IBM has developed and launched a smartphone application at this year’s Wimbledon which it says can “transform” the way spectators access information at sporting events.
IBM has been Wimbledon's IT partner since 1990. Its new application, running on Google's Android operating system, superimposes real-time statistics and updates from social networking site Twitter, including comments from players, onto a video feed from a handset's camera.
“It's about visualising data in a different way,” said Alan Flack, IBM's client executive for the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), in an interview. “The trial needs to be fun to improve the experience people have at the tournament. By exploring new technologies, we can bring information to life by making it useful, engaging and accessible.”
Rob McCowen, marketing director at the AELTC, added that “these smart applications were designed with tennis fans in mind and add a whole new dimension to the event.”
The ‘Seer Android’ service is being trialled on T-Mobile's G1 mobile phone at the tournament which started yesterday.
