Baseball season is here and both basketball and hockey are about to start the playoffs. It’s a great time for sports fans…and a busy one. To make things a bit easier, there are a variety of iPhone apps available to keep you updated on the quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup.
The NHL’s official app, GameCenter, is free in the App Store and compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Features will keep fans in the know: live scores and stats, “Ice Tracker” play-by-play, news, game photos, player profiles and real-time alerts sent to your phone. In the playoff spirit, a new update features round-by-round matchup and scores, and commentary from sportswriters. “My Hockey Team” is a similar app, but lets you customize it with your favorite team. It’s simple to use, but it will set you back…99 cents.
All eyes will be on the defending Cup champions, who barely edged into this season’s playoff race, the Chicago Blackhawks. Fans can download the free “Blackhawk Up” which gives up to the minute news, coverage and fan views/interaction.
For fans of the Philadelphia Flyers, last year’s Eastern Champs, “Flyers Goal Scored By” is an interactive (and free!) app. In addition to news and alerts sent to your phone, the fan-friendly app features fan-submitted photos, video and stories.
And it wouldn’t be hockey without the always-competitive Detroit Red Wings. The team’s official app steps up their mobile media game. It features an in-app Twitter feed, Facebook page, YouTube channel, team blog and player playlists – a look at the favorite songs of Red Wings players and links to purchase them via iTunes.
Of the 16 teams in the playoff’s first round, ten teams offer free apps, including the Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks, Montreal Canadiens and the New York Rangers. There are apps available, ranging from 99 cents to $3.99 for each team.
The NHL apps are still pretty basic for the iPhone, despite the playoff atmosphere. The hockey organization may want to take note for next season, though: MLB At Bat was the highest grossing paid app of 2010.
Download the free Appoliciouis iPhone app
