Cup app sails into NZ top spot

Animation Research Ltd systems manager John Jenkins monitors Virtual Eye App servers from the...
Animation Research Ltd systems manager John Jenkins monitors Virtual Eye App servers from the company's Dunedin offices. Photo by Animation Research Ltd.
If you cannot be in San Francisco, then the next best way to follow the America's Cup might be on a mobile app produced by Dunedin company Animation Research Ltd (ARL).

Earlier this week, the app had reached almost 300,000 downloads and had been the No 1 free sports app for iPhones in New Zealand for the best part of a week.

It reached No 17 in the United States, No 8 in Australia, No 24 in Spain, No 32 in the United Kingdom and No 4 in Switzerland.

Even New Zealand Prime Minister John Key reportedly uses the app to follow the action.

''He watched [Monday] morning's start at the Air New Zealand lounge and then listened to the commentary as long as he could [before boarding another flight] on the America's Cup app,'' ARL chief executive Ian Taylor said.

Since the America's Cup finals started, ARL has been adding extra capacity to its systems to keep up with demand.

''One of the great things about this app is that we were able to involve a number of small New Zealand companies in producing it. A technology company in Queenstown, a design company here in Dunedin and a two-man operation out of Timaru,'' Mr Taylor said.

''It sends a really positive signal that you don't have to up the stakes and move to the big centres to create international products. And you certainly don't have to leave New Zealand.''

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement