ESPN MVP - Top Mobile Apps Revisited 2007

App: ESPN MVP

Company: ESPN

Year it was a top mobile app: 2007

Why it was a Top Mobile App: The application initially got lost in the shuffle of ESPN's ill-fated MVNO. However, after it was revived by Verizon Wireless via the carrier's V Cast platform, it shined. Highlights included real-time, play-by-play updates from across the pro and collegiate sports landscape, personalization tools enabling subscribers to spotlight their favorite teams and players, exclusive commentary from ESPN columnists, and fantasy alerts. Click here for more.

Its current status: The application has been a hit and is currently ranked ninth in Verizon's online media store for apps. Since 2007, the app's graphics have been refreshed, but the user interaction design has stayed the same, according to Oke Okaro, vice president of ESPN Mobile. "The thing that makes MVP great is how we program the content, pretty effectively integrating stories with related contents that makes sense--be it related videos or related audio content," he said. "It's been a very robust application and very robust experience." The app is currently available on 41 Verizon phones, and later this fall will be made available to other operators and Research In Motion's BlackBerry devices.