It’s that time of the year again. Regardless of your strategy for filling out your bracket you have to find ways to track it. Both ESPN and CBS have developed iPhone apps to bring you closer to the Madness.
ESPN TOURNAMENT CHALLENGE
ESPN offers a nice clean look and feel to its 2010 Tournament Challenge app. The app is pretty simple: you can track your entries, groups, and overall leader board.
Unfortunately, the app is too simple for the average sports fan.
SPORT TECHIE’S BOTTOM LINE: The only reason to download ESPN’s app is if you filled out a bracket using ESPN. The app offers no additional functionality or use.
CBS SPORTS NCAA© MARCH MADNESS ON DEMAND© LITE
If you love March, you gotta love CBS’ signature March Madness tune upon opening up the app. CBS offers real-time live scores and breaking news. You can track your ranking with your group(s). Game previews, video highlights (with pre-roll video advertisements), matchup comparisons, and player stats. With the upgrade to the premium app you can manage score alerts and watch LIVE streaming video of any game. The app offers the ability to log-in to Facebook or Twitter and comment on games or trash talk to friends. Regular app updates.
Beware, the app can run slow at times. Also, you must start a bracket and join a group by computer first.
SPORT TECHIE’S BOTTOM LINE: CBS takes the cake for this year’s award for best March Madness iPhone app. If you fill out a bracket you must also own this app.