IBM Launches Seer Android At Wimbledon

IBM introduces phone applications that make it easier to follow all the action from the tournament.

IBM is courting tennis fans with a trio of applications that will allow them to follow Wimbledon moment by moment, whether or not they're at London's famed grass courts.

"These smart applications were designed with tennis fans in mind and add a whole new dimension to the event whether you are attending in person or sitting in your garden 5,000 miles away," said Rob McCowen, marketing director at the All England Lawn and Tennis Club, in a statement.

For those who can't make it to Wimbledon during the next two weeks, IBM has two applications that can help keep them abreast of the action. IBM's Wimbledon iPhone application delivers live scores, draws, news, and video highlights from Wimbledon tournament play, which began Monday. The Wimbledon iPhone app is available from Apple's App Store.

Big Blue's Seer Aggregator application, meanwhile, is a downloadable app that works with most Java-enabled handsets. The app pulls together tweets from IBM scouts onsite at Wimbledon, as well as from players and officials.

For Wimbledon attendees, IBM is offering something a little more advanced—albeit in beta stage. The Seer Android application for T-Mobile's Google Android-based G1 phone is designed to help fans navigate their way around the courts and concession stands.

When users point their phone's video camera at objects on the grounds, data built into the Seer Android application identifies the object. The application also relies on the G1's built-in GPSsystem. Seer Android also gives users live score updates and other information from around the courts. IBM plans to demo Seer Android at Wimbledon.

"I can see the incredible potential here to change the way people will engage with major sporting and other events both now and in the future. The applications address common challenges such as getting lost, encountering queues, or momentarily missing some of the action," said McCowen.

Source: http://www.informationweek.com/news/personal_tech/smartphones/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=218100659

Tags: IBM, Wimbledon, All England Lawn and Tennis club, iPhone, Apple App store, Rob McCowen, Seer Android, T-Mobile, Java enabled, G1 phone, GPS, Global IT News, Google android,

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