Liverpool announce Nokia App linkup.

Liverpool, fresh from the announcement of star striker Luis Suarez signing a new deal with the club also announced a new mobile phone app.The new features mean that Liverpool FC’s official app is still the best way to follow the club on a Nokia phone.

InfoMedia has developed the app for the Merseyside club, and will be developed with two clear models. Firstly a free app includes current and archived news, fixtures, results, league table positions, stadium / club information and player profiles. An enhanced, premium app also includes further options such as:

• Match Centre – minute by minute text commentary from every game, covering every development from goals and penalties to substitutions and bookings
• Exclusive club and player photos
• Video of the Week – for handsets that are compatible with video streaming - this includes highlights such as goals and exclusive interviews

Kathy Smith, mobile manager, Liverpool FC said: “We decided to develop for Nokia as we have such a large fan base in so many countries across the world.  Nokia handsets are massively popular in the territories where we have a large following.  We are really keen to reach the fans on the platforms they are using.”

Michael Tomlins, CEO, InfoMedia said: “Yet again, UK football clubs are leading the way when it comes to expanding consumer apps. It's clear that Liverpool FC understands that exploiting the diversity of platforms is a key channel in communicating its brand globally.”

InfoMedia has an established track record in apps for football clubs and delivering engaging apps and content to a huge array of platforms.The Northampton based company have created apps for the likes of Arsenal, Everton, Manchester United & Chelsea.

Barca poised for mobile expansion‏.

Barcelona is about to launch the latest addition to its mobile app range FCB Regal Shootout as it puts mobile at the core of its global expansion. The Catalan footballing giants announced the launch as it prepares to take on Chelsea in London this evening in the first leg of the UEFA Chamion’s League semi-final tie. It remains unclear as to just how FCB Regal Shootout will play out, as does the initial launch date, but the title makes it pretty clear what the theme will be. Just see below for a taster of what to expect.

 

In an interview with news site new media age  Didac Lee, Barcelona’s head of technology and member of its board of directors, said the launch was part of its ongoing FCB Apps programme.

“We have made an important commitment to becoming the leaders in the technological industry which is growing around the world of football,” he said.

“Just as Barça are a reference point on the pitch, so we want to become a technological reference point in the sporting world. That is being achieved through an ambitious programme called FCB Apps,” added Lee.

FCB Apps is open to mobile app developers who can sign up to the programme which lets them access exclusive club content – like images and updates like new club signings.

“We are very happy with the way this idea has been received: we are getting 2 to 3 proposals a day and we are sure that this will prove to be the best way to expand our catalogue of apps,” added Lee.

Apps already launched via the programme include: FC Barcelona Fantasy Manager, FCB Watch, FCB Live or FCB World Tap all of which can be downloaded from the App Store. The Champion’s League holders, who are attempting to emulate the AC Milan side of the early 90s by winning the competition in consecutive years, also sees 15% of its online traffic come from mobile phones.

The club launched its first mobile optimised site in February this year as part of a Google-led initiative ahead of the mobile industry trade conference Mobile World Congress, hosted in the city. The site itself was developed by design studio Psycle, which has offices in London and Barcelona itself, who helped launch mobile-optimised sites for over 26 different institutions around the Catalan capital.

From the usage statistics on the site which is written in three languages – Catalan, English & Spanish – it is mostly used by fiercely loyal locals. Mark Gristock, commercial director of Psycle, also told new media age that approximately 80% of the traffic to Barcelona’s mobile site came from within a 3Km radius of the club’s stadium Camp Nou. 

By Ronan Shields  

 

Premier League readies app to celebrate 20 years of the Premiership.

  
The app provides football fans around the world with a great new way to watch some of the most memorable moments from the Premier League’s history. Each of the 100 one-minute clips features a memorable highlight, including the first ever goal in the top flight, scored by Sheffield United's Brian Deane playing against Manchester United at the start of the 1992/93 season, and Wayne Rooney’s acrobatic overhead kick against Manchester City in the 2010/11 season. Other highlights include David Beckham’s famous goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996/97, Alan Shearer being recognised as the Premier League’s Player of the Decade in 2002. Total Digital Football also trawled Youtube for their favorite moments, the top 3 all available for your viewing pleasure. 


The app features at least five clips from every Premier League season. Each of the clips are also accompanied by a quiz question via an interactive ‘q’ button, as well as an opportunity to win Premier League prizes via competitions within the app. The launch of the app precedes the Premier League’s 20 Season Awards, the shortlist of which will be announced in mid-April, with an award ceremony at the end of the Premier League season in May. 


The Premier League 20 Seasons App was produced by the Premier League’s production partner IMG Media, part of IMG Worldwide and developed by Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), a Velti Company, a global mobile and technology solutions company. In November 2011 MIG was acquired by Velti, to create the world's leading mobile marketing and advertising company. 


Showing (some) bias Robin Van Persie's screamer against Charlton has to make the list. Superb technique and a outrageous shot, Hopefullly these should be in the App. 




Gurnsey's greatest footballer score's a absolute beauty against Blackburn, skillfully beating a few players before unleasing a 35 yard belting shot that nestles delightfully in the top corner.




Paulo Di Canio is currently making waves as manager of Swindon in League 2. But Back in 2000 his classy volley won the prestigious Match of the Day goal of the Season and cemented his reputation in Irons folklore.

Barca tie up with Google at the World Mobile Congress.

FC Barcelona launched a series of mobile apps and highlighted its mobile-compatible website through a tie-up with Google as the city hosted the largest mobile industry trade conference last week.The club aims to highlight its host city’s status as the global capital of both the beautiful game and the mobile industry by joining an initiative to promote the creation of mobile apps that improve the experience of watching or following a football match.

The initiative will operate under the FCB Apps programme and mobile app developers are invited to submit their proposals for mobile applications oriented towards football and sport in general according to the club.The proposals selected will qualify for financial aid and advice for development with the club agreeing to throw its considerable marketing muscle behind any such app.

Club officials said the company was taking part in the programme as almost a third of all weekly visitors to its Nou Camp stadium brought a smartphone with them and that it soon expected this to hit 100%.This programme is being overseen by the club’s director responsible for new technologies.

   

FC Barcelona also used the week-long conference, called  the Mobile World Congress, to promote its collaboration with Google as part of the US internet company’s GoMo project.

http://www.barcelonagomobile.com/en

The club’s website has been optimised to display properly when visited by smartphone users. It also has a suite of  mobile apps – and is part of a project designed to create web pages adapted specifically for mobile devices at 26 points of interest in the city of Barcelona. 

FC Barcelona’s website contains news and image galleries, videos plus supporters can purchase match day tickets directly from the site. Barcelona’s Lee said: “33% of people coming to the Camp Nou now have a smartphone and the number will soon be 100%.It is therefore very important for us to be present. We want everybody that has Barça in their heart to also have Barça in their pockets"

By Ronan Shields