Top Mobile Apps

There Should Be An App For That - Rugby League Live Scores

2010-11-01T22:44:00.001+00:00

Each week we plan to look into ideas that would make a great app, but hasn't yet been implemented. If you think of an idea which you would like us to feature, tweet us at @TopMobApps or like us on Facebook and let us know.

This week, we are featuring a topic close to our heart, a rugby league live scores app. As passionate rugby league fans, we regularly search the app stores and markets for that rugby league app which will bring us the latest scores straight to our mobile device.

To date, simply doing a broad search for "rugby league" on your iPhone or Android device will not yield any meaningful live scores apps, let alone rugby league apps. Yes, if you are an Aussie then there are a couple of NRL live scores apps on the iPhone which will do the job, but for people in the Northern Hemisphere, there is very little available. A couple of clubs have got their own apps on the iPhone, namely Hull KR and Bradford, however these only offer news updates. With the popularity of the Engage Super League increasing every year, you would have expected a live scores application of some description to be present.

On Android there is an app called 'Mobile Sports News (Sky)' which ironically points you to the rugby league scores section of the BBC Sport website when clicking on the rugby league live scores link within the app. Not exactly what we would call a pure app, and the user interface is a bit clumsy as it's obviously not built as an app.

So what are we all searching for? A rugby league app which is kept up to date with the latest scores on a match day, just like the numerous football live scores applications that are already available. Perhaps there isn't the demand to build such an application? Although we are led to believe that at least one existing news website is currently developing an application for iPhone and potentially Android. This would certainly be welcomed by the rugby league community, especially if such an app provides comprehensive news coverage as well.

So is the data out there? Most certainly yes! The governing body for the game, the RFL, run a live scores system, as does Sky Sports, BBC Sport, Sporting Life, and Last Tackle (to name a few). The Engage Super League and Co-operative Championships have in depth live scores covered by the sites mentioned so we don't believe creating a mobile app would be such a big task for one of these brands.

We wait in anticipation to see if a mobile app does surface and will update you when we get more information. If you know of an app which does provide comprehensive live scores coverage (that we've missed!), have some cool ideas for a rugby league application, or are developing a rugby league live app, then let us know by commenting below!

Five "Can't Live Without" iPhone Apps

2010-11-01T19:48:00.001+00:00

We're all different, and our varying wants and needs can be reflected by the make-up of our iPhones or iPads. Apps enable us to check the news, interact using social media and play games on the move, and as such, there is something for everybody. Here are five of my "can't live without" apps, what are yours?

1. Facebook

Fine, I'll admit it. Facebook has taken over my life. And so, it has a prominent position on the main screen of my iPhone. Whether it be uploading a picture you've just taken, checking out (OK stalking) your friends, posting and replying to messages, the Facebook app is a great way to pass a bit of time while your travel, and also means the social media world is always at your fingertips.

2. Echofon

Twitter has a lot to answer for. In fact, during its recent API changes, I came across Echofon, having previously been using Twitterific, which I ditched when they failed to update the app quick enough following the changes. Able to manage multiple accounts, Echofon is perfect for frequent users, enabling you to tweet on the fly, attach photos and videos, as well as keep up with the world of twitter. If your selection of followers is good enough, you won't even need apps for things such as SKY News and BBC, because you can keep up with absolutely everything through this Twitter app.

3. Foursquare

Foursquare itself has become a little redundant thanks to the introduction of Facebook places, and has probably fallen down the list of many app users. However, I use foursquare to track every sporting event I go to, checking in at all venues, and as a prolific social media user, its link-up with Facebook and Twitter ticks all the boxes for me. They've got their work cut out to ensure that the app retains its attraction going forward, though.

4. FallDown

The only problem with games is that it gets to a stage where you overplay it, and it becomes impossible to match your established record. I appear to have got to that stage with Fall Down recently, but there was a time where every minute of every journey was spent trying to get a ball through a maze before the screen caught up with it. The most simplest games are often the best, especially with apps, and this one certainly is worth getting.

5. SKY Sports Football Score Centre

Years ago, it required you zapping through several pages on Ceefax, but now checking the football scores, around the clock, couldn't be any easier thanks to this app. Select your favourite club, and have their scores appear by default, and you can search through SKY's vast array of leagues covered to check how your Fantasy Football team is progressing, or how your rivals are shaping up.

But everybody is different. What are your five "can't live without" apps?

Top 5 iPad Game Apps

2010-10-27T00:15:00.002+01:00

The iPad is an excellent device with its 9.7" screen that makes it perfect for playing visually stunning games. Most of the games featured on the iPad are remastered iPhone versions, but the extra screen space make these games look particularly beautiful. Here is a list of our top 5 game apps for iPad:

5. Snooker HD

Snooker HD is a realistic snooker simulation which looks quite brilliant on the iPad. There is an iPhone version, however the small screen made it quite difficult to play easily and comfortably. Those issues are completely removed thanks to the iPad's large screen, meaning playing this game is a joy.

Whilst overall the physics behind the game are very impressive, on the odd occasion you can find yourself taking quite a while to line up a shot so it's just right. The only other niggle is that the table seems very slow, a little bit more roll on the balls would be welcomed to make it that bit more realistic.

You can play in tournament mode where you have to beat 8 players to be crowned champion. You can also play in single player mode or against a friend in 2 player mode. Despite it's minor quirks, Snooker HD is a must have game which could quite easily keep you entertained for hours.

Price: £2.99
Our Rating: 4/5

4. Airport Mania HD

The object of the game is quite simple. You act as an air traffic controller and you must manage increasingly busy airports as the game progresses.

Initially life starts off easy by simply guiding planes into land, assigning them to a gate, and instructing them to take off once fully loaded. However as the game develops, you must also manage refuelling, repairs, multiple runways and various plane types whilst keeping the planes happy and on time.

Whilst it is a challenging game and there is a lot of fun to be had, it can seem a little bit repetitive and slow in the early stages. If you want to try it out then download the free 'lite' version although it's certainly good enough to justify £1.19 spend on the full version.

Price: Free for lite, £1.19 for full version
Our Rating: 4/5

3. Flight Control HD

Similar to Airport Mania in that you are controlling aircraft, however this time it is purely the arrivals of aircraft at multiple airports.

The aim is to draw a path from a plane to the runway of the same colour in order to successfully complete the landing. The challenge you are faced with is to ensure safe landings are carried out without planes crashing into each other. It gets harder as time progresses with multiple planes appear on screen requiring orders the same time, planes crossing each others paths and the fact that the planes travel at different speeds.

You will find yourself frantically drawing new paths for planes that are about to collide and when you get to this stage, you know the end is near. It's only a matter of time until a crash happens, but you have a damn good time prior to that point.

The only downside is that the app is £2.99 and you can play an almost identical game in Harbour Master for free. The only real difference with Harbour Master is that it's with boats and not planes! This is still a highly addictive game which you will find hard to put down. Oh and did we mention there are 3D levels included?!

Price: £2.99
Our Rating: 4/5 (loses a mark because an almost identical game in Harbour Master is free)

2. Plants v Zombies HD

Quite simply a brilliant game that will take up a huge amount of time if you let it. At £5.99, it is the most expensive app in this list, but the hugely popular tower defence game is as brilliant on iPad as on PC, Mac and Xbox 360.

The object is to protect your house from the incoming zombies by using a variety of different plants as a defence. New plants are constantly unlocked and there are 17 achievements to unlock as well as 18 mini-games. All 50 levels of the adventure mode are included as well as survival and quick play modes. The multi touch capabilities of the iPad allow for up to 11 zombies to be selected at one time which is necessary when using certain plants as weapons.

Visually the game is brilliant. The game play is superb and it's incredibly easy to get the hang of. Some might be put off by the high price tag, but it certainly is worth it and the sheer depth of the game justifies the cost.

Price: £5.99
Our Rating: 5/5

1. Angry Birds

Addictive and brilliant whilst also been frustrating, Angry Birds is simply an iconic game. The iPhone version was a phenomenal hit and needless to say, this version is just stunning on the large iPad screen.

The background story is that a group of evil pigs have taken eggs that belong to a flock of birds. The pigs have taken shelter in structures made from various materials such as wood, glass and stone. The aim is to slingshot the birds into the structure so it ultimately collapses and eliminates the pigs. The level is cleared once all the pigs have been eliminated.

A variety of different birds are made available in each level, each of them having their own unique capabilities. Once the level is cleared, a star rating is awarded based upon how well the level is completed and how many unused birds remain.

The vast number of levels and the quest to achieve 3 star status on every level means you could play this game until the cows come home. Quite simply, this app should exist on every iPad.

Price: £2.99
Our Rating: 5/5

Are your top 5 games different to ours? Comment on this post and let us know your top 5!