The Digital Stadium is primarily a research project, tackling poor connectivity in stadiums and other similar environments. We are building a prototype App for visitors to the AMEX stadium (in particular match-day services). This is being developed in conjunction with feedback canvassed from BHAFC fans.
From the start of the new season in July 2013, we will be opening up the trial to everyone that has access to an Android phone on match-days. If you wish to participate in the trial of the Digital Stadium App, please get in touch. (Email us)
As part of this research we will be gathering feedback from those that use the App as well as other supporters and visitors to the stadium. We will use a series of mini-questionnaires, interviews and shadowing etc.
We want to map out the types of services and functions that would be useful or desired within an App of this kind.
A key issue at the moment is that we can only run it on Android phones. This is because Apple are quite restrictive in what you can do with their devices – in particular they are very limiting in the ways that devices can network with each other. Android, however, make it very quick and easy to make changes to apps and release them onto phones, Apple have a closed process where apps are judged and regulated through their App store. Once the project has some legs we will of course focus on resolving the Apple restrictions.
In the meantime, although iPhone users won’t be able to run the App on their phone (unless they can try and borrow an Android device for home games), they can still provide valuable input to the project.
No matter what type of phone you have, your input is valuable to us. Perhaps you would like the application to provide a particular feature, for example Twitter access or a service that tells you how long the queue at the station is. If you have an idea, let us know on our Uservoice forum.
You can keep up to date with the project by following us on Twitter - @stadiumproject.
The Digital Stadium survey is now closed. We would like to thank all those who took the time to complete the survey. The research team will begin the recruiting process of 100 season ticket holders to help in the design and testing of early prototypes. The winner and runners-up of the prize draw will be notified by the 19th of January 2013.
Follow us @stadiumproject