The Winter Olympics in Sochi have already graced the news, and not always for great reasons. But controversy surrounding the Olympics isn’t new. So get out your country’s flag, crank the national anthem, and grab your phone or tablet of choice because we’ve collected our favorite apps for watching and keeping up with the Olympics on the go.
Updated on 2-22-2014 by AJ: Added the Olympic Athletes’ Hub, Media Alert, and Buddy TV to the list.
Olympic Athletes’ Hub
For connecting with the athletes…
One of the cool parts about the Olympics is showcasing the country that it takes place in. Regardless the policies of the government, the unique culture and landscape of Russia makes for a very photo-friendly environment. Olympic Athletes’ Hub collects all the photos and videos taken by the performers to give you a look at the sights and sounds of Sochi. It’s the closest you’ll probably ever come to the Olympic village, so enjoy the view.
Medal Alert
For knowing when to celebrate…
Even though there are days worth of broadcasts covering qualifiers and lesser events, it’s the medals that we end up talking about. That’s what the athletes are competing for and that’s what will remain as a country’s legacy after the games are all over. If you want to receive notice every time your country captures bronze, silver, or gold, the official Medal Alert app will let you know. Just don’t cry spoilers when the update comes in at 5 in the morning even though you haven’t watched the footage yet.
BuddyTV
For talking about the events…
It’s not always easy to convince people to hang out and watch the Olympics, especially during those qualifying rounds of events where countries with no chance to win are performing. BuddyTV is your guide to finding the most exciting events to watch. As the medal rounds begin, it’s a good way to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the best performances of the games. And with the events split across so many channels, the app can also help you make sure you’re tuned in to the right station.
Available on: iOS
NBC Sports Live Extra
For those of you with cable…
The schedule for the Olympics is packed, with events happening constantly and overlapping. Watching it all on TV is almost impossible. You have to sit in one place the whole time and flip channels regularly to see a fraction of the events. NBC Sports Live Extra is the best option for anyone with a cable or satellite connection. The app will have every event available for live streaming, full replays of completed competitions, and is far easier to navigate than the TV guide.
Available on: iOS, Android, and Windows Phone
Sochi 2014 Guide
For figuring out what’s going on, where, and when…
Every Olympics has its own personality. Even though most of the events are the same, the venues, athletes, and host country all set the tone for the competitions. Sochi 2014 Guide is the official guide to this year’s games. It has details about the events including a full schedule, photos of scenes from Sochi, maps to track the torch and longer events, and detailed information about each location and stadium. It’s the encyclopedia for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Available on: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry
Sochi 2014 WOW
For rules and terms related to each sport…
Samsung has already stirred up some controversy at the Olympics by asking athletes to cover up the Apple logo on their phones during the opening ceremony. So it’s no surprise that Samsung’s own app for the event is Android only. Still, Sochi 2014 WOW (Wireless Olympic Works) is a great resource to have. It offers details about the sports, athletes, and results. Perhaps most helpful is the app’s guide for each sport, explaining terms for the game and how it is played. This is sure to come in handy when you suddenly find yourself watching curling and have no idea what the hell is going on.
Available on: Android
2014 Team USA Road to Sochi
For info on U.S. athletes and what they’re up to…
Earning a spot on the Olympics roster is one of the most difficult tasks … period. It’s really hard. Even if they don’t bring home a medal, they were still one of the best competitors in their entire country. You can follow the journey of the athletes who will be representing the United States with the 2014 Team USA Road to Sochi app. Check out athlete bios, interviews, and video clips. Plus, the app will keep you up to date on each athlete, showing you the events they competed in and the results of each event.
#ItsOurTime
Record yourself rooting for the team…
It’s hard not to get wrapped up in the Olympic games. There’s something about the competition that turns everyone into the most patriotic versions of themselves. You can get caught up in the madness and send your support to the competitors sporting the red, white, and blue at the games with #ItsOurTime. The app, presented by AT&T, allows you to record yourself rooting for your team and sends your support to those athletes currently competing in Sochi. Thankfully, you don’t have to bust out the body paint or drape yourself in an American flag.
Sochi 2014 Results
For scores and medals…
Some people love every step of the competitions and will follow the performances from the very first trials to the medal ceremonies. But that takes a lot of dedication, and the best of the best don’t compete until the final days. If you can’t track the games every step of the way but want to know who won, Sochi 2014 Results is what you’re looking for. It will update you on the winners of events, the medal counts for each country, and give specific updates on the countries and events you specify as your favorites.
Available on: iOS, Android, and Windows Phone
NBC Olympics Highlights and Results
For you cord cutters…
If you don’t have a TV subscription of any sort but still want to check out the best moments of Olympic glory, the NBC Olympics Highlights and Results app is for you. You will be able to check out the highlights and winners from every event, plus get real time results and medal counts. It also serves as a great second screen app, with a complete schedule of events and offers TV and online listings for where to watch. During the primetime events on NBC, it offers information to users that coincides with the action taking place on the big screen.
Article first published Feb. 7.
