So, how to combine these two passions? I never expected it to be in an App. Well, that’s not true, I expect a lot of Apps to come and go over time, but frankly for me, Twitter for Blackberry, Google Talk and Google Maps are the only App’s I’ve truely used and kept using – so for that reason I was a bit sceptical when I heard that Formula 1 had released an iPhone AND Blackberry App for the 2010 season.
Official F1 Blackberry App - Races
I downloaded it immediately. Let me be clear – this is in the top two all time visually impressive Blackberry apps. Tweet Genius from Boy Genius is neck and neck because of its graphic design, use of transitions and pop ups away from the standard blackberry O/S. The F1 app is the same. It looks nothing like a Blackberry when you are in it.
Essentially the app has five key sections:
Official F1 Blackberry App - Home
Home – Here you’ll see the same countdown to the ‘next session’ you are used to from the F1.com home page, along with links to the sessions at that grand prix. Using arrows on screen you can scroll to other events.
Official F1 Blackberry App - Live Timing
Live Timing – As it’s named, this is where you see Live timing – I will test this thoroughly for Melbourne.
Races – Shows a list of the events and dates all of which you can click to then view session information and times.
Standings – Lists the Drivers and Constructors standings on a single scrollable page.
Official F1 Blackberry App - Help
Help – Contains help information on each section.
This is a VERY simple app, and for that reason has some downfalls. Such as – why not include latest news, or driver profiles – in fact any content that is available on the F1 website.
Developed in conjuction with Vodafone (I assume due to the branding all over it), there are some glitches too. I constantly get a connection error – then it just comes good.
Connection Error?
And MOST anoying of all, you can’t ESCAPE back to your home screen, in fact you cannot through any menu – only by ALT+ESC can you switch application to get out. That’s a bit weird!
All in all, TOP MARKS for visual and UI design. The true test will be how well the live timing performs, I shall test that side by side with the F1.com live timing and TV coverage this weekend in Melbourne.
Have you downloaded it? Let me know what you think! If not – try it here http://mobile.formula1.com/download from your mobile device.
Trev is a Technology Commentator, Dad, Speaker and Rev Head.
He produces and hosts two popular podcasts, EFTM and Two Blokes Talking Tech. He also appears on over 50 radio stations across Australia weekly, and is the resident Tech Expert on Channel 9’s Today Show each day and appears regularly on A Current Affair.
Father of three, he is often found down in his Man Cave.
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