video feeds for most of the games require a subscription to MLB.com (in addition to the in-season $14.99 download cost), audio feeds and stats are included. In addition to being available for the iPhone, versions of MLB.com at Bat 2010 tailored to the iPad and Android-based devices can also be downloaded separately.
Fans of the NFL shouldn’t feel deprived. DIRECTV subscribers who pay for extra for all games can download the free NFL Sunday Ticket app, while hoops fans can drive the digital lane with the $9.99 NBA League Pass Mobile (which also requires a subscription).
2) NFL.com Game Center ($4.99)
Not everybody can shell out several hundred dollars for all the games. And the more affluent among us might not be able to access DIRECTV. Accordingly, the NFL also offers this league-sanctioned app which includes Red Zone audio highlights, customized team alerts, and video press conferences.
3) The Shaq app ($1.99)
Like the Internet, mobile media removes the filter that separates star athletes from their fans. Ray Lewis, Terrell Owens and his ubiquitous partner-in-crime Chad Ochocinco all released official iPhone and iPad apps this year. Yet it was the Boston Celtics new man in the middle Shaquille O’Neil who takes home the prize with this title, which arguably beats his play on the court. The app tracks Shaqdaddy’s Facebook and Twitter feeds, and also includes videos, pictures, and words of wisdom from the five-time NBA champion.
4) Yahoo! Sportacular (Free)
Personalized news and information on the go from the team at Yahoo! Sports. What else can you ask for? There’s even a pro version for two bucks that bypasses all the ads.
5) Golfplan with Paul Azinger (99 cents)
Why not bring along tips and insight from a Ryder Cup champion the next time you hit the links? The app includes personalized instructions based on your skill level through custom videos and Golfshot game statistics.
6) Vans Live (Free)
When you are not surfing the web on your iPhone you can access wave-by-wave coverage of Vans Triple Crown of Surfing in Oahu and other splashy events. This is a fun app to have in your pocket on a cold January day.
7) Fan Misery (Free)
Seemingly made for Cleveland residents, this fun and humorous app calculates a “Fan Misery Index” that incorporates information ranging from the price of a team’s ticket to its performance on the field. The app also provides team-specific statistics and opinions from other fans. While Fan Misery is free to download, in-app purchases are required to access information from most teams.
8) TweetQB (99 cents)
Several apps are designed to check out scores on the fly, while others allow you to share your feelings about the game results via Twitter. This 99-cent app does a very good job doing both tasks in one place.
9) CoachPad ($4.99)
No more drawing plays out with your finger in the dirt with this iPad app, which lets users sketch out and save plays for virtually every team sport. The app allows you to save formations, import photo backgrounds and even rub out mistakes. Equally suitable for Phil Jackson as it is for you coaching your kid’s basketball team.
10) Vuvuzela 2010 (Free)
Finally, no 2010 retrospective list can be complete without recalling the great Vuvuzela craze during the FIFA World Cup Championships. The African trumpet, which provided a buzzed background to each game, is now digitally captured for the ages with this and scores of other similar iPhone apps that piggy-backed of the phenomenon. Use selectively, however, or risk being punched in the nose by your spouse or office mate.
