5 Apps To Help You Catch The Olympics Fever

Let's face it: even if you're a crazy cricket fan, and even if sports for you starts and ends with the game of bat-and-ball, you'd still want to know how Team India is faring in the world's biggest sports arena: the 2012 Olympics. If you want to know whether Saina Nehwal has advanced to the finals in badminton, or if the Paes-Bhupathi pairing controversy has a happy ending, here are a few tools that will keep you in the thick of the action. In case you prefer playing games over watching sports, we've thrown in a few games too: all in the Olympic spirit!

 

Around The Rings – Olympic News
 Developer: Around The Rings \ AppedOn
Platforms: Android, iOS
Price: $2 (approx Rs 110) (iOS), Rs 55 (Android), Free on Samsung Apps
Rating: ?

If you want to keep a tab on everything related to the Olympics — not just the medal tally, but also news about what's happening at the games, this becomes a must-have app. You can view headlines, galleries, and updates based on every sport played at the event. The app's interface looks very clean and is easy to navigate around. Since Samsung is one of the official sponsors of theLondon 2012 games, the app is available free of cost in the Samsung Apps store. Click on the relevant platform name above to download the app.


Medals 2012
 Developer: EGC Services Ltd \ eGaming Consulting
Platforms: Android, iOS
Price: Free
Rating: ?

Most Indians don't really bother about watching the Olympics live — all we want to know (including me) is who won medals for the country. The Medals 2012 app is perfect for users who want none of the frills: it gives you a daily sports-wise chart for a maximum of three nations that you wish to follow. Simply click on your preferred game to check out the medal standings, game schedules, and the list of winners. Click on the relevant platform name above to download the app.

London 2012 – Official Mobile Game
 Developer: NEOWIZ Internet
Platforms: Android, iOS
Price: Free
Rating: ?

You'll probably never actually make it to the Olympics as a participant, but you might at least want to play as a world-class athlete. In that case, the Official London 2012 mobile game is worth checking out. The app lets you modify your player's appearance, and set his \  her nationality (sadly, India is not included in the list), train your athlete, and finally compete in nine Olympic events. These include 100M, 110M Hurdles (sprinting), Double Trap (shooting), Triple Jump, Pole Vault (athletics), 100m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly (swimming), Kayak (K1), and Archery. You can make in-app purchases for credit points to unlock more features and training packs. There is also a premium version available for both platforms, priced at Rs 75 for Android and $1 (~Rs 55) for iOS. Click on the relevant platform name above to download the app.

PlayUp - Where Sport Gets Social
Developer: PlayUp
Platforms: Android, iOS
Price: Free
Rating: ?

Since the event has been described as the "first Social Media Olympics", an app that lets you connect with your friends who enjoy similar sports is something that deserves a mention. You can access this social networking service through your PC as well as your Android or iOS devices. The PlayUp app lets you keep a tab on your favourite countries as well as the latest medal tally, as you chat with your friends along the way. Moreover, you don't have to manage a new social networking profile: this service lets you connect using your Facebook orTwitter credentials. Click on the relevant platform name above to download the app.


Hero Gaming Olympiad
 Developer: Zapak Digital Entertainment
Platforms: Various (browser-based, requires Flash support)
Price: Free
Rating: ?

If you're a casual gamer who prefers keyboard controls over a touch interface, this two-week long gaming olympiad is just the thing for you. You can play Field Hockey, Hurdles Run, King of the Ring (boxing), and Table Tennis Pro in your browser (as long as it supports Flash). Put your best foot forward — who knows, you just might win yourself a motorcycle as a prize. This is a good way to embody the Olympic slogan of "Faster, Higher, Stronger", especially if it wins you free stuff in the process!