The Essential Free Apps for the Super Bowl XLV

Getting ready for the Super Bowl XLV? Then download all these free apps into your iPhone or Android (if available). Because, you know, there's never enough apps to feed our hyperactive, hyperinformationhungry brains and satisfy our short attention spans.

The Game

ESPN ScoreCenter. If you are a sports fan, you probably have this one already. If you don't, get it. It shows "live game details featuring last play, in-game stats, boxscores, game summaries and standings," among other things. Free.

NFL Pro Tweets. I doubt any player in the game will be tweeting from the field, but if you want to see what players from other teams are talking about during the game, this app by the NFL Players Association will show you their tweets in real time. Free.

Super Bowl XLV Official NFL Game Program. This is the official Super Bowl program from the NFL in digital format for the iPad, showing video telling the Packers' and Steelers' road to the final, past Super Bowls and clips from the 2010 season. Free.

The Ads

AdBowl. If you don't give a damn about the game and, like many, you are only interested in the ads shown during the retransmission, this is your app. It allows you to watch the commercials and rate them. And yes, it can't get more stupid than downloading an app to watch ads, but at least it's Free.

Where to watch

Fan Finder. If you are not going to watch the game at home, FanFinder Mobile locates Sports Bars around you. Not only that: It shows you those where you can find people supporting your team. Free.

Super Bowl XLV. If you are going to the stadium, this is the app to get. It allows you to navigate a 3D map of North Texas and discover places to eat and drink. You can browse Cowboys Stadium and find parking, concessions, and restrooms and see if anyone you know is there and where. It's also available for Android here. Free.

Team Fan Apps

Official Green Bay Packers. If you are going to cheer for the Packers, this is the app you want to get. It's loaded with stats, videos and charts. Also available for Android. Free.

Steel Insider. If you are a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, this is the app to get. It's less detailed than the Packers' app. You can get it for Androidhttp://www.appstorehq.com/pittsburghsteelers-android-171745/app/buy too. Free.