Mobile Application Review – Australian Open
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By Dan Marley, Lead Researcher, fhios, www.fhios.com
What is it?
Australian Open
Purpose?
Provide the ability for users to keep track of results and news from the Australian Open 2010.
Download?
Free. Does not require Wi-Fi connectivity
Overview
This application has received good reviews on the application store and generally is seen to have few faults.
So what does it do?
The functionality and navigation on this application is very straightforward, providing the ability to view:
• Live Scores
• Tournament Schedule
• Latest News
• Up to date Draws
• Player info
• Event Guide
• Ground maps
• Player tweets
• Latest Photos
The easy to use main menu provides clear access to the different options available through use of clear intuitive icons.
The ‘Scores’ section provides users with scores of live matches or completed matches. The former enables users to watch point by point progress of a match. Note: the scores update every 30 seconds; when this was initially compared with watching the same match live, (through the BBC website), the scores were seen to be in sync with the live footage. The refresh rate of the BBC was also a lot slower than the Australian Open app, on occasion it was seen to be 2 games behind the Australian Open app live scores.
Completed matches clearly displays the winner of each match by use of a tick. However, there is no ability to link through to a match report; this would be a useful addition.
‘Schedule’ enables the user to view the schedule of play on a day to day basis. This provides results on days that have been completed and also the line up for the forthcoming day. The time of matches, which round it is, and seeds of players are clearly displayed. It could be made more salient which day has been selected within the top menu.
‘Draws’ differs in that it presents the full draw for each event, e.g. Men’s Singles. However, moving between different sections of the draw requires nimble fingers and can be slightly frustrating . However, the main frustration is there is no ability to drag and move the draw to view different sections. This can only be done by selecting the required section in the overview map at the top and thus without the drag and move functionality the feeling of a dynamic full draw is lost.
Access to player bios is easily accessible via an alphabetical list and the familiar alphabet scroll bar on the right. This will enable users to easily access all the information they would require. Although it is possible to view number of Australian Opens played and won, it is not possible to view the same stats for other Grand Slams for comparison.
Users not only have the ability to follow their favourite players during matches, but also during their “down” time via twitter. If players upload images as part of their tweet they do so as a hyperlink, selection of the link results in the user being forced out of the application. This could be extremely frustrating for the user.
What doesn’t it do?
There are no video highlights/footage. This is something which was available on the Wimbledon 2009 application.
There are no individual match reports which should be available by selecting a completed match.
The ability to set up specific players to follow would be a useful addition to the ‘Scores’ section of the application. Much like the Sky Sports Live Football Centre this would enable the user to view only matches with players they are interested in.
There is no ability to set up push notifications so users are not forced to keep the app open at all times. Push notifications for favoured players should be made available, with the ability to set up alerts on a game by game, set by set, or match by match basis.
The start times of courts/matches are specific to Melbourne; it should be made possible for the application to search for your location in order to make the times spe
What is it?
Australian Open
Purpose?
Provide the ability for users to keep track of results and news from the Australian Open 2010.
Download?
Free. Does not require Wi-Fi connectivity
Overview
This application has received good reviews on the application store and generally is seen to have few faults.
So what does it do?
The functionality and navigation on this application is very straightforward, providing the ability to view:
• Live Scores
• Tournament Schedule
• Latest News
• Up to date Draws
• Player info
• Event Guide
• Ground maps
• Player tweets
• Latest Photos
The easy to use main menu provides clear access to the different options available through use of clear intuitive icons.
The ‘Scores’ section provides users with scores of live matches or completed matches. The former enables users to watch point by point progress of a match. Note: the scores update every 30 seconds; when this was initially compared with watching the same match live, (through the BBC website), the scores were seen to be in sync with the live footage. The refresh rate of the BBC was also a lot slower than the Australian Open app, on occasion it was seen to be 2 games behind the Australian Open app live scores.
Completed matches clearly displays the winner of each match by use of a tick. However, there is no ability to link through to a match report; this would be a useful addition.
‘Schedule’ enables the user to view the schedule of play on a day to day basis. This provides results on days that have been completed and also the line up for the forthcoming day. The time of matches, which round it is, and seeds of players are clearly displayed. It could be made more salient which day has been selected within the top menu.
‘Draws’ differs in that it presents the full draw for each event, e.g. Men’s Singles. However, moving between different sections of the draw requires nimble fingers and can be slightly frustrating . However, the main frustration is there is no ability to drag and move the draw to view different sections. This can only be done by selecting the required section in the overview map at the top and thus without the drag and move functionality the feeling of a dynamic full draw is lost.
Access to player bios is easily accessible via an alphabetical list and the familiar alphabet scroll bar on the right. This will enable users to easily access all the information they would require. Although it is possible to view number of Australian Opens played and won, it is not possible to view the same stats for other Grand Slams for comparison.
Users not only have the ability to follow their favourite players during matches, but also during their “down” time via twitter. If players upload images as part of their tweet they do so as a hyperlink, selection of the link results in the user being forced out of the application. This could be extremely frustrating for the user.
What doesn’t it do?
There are no video highlights/footage. This is something which was available on the Wimbledon 2009 application.
There are no individual match reports which should be available by selecting a completed match.
The ability to set up specific players to follow would be a useful addition to the ‘Scores’ section of the application. Much like the Sky Sports Live Football Centre this would enable the user to view only matches with players they are interested in.
There is no ability to set up push notifications so users are not forced to keep the app open at all times. Push notifications for favoured players should be made available, with the ability to set up alerts on a game by game, set by set, or match by match basis.
The start times of courts/matches are specific to Melbourne; it should be made possible for the application to search for your location in order to make the times spe
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- groups:
- Mobile phone review
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- tags:
- Mobile, Apps, Apple Store, Australian Open
