PUBLISHED
16:12 20th September 2013
Together with a team of technology experts at Sussex University, Albion fans have helped developed a new form of technology which could solve the problem of limited mobile connectivity in football stadiums across the world.
Thanks to the efforts of Seagulls fans, Android mobile phones can now download a new version of the Digital Amex Stadium Application, for use from tomorrow’s game with Bolton Wanderers.Funded by a government technology grant, the app has been developed by a pioneering technology team at the University of Sussex, led by Ian Wakeman and Jon Rimmer.
With the help of a loyal band of fans, they have been working on the project for 12 months – attempting to solve the data connectivity problem in areas, such as football stadiums.
The app – which until now has only been available to those volunteers who put themselves forward to help test the technology - gives fans access to live scores, travel info and tweets during home games.
From tomorrow, all fans with an Android phone will be able to download the app to their phone for use at the stadium – and it uses a unique peer-to-peer system to create a wireless network amongst fans, passing around small packets of data, without the need for a strong wi-fi or mobile signal.
Ian Wakeman said, “We have been working with around 100 fans to test the app over a number of Albion games, but we are now ready to make this openly available to all supporters* with Android phones.
“We are working on one for the iPhone, although this is more complex, so Apple users will have to wait a few more weeks before we can launch a version for the iPhone.”
The team are also working on further enhancements for the app, including ticketing solutions and other additions, and are now in talks with the Football League to ensure that the technology can be used for all club’s
future mobile apps.
Please click here to download the Android version of the app, or for more information on the Digital Stadium project.
Original article