Right at the peak of US Open, I am playing around with their Iphone application.

I cannot think of a more complete tool to follow the tennis tournament on the go.

News, Players' profiles, Scores (matches in progress and completed matches), Schedule and Draws keep the most demanding fan updated in real time, while photos and videos add visual and editorial contribution, including footage of press conferences and interviews.

A comprehensive guide for the spectators at the two arenas includes maps, transportation and directions, seat charts and even a dining guide.

The application is built, hosted and sponsored by IBM.

Rafael Nadal

Another sponsor is American Express, bringing the Iphone user an online live radio which the user can contribute to by sending questions from the phone application itself and several collateral benefits for Amex members.

The cherry on top of the application is the “Tweets” section, which lists the official Tweeter US Open feed, plus a few celebrities’ too.

This great application works in parallel with the website, which is also fully “social networked”, with links to Facebook and Tweeter pages, posts, comments (which are searchable by geographical area), most popular stories and photos, plus downloadable wallpapers, widgets and various competitions, and the live video and audio broadcasts.

Next time I will need to show someone examples of online interaction and engagement, why hopping around the Internet collecting examples when the US Open online presence alone is a full and complete showcase?