ESPN ScoreCenter-- Review Focus on Free

By: ESPN ScoreCenter Version # : 1.0.0 Date Released: 05/28/2009 Type: Sports  Price: $0.00 Our Rating User Rating: Average: Select ratingPoorOkayGoodGreatAwesome Your rating: None Average: 3.7 (7 votes)   Get App From App Store

     As most of you know, I am a high school coach.  Sports are pretty much my entire life and since I am usually off somewhere coaching my teams, I often lose touch to what is happening in professional and college sports.  With that in mind, I am always open to a new sports app especially if it is free.  Sportacular is on my homepage so it gets a lot of use and subconsciously what I am comparing the ESPN ScoreCenter app to.  The app was very close to getting a 5 star rating and also very close to getting a 1 star rating.  There are parts of it I love, but also some issues that almost make it not usable.
     I do like the set up and navigation of the application.  During set up, you choose the sports you want to include scores for.  After choosing the sports, you choose the leagues and can also add your favorite teams.  I love this as there is no searching through sports I do not watch or even leagues I do not care to see.  By adding your favorite teams, their scores are highlighted at the top.  Again, no need to search.  One feature I wish Sportacular would add is auto racing.  A good number of auto racing series are included and the race results post quickly.  There is also a limited news ticker at the bottom.  This is a nice touch, but I would like to see more news with a little more detail.  If you click on a news story as it passes, the app opens the ESPN MobileWeb with the story or game information.  This is a nice touch and the mobile web opens quickly and cleanly.
     When looking at an individual game a basic line score and information is included.  If you would like a more indepth look at the game, a Recap is provided thorugh the ESPN MobileWeb at the bottom.  I was looking at the Recap for the Astros/Pirates game.  This offers a recap complete with interviews and comments.  There is a summary which includes all scoring plays.  The plays tab provides an inning by inning summary of all plays made.  Basically you are able to reconstruct the game any way you like through the Recap option. 
     Now for some of the downsides of the app.  First of all, the information provided is not as in depth as Sportacular.  You are able to practically watch a game live with the information given in Sportacular during the game.  I would like to see standings and be able to click on my favorite team and get instant news and commentary.  Yes, the ESPN is a score app, but when you have another free option that includes everything and more, it keeps you from needing another option.  My biggest problem with the application comes while syncing.  After I installed this app I noticed that when syncing my iPhone it hangs during backup.  I tried many different trouble shooting actions with no avail.  I then read about several complaints about users having the same problem after installing this app and relieving the problem after deleting.  Come on ESPN!  Surely you have the resources to make an unbelieveable app, or at least one that allows me to sync!

Quick take:
Value:  Medium with some tweaks.
Would I buy again?  Only if Sportacular disappears.
Learning Curve:  None
Who is it for?  Anyone needing scores on the go.
What I like:  Autoracing is included!
What I don't:  No standings, limited news, locking up my computer during sync!