ESPN is back with another addition to its Android application lineup. Last month they introduced ESPN ScoreCenter application, which is their basic scores, stats, and recaps application. They added this to ESPN News, though ScoreCenter accomplishes many aspects of that application, including the ability to track your favorite team. This time they’re back with an ESPN Radio application.
The featured aspect of the application is live streams of ESPN Radio. They have affiliates in many major markets, and I have to say that although I dislike sports talk radio in general, I do prefer the ESPN guys to their local sports radio counterparts (notably, I enjoy the ESPN guys over Mike Francessa and others at WFAN in New York). If you need your daily fill of blowhards but either don’t get reception in your area or don’t have a radio ready, this app will be a necessity.
Another excellent feature is the inclusion of podcasts. ESPN has expanded into this realm, headed by their featured writer Bill Simmons and his podcast, the BS Report. The best way to grow a podcast audience is to offer the shows to mobile users — I’m sure plenty of people listen to them on home computers but it has always seemed to me that podcasts are ideal for people who are moving and don’t have access to terrestrial radio.
The application also includes SportsCenter updates, an easy throw-in, and the ability to text into shows. I’m not sure how much that will come into play, but at the very least it gives you a forum to sound off when one of the personalities says something stupid — which probably occurs two or three times a minute, on average.
The app is not free, unfortunately, though it also does not require a subscription. It’s just $5, but if you’re ready to take the Paid App Pledge this seems like a worthy fulfillment of your weekly quota.
Via Talk Android.
