September 25, 2010
Augmented Reality Now a Handheld Reality at Professional Sports Venues
Las Vegas, Nev. – Sept. 25, 2010 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) launched the beta version of the Mobile Fan Guide, a smartphone application currently available on Google Android™ and Apple iPhone®, on Saturday during Smith’s 350 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. LVMS is one of the first professional sports venues to utilize mobile applications to reach their fans—a market that is rapidly growing as the world transitions from feature phones to smartphones.
The application, which is built on the Ubiquity mobile application platform by Thermopylae Sciences + Technology (TST), provides three-dimensional home-to-seat directions and routing through Google Maps™, as well as a user interface that gives users the option of turning on relevant layers of information. Such layers of features and widgets include an events calendar, videos and photo galleries, all displayed through a Google Maps view of the stadium.
The release of Mobile Fan Guide is an especially unique addition to mobile apps in sports venues with its augmented reality feature, allowing users to scan their surroundings with their mobile device and uncover information all around them. The augmented reality feature instantly shows viewers the nearest points of interest, such as directions to their seats, concession stands, ATMs, restrooms and first aid stations. Along with the Mobile Fan Guide’s many features, the application is updated in real-time, giving the user immediate access to LVMS’ most up-to-date information, news, promotions and event details.
The Mobile Fan Guide highlights LVMS’ continued efforts to enhance its fans’ experience at the racetrack. “The main effect we hope this app has for the race fans is an improvement in customer service,” said LVMS President Chris Powell. “This app will make getting to the speedway easier and will also make it simpler to find your way around the speedway once you get here,” he added.
Mike Fisher, TST’s Vice President of Venue Marketing, explained that the number of Google searches on phones now rival those on laptops and desktops. “Things are swinging more toward mobile, and we’re at the front of that wave,” he added. Mobile Fan Guide is also in development with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and TST is expected to announce the addition of other professional and collegiate venues in the coming weeks. The beta version of the Mobile Fan Guide is now available for download in the Android Marketplace or for the iPhone at: http://t-sciences.com/ubiquity-lvms.
