Basketball Stat Tracker: Stats Beyond Pen and Paper

I often ask myself why guys are so hooked in playing basketball.  More often than not, they take the game seriously that whenever they end up losing a game, they would wallow in pity. Yes, the latter happened to one of my friends and I'd most likely pat his back and say, "Man up bro, it's just a game" then he would look at me in a dazzling manner.

I know I don't have that athletic bone in me but whenever I watch a basketball match I often find myself gratified into it. Not to mention, I'm one of those on the bench who'll cheer for the team I'm rooting for and would scream my lungs out once  they've shot a goal.

Almost every individual knows how to play the sport but how I wish I could play it better or even just learn the simple dribbling skill or lay-up, but no, it's just not meant for me. Perhaps I'm more of a runner-type of person since I oftentimes get sort of compliments that I walk too fast! I'm actually unaware of it, maybe it's just innate in me.

Anyway, I know most of you watch the annual NBA match. I myself watch the prestigious game and whenever I witness well maneuvered alley hoops and artistic dunks, I can't help but get jaw dropped. You don't get that same exhilarating feeling from other sports like badminton and chess, don't you?

Everybody grew up with the popular game. Who wouldn't know Hanamichi Sakuragi of "Slam Dunk"? Who wouldn't recognize Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant? These dudes didn't fail to drive the audience off their seats whenever they shoot hoops. For some, basketball might be considered as a good pastime to get their mind off things but for many others, it can be seen as a passion. Indeed,  basketball solidified its name almost all over the globe.

If you're an aspiring basketball player, learning the basketball fundamentals isn't just enough. You must also equip yourself with proper training and more importantly, you must be able to monitor your performance.

Now, get yourself ready boys and girls, let me be your coach and teach you how to expand your arsenal of tricks just like a professional basketball player.

To keep track of your players' performances and monitor stats of each player in a basketball game, simply avail this handy app that I'll be introducing to you. Get rid of the traditional pen and paper and use Basketball Stat Tracker instead in your Android device. This app developed by Hachisoft Corporation provides an interface for real-time basketball stat tracking with a bevy of following features:

Track your Favorite Teams
‣ Record stats for one player, an entire team, or both teams
‣ Easily record makes, misses, and shot locations with the touch and drag Basketball Shot Chart system
‣ Intuitive recording of +/-, points, rebounds, offensive rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, deflections, turnovers and fouls
‣ Track games on official courts (HS, JHS, NCAA, WNCAA, NBA, WNBA, FIBA, FIBA 2009)
‣ Manage and save team and player data for quick starting future games

Game Stats at Your Fingertips
‣ On screen scoreboard provides live game score
‣ On screen stat feed lists game stats in consecutive order
‣ Undo events at any time using the stat feed list
‣ Easy drill-down of stats and shots by team, game & player
‣ Stat and shot automatically compiled for quick lookup by quarters and/or halves

Keep Fans in the Loop
‣ Share score reports on social media or via email
‣ Email box scores and Shot Charts
‣ Easily create data exports for Maxpreps.com

Designed for Usability
‣ No need to keep papers organized; stats and Shot Charts are always with you on your Android device
‣ Clean design means Basketball Stat Tracker is both powerful and a joy to use
‣ Optimized for use on phone, 7” and 10” tablets

 

This app is perfect for teams, managers, coaches, statistians, and others who would like to track their team's and players' statistics. To add and start a game, select your preferred "Home" team and "Away" team. Put in the "Contest Location" and choose what type of contest it is. You can also select your court type that has a distinguished size. Afterwards, you can then begin with the game. If ever you forgot to put your starters, you may still add them.

To create a new team, select "Manage Teams" then encode the name of the team, let's say Wild Cats (remember High School Musical?), and the mascot. Once you're done, you can add your players to your roasters and put necessary information such as their name and jersey number then select starters. To delete a player or a team, you basically have to swipe to the left and tap delete.

This app simply allows you to have a quick look on how players have performed in games you've tracked. You can also view all their stats over the course of a season. You may email box scores and shot charts to players so that they can track their performance and determine which skills to improve. Other than that, you can compile scouting reports in mere seconds just by utilizing the stat filters and even acquire all recorded stats from the opposing players and teams.

But of course, a basketball match won't be complete without the fans of your team. With this app, you're not the only one who's updated but as well as the avid supporters of your team. If you want to keep the fans in the loop, you may share the game scoreboard and statistics via social networks, email or text message during or after a match. And since it an offical MaxPreps partner, it also supports its exports.

All Stats At Your Fingertips

With it's user-friendly interface, you can easily keep up with a fast paced basketball game. Not only that, it's well-designed for quick entries and ensures accuracy as box scores often are updated, thus you can have an instant overview of stats at all times. The stat entry history on the other hand, lets you quickly undo erroneous entries. But the icing on the cake of this app is that game scoreboard updates along with the track of the game, making it easy to reconcile your recorded stats with the scoreboard.

Some of my gripes though are that it doesn't have a time tracker and an option to transfer information between devices. If it will be updated then I guess, this app's going to be perfect.

Basketball Stat Tracker is a great solution to your cluttered pile of paper stats. Basketball data can be comprehensive and sophisticated but this one definitely made it not overly complex but simple. Thus, even without the use of traditional stat book,  one can easily track and analyze all game stats. This app actually integrates and expands on the shot tracking interface of Hachisoft’s other basketball app, Basketball Shot Chart, including additional stat tracking for assists, rebounds, turnovers, steals and even fouls.

This app has been available on Google Play for $3.99. Download it now and keep your basketball stats more organized.

Now, are you ready to be the next Jeremy Lim?

iOS 7's Hidden Features Revealed!

iOS 7 is Apple’s latest mobile software and the most drastic change to iOS since the release of the very first iPhone. 

Just like with any new software, you might hurdle trought the use of some of its new features and few kinks.  Besides it overhauled look, from the colors to font and its functionality, it’s cleaner and sleeker design without any clutter makes it a delight thing to use.

People have been talking about the fingerprint ID function of iOsS7 that is exclusive to the new iPhones.However, there are hidden tweaks and features that you can utilize for your older Apple devices.

Fret not, here are some hidden functions to look forward to.

Light it up

While many competing devices have that ability to be used as torches to find keys in the dark, iOS 7 finally is capable to function as one. All you have to do is turn on the flashlight button through the new control center. 

All new Control Centre

The Contol Centre can be accessed by swiping upwards from the bottom of your screen. This new pane allows you to control your network connection, the brightness of your screen and your music. It can also be accessed even from the locked screen.

Easy Switch to Do not Disturb

In iOS 7, the Do Not Disturb switch was moved to the Control Centre, meaning it can be accessed and switched on far more conveniently. Just a tap on the half moon icon can instantly turn your ringtone or sounds off.

The new way to access search

By swiping down on the homescreen, you can easily open the search box and the keyboard. Now, searching through your device is easier compared to before.

Swipe up to close Apps

Like in the old versions of iOS, you double click the home button to show apps that are open, but in the new iOS 7, you simply swipe up to close an app. 

Remembering your passwords

It is undeniably difficult to handle your multitude of account logins and passwords for the internet but with this latest version of iOS, everything can be stored in the iCloud and will then be automatically fill them in when signing in a website. For security purposes, all passwords are ensured to be encrypted.

Organizing your photos

The camera feature has a good look with its  new format including the new square alongside the existing panoramic format for taking picture. Added features include filters for your photos. Lastly, you can manage your photos in date, location and collections.

Capture photos by means of volume

Another neat hidden feature in the camera App includes taking a photo without tapping the screen. How? You simply hold down the volume buttons on the side, just like a real camera. 

Share with AirDrop

With the new featured dubbed as AirdDrop, users can use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to share their media files with people within their vicinity. 

iTunes Radio

This exclusive feature will only be available to users in the US to begin with. It was not yet rolled out to other countries but this simply allows users to stream radio stations on their Apple devices. 

Listen to Eargasmic Music with Divoom Speaker

Are you fond of music? Do you want to bust a groove while playing that famous “Wrecking Ball” song of Miley Cyrus? Or would you like to croon along with your favorite artist such as Taylor Swift or Katy Perry? Whatever genre or style you prefer; music certainly has been an essential part of every person’s life.

Most of the time, whenever we listen to music, we are whisked back to the emotions we felt at a particular moment like a serene wedding, an awful breakup, and among others. Indeed, the mere connection it gives us is usually imprinted in our hearts and minds.

 

Given that, I assume that you have your own set of music that you want to be played in an audio device that will pump up your listening experience. Ergo, if you want something that would bring out that perfect pitch to those songs that make you nostalgic, let me recommend a portable audio device that would totally suit your needs.

I’ve rummaged the best speakers on the market and what truly stands out is the Divoom speaker. This actually can deliver high quality sound that is aesthetically pleasing to your ears. It boasts clear and crisp audio that any catchy song played with it will surely stick in your head.

To use it, you actually just have to connect it to your device. Plug it and play the music or video, as simple as that. I tried it with my Kata FishTab 3 to watch a James Bond movie and I was astounded with how it amplified the sound effects through the incredible bass and clarity it produced. The good thing about it also is that it fits the tablet very well and I commend its built-in cradle that allows you to rest your device. Moreover, it has a sleek and travel-friendly design which makes it possible to carry it around wherever you go.

Divoom speaker is an ideal accessory to take pleasure in listening to music, video chatting and movie –watching without having to wear earphones. It simply is well worth the price and personally, I won’t mind investing on this highly dependable speaker.

Shazam: The Music Buff Superhero

If you find yourself  in trouble having those last song syndrome moments but still can hardly recognize what song it is or who sings it, then fret no more! Shazam is right up your alley to rescue you!

Shazam Music App

With Shazam, you don't have to sift through every CD or continuously turn the tuner on the radio to find your favorite music. Whether you are a music buff or just plainly in need of help in finding the music that's stuck in your head, then this app is definitely your must-have!

LyricPlay

Developed by Shazam Entertainment, Shazam is a music app that is capable of recognizing music. By just humming or letting the app listen to the song, it will eventually dig through its library to get a match. And voila! Problem solved!

Features

It doesn't matter if the song is by Adele or Boyce Avenue, this app will give you not only the artists, but the title of the song and as well as the album. Simply hold the phone to the speakers (or anywhere in the vicinity) and tap the "tag now" button. It will immediately start "listening" to the song for about 5-7 seconds then when it's finished it will send you all the info about the song.

Lyrics

But it doesn't stop there! It can give you so much more. You can buy the track, tag songs, read album reviews and artist bios, and of course, allows you to view the lyrics of the song in question and belt it out like you knew it all along. It also includes a social feature that lets you share tagged songs with your peers and provides you with what they’ve tagged as well. Last but not the least, it also posts the top videos from your favorite artists via Youtube. So, if you find a song you like by Justin Bieber and would like to see his music video, then this app will provide.

Tags

Pros and Cons

You can avail this amazing technology in a whopping ZERO dollars. That's right, it's free! What also makes this music app so impressive is that it's accurate, quick and allows you to store or download recently tagged songs at your convenience. On the other hand, if only it can shore up its ability to identify lesser-known music, then this app is nearly perfect.

Verdict

"Shazam" sounds like a magic word and with the app's functionality, it definitely works like magic! This music app is a must have for music enthusiasts and even for those who have problem in grabbing the song they hear in the club or on the radio.

Shazam is a real deal, plus it's free! Go get it! :)

Download Shazam for iOS, Blackberry & Android.

Triple Town: UnBEARably Addictive

Are you ready for an APPventure to a town where there are lotsa bears?

Triple Town by Spry Fox is an amalgamation of simple match puzzling game, complex city building and bear wrangling.

Gameplay

This gaming app allows players to turn their settlement into a fancy town in a 6 x 6 grid. The map starts with a random design where you need to tap 3 or more of the same game pieces together to upgrade it into an evolved piece- grass makes a bush, bushes form trees, trees becomes huts, and huts builds a house.

But then there are the bears! They fill up your town to scare the tiny townsfolk. Hence, you must trap them to transform them into gravestones.You’re now dealing with two separate upgrade paths all getting in the way of one another. Just like the chess, you have to be clever in placing your game piece.

Once you’re finished with your settlement to a town or a megalopolis, then you can make certain purchases to help you through the succeeding matches.

Pros and Cons

It’s not a surprise that you’ll struggle at the first but once you’ve found your rhythm of  how the stacks-within-stacks play into each other, then it will fascinate you. The combination of frustration and glee it brings you will get you addicted to it.

There’s only one problem: eventually the free ride runs out, and when it does, it hurts to avail the unlimited turns at a painful rate of $6.99.

Verdict

I give Triple Town a big bear hug! It’s not just a straightforward matching game but it’s mentally challenging enough to keep your brain sharp and simple enough to dig in those one-more-time hooks.

So why not give it a try? The first hit is always free on Android and iTunes AppStore.