Tomorrow in South Africa 2010’s version of the world’s greatest sports event, the World Cup, will kickoff. A few days back I asked my colleagues here on JAiB if we could perhaps get together a roundup of iPhone World Cup apps to share with our lovely readers. It turns out (with a few exceptions) they are a bunch of sporting philistines who care nothing for The Beautiful Game and its spectacular quadrennial gathering to find football’s world champion.
So I’ll offer up a short list of my own – of a handful of World Cup apps for the iPhone that may help you capture the spirit of this superb event.
Here’s my little list, starting with a surprise entry for the overall best iPhone reference source on the 2010 World Cup:
ESPN 2010 FIFA World Cup
I say this is a surprising one because the US is famous for its failure to embrace soccer/football as a major sport. I really expected to see the BBC or someone in Europe to produce a great World Cup app – and maybe someone has and I just haven’t spotted it yet.
In any case, ESPN has done a great job with this app – it’s full of all you need to follow this year’s event and to enjoy learning (or refreshing your memory on) the history of the tournament and past stars who have lit it up. I did a mini-review of this app a few months back, which you can find here: http://isource.com/iphone-application-reviews/quick-look-espn-2010-world-cup/
Here’s some details on the app’s many strong features:
The ESPN 2010 FIFA World Cup app features:
* Live scores
* Tournament stats and tables, including bracket view
* Exclusive US and global news and analysis from ESPN and ESPNsoccernet
* Full tournament schedule
* Extensive profiles of all 32 teams and the world’s top footballers
* Free ESPN original video vignettes profiling all 32 teams
* Group news and profiles
* Personalization “ select your teams and show your support!
* Stream national anthems for all 32 World Cup teams!
* World Cup tournament history dating back to 1930
* Profiles of all 10 host venues
* Fantasy Bracket Predictor “ put your knowledge to the test and choose next year ‘s World Cup champions
* Map modes “ find every team on the globe and to explore all 10 South African venues
* Soccer Power Index: Check out exclusive rankings of the top 100 FIFA teams. Track the biggest movers of the month, compare against FIFA rankings and see how your favorite team measures up
* Share favorite teams, news articles, and comments via Facebook, Twitter, and EmailFor a single in-app purchase of $7.99, get all of the following exclusive features:
* Live ESPN radio streams of all 64 matches
* In-game video highlights delivered within minutes of real-time, including goals, shots, saves, bookings, and other key events for all 64 matches
* Video recaps, studio analysis, and original features from ESPN’s coverage team in South Africa
* Premium alerts, including breaking news alerts, game alerts, and customizable team alerts for all squads
* Live play-by-play commentary from ESPN’s editorial team, detailed stats, and field visualizations of every game
Price: Free
Footy Pubs 2010
If I was still living in the UK, this one would be an essential, and I’d also have no voice left by Sunday. š
Get directions to all the pubs and bars showing the World Cup football in South Africa, as well as amazing money saving World Cup footy offers for you and your friends at pubs up and down the country.
iTunes link (UK Store)
Price: Free
VoodooProof Football
Definitely the weirdest World Cup app I’ve seen so far – but maybe worth a try if your team’s first couple results don’t go so well. š
Football is Voodoo!
32 teams and one goal: champion in South Africa! Some people believe, that it takes physical strength, tactics or perfect technique to become world football champion. But the truth is it takes more than that! Why does the ball only hit the post in the after time? Why did we loose the penalty shootout? Why does the key player get injured right before the most important match? And how could that 35 m distance shot exactly fit in the right angle? The answer is football voodoo!
Price: $2.99
FootballStars
THE BEST PHOTOS, THE BEST FOOTBALLERS
Photographs of your football idols in the palm of your hand!
-200 spectacular images of the best footballers on the planet.
-Possibility of searching for photos by footballer name, country or position on the pitch.
-Option of saving photos on your iPhone or iPod touch.Includes photos of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Etoo ‘o, Ronaldinho, Drogba, Ballack, Beckham, Zidane, Figo and up to 200 names in world football.
Price: $0.99
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And now my two big favorites
Flick Football
This is great stuff. Very simple and huge fun. Just swipe to try to score with a free kick. It’s got various modes, the ability to share your scores, and even some great sound effects with a match commentator’s reactions to your efforts. Oh, and you can choose which country to be – just for example, you could choose England and pretend you can bend it like you know who.
The most addictive flick soccer game ever is currently in the Top 5 Sports Game in the UK. Buy this new version and you get special iPad version as well! Also includes two new addictive game modes.
Swipe your finger to curve the ball around the wall. It ‘s simple to play, but a real challenge to master and you ‘ll be totally addicted to it. Especially the new ‘The Big Game ‘ mode, where you have three lives and you need to score as many points as possible.
Price: $0.99
World Cup Trivia Challenge
I saved the best for last. I love this game. It has a unique and gripping approach and is steeped in World Cup trivia, facts, and nostalgia. I’ve reviewed and raved about this one before – you can see that here: http://isource.com/iphone-application-reviews/need-england-to-win-the-world-cup-in-2010-theres-an-app-for-that/
World Cup Trivia Challenge is a football/soccer trivia game with a unique gameplay especially developed to recreate the excitement of World Cup football in trivia form.
WCTC Features:
– Totally original, groundbreaking gameplay
– Over 650 questions (and counting) written exclusively for WCTC
In English, Spanish and Swedish– Compete against 60 of the top footballing nations in the world
– Real Sounds from real football games
– 3 Different Game Modes
Price: $1.99
Ok – that’s it for my mini-roundup. I know there are quite a few other World Cup apps out there. If you’ve got other recommendations and thoughts on any, please share in the comments.
I’ll be in a good local pub on Saturday shouting and singing for England – where will you be?
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TAGS: iphone apps
