Here are three great iPhone apps to start the weekend off right. The Ryder Cup golf tournament kicks off today, and the official app can keep you updated on all the action (including live video) as U.S. battles Europe. Want more sports? Check out Sports Stream for a social take on watching the game. Finally, we’ve got Bad Piggies, the follow-up to Angry Birds from Rovio in which you get to help the pigs out this time. Oink.
2012 Ryder Cup (Free)
What’s it about? Kicking off today from Medinah, IL, you can follow all the action with the official 2012 Ryder Cup app.
What’s cool? Optimized for both iOS 6 and the new iPhone 5, you can watch the golf tournament directly from your device or listen to radio commentary. The app offers news, video highlights, team and player bios, a course tour with photos and fly-overs and customizable push notifications.
Who is it for? Clearly, fans of golf are going to be thrilled about this app. The ability to watch the tournament live via streaming video is very welcome, especially if you happen to be out and about this weekend or away from a TV for an extended period of time. Even casual fans will appreciate the news and quick access to scores.
What’s it like? Other great golf apps include the official PGA Tour offering which keeps you up-to-date with all the latest tournament news. Or, check out Golf Channel with its leaderboards, news and analysis.
SportStream for iPhone (Free)
What’s it about? SportStream is the modern way to get your fix of sports news. An iPad version is also available.
What’s cool? With SportStream, fans get game specific stats, injury updates, commentary and sideline reports all sourced through social media from vetted sports personalities and known experts. You can connect with fellow fans and join the conversation about your favorite games. Also, the app offers notifications when the action heats up or your favorite team takes the field.
Who is it for? Sports fans who prefer to be a bit more proactive, rather than just sitting around watching, will get something out of SportStream. It truly lets your voice get heard, which many sports fan very much enjoy. Because it’s so focused, you’ll only see the best tweets between fans, foes and pundits.
What’s it like? The app is not dissimilar to SportCaster which enables you to see the latest tweets and commentary as you watch your favorite team live. You may want to check out SportsYapper or PlayUp, too
Bad Piggies ($0.99)
What’s it about? Oink. Rovio is back with a follow up to their enormously successful Angry Birds, and this time the tables are turned and you get to play as the pigs instead.
What’s cool? Everyone loves being the baddie now and again, so that’s what makes Bad Piggies so cool. In these physics-based puzzles, you’ll need to use a grid and a pre-set group of items to build your own quirky, out-of-the-box vehicle for the pigs to ride in. Can you help the piggies reach safety? There are 60 levels full of flying, driving, crashing fun and 30 additional puzzles unlocked by obtaining three stars.
Who is it for? Fans of Angry Birds have possibly tired of the updates to the previous games which don’t really change things up too much. Admittedly, Angry Birds Space took things to new heights (sorry), but Bad Piggies is even more original and breathes life into the aging franchise. Fans of physics-puzzlers should look no further – Rovio do this stuff brilliantly: it’s tough while being completely accessible for casual gamers.
What’s it like? Apart from the Angry Birds series, Rovio’s Amazing Alex contains some tricky puzzle/construction puzzles which no doubt had an influence on the development of Bad Piggies. An iPad-optimized HD version is available, too.
