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> "A fan logs into the app, which determines through geolocation the user's exact position within the venue..." In terms of the indoor venues/stadiums/etc. I h

> "A fan logs into the app, which determines through geolocation the user's exact position within the venue..." In terms of the indoor venues/stadiums/etc. I have ever been to (honestly, quite a few), I ALWAYS have absolutely HORRIBLE reception on my iPhone (AT&T). I feel like this could be a massive issue for this sort of app. How can I use it, if it can't even figure out where I am or display the data inside the venue? Possible solution: It would be nice if the venues that they teamed up with started offering free WIFI to help with this problem of poor reception or no data. Almost always, the venues have WIFI, but it is password protected. Maybe there are security concerns for having public WIFI at places like this that I am unaware of? EDIT: I will also add more of a "real world" example of this. When I use Foursquare, I always have to "check-in" outside of the venue, because it can't even find where I am when I'm inside. Luckily, Foursquare's model allows you to do these "check-in's" manually (by searching), or before/after you attend the event. I think that is why they can get away with it, unlike an app like this. It seems like a big problem they would need to figure out before they launch.

miles_matthias 14y ago
Yes, same problem for my iPhone on Verizon. Maybe partnering with a major ticket seller so they know your exact position, or better yet, allow the user to scan their ticket with their phone. Still have the issue of bad reception though. Free wifi would be awesome but a major investment for 60,000+ people.
- zcuskelly 14y ago
  Depending on what ticketing system the venue is using we either have fans input their seat location manually or input their ticket barcode (scan feature to be released shortly).
bennyg 14y ago
Isn't the best case GPS position only within 10m anyways?
davebees 14y ago
Would it be so bad to just enter your seat number into the app?
- bluetidepro 14y ago
  That doesn't solve the problem of the app not even working because data can't be passed back and forth. The app requires dynamic information to work correctly, and if that data going back and forth is inaccessible or not possible then it's pointless.
sharkweek 14y ago
Most modern stadiums are moving that direction -- http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/03/the-49ers-plan-to-build-the-greatest-stadium-wi-fi-network-of-all-time/ http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/03/the-49...
- bluetidepro 14y ago
  That is true, there are some moving that way. What about the hundreds of other stadiums that are not upgrading anytime soon, though? Again, seems like a big issue they have not addressed or mentioned.
  - pmarsh 14y ago
    Yeah connectivity is going to continue to only slowly get better. The cost of upgrading the infrastructure is just so high and older venues don't always have the room for upgrading DAS systems. It'll be another 3 years before things are really ironed out in the newer buildings. Not sure how older ones will manage to deal with the situation.
    - zcuskelly 14y ago
      Zach from pogoseat here. You guys bring up a great point about connectivity and it certainly is something worth noting. To help address we do our best to make the app as lightweight as possible. Additionally we look to partner with venues that have solid connectivity and thus far have had no issues in this area with our deployments at Stanford and the GS Warriors. Cisco is helping improve the situation as well although it is expensive as was noted earlier. http://www.cisco.com/web/strategy/sports/stadium_wifi.html http://www.cisco.com/web/strategy/sports/stadium_wifi.html
- gz5 14y ago
  with that problem being addressed, I would like to see in-game auction of the prime corporate seats that sit empty (but are purchased) and are usually heavily guarded. put real fans in the best seats.

miles_matthias 14y ago

Yes, same problem for my iPhone on Verizon. Maybe partnering with a major ticket seller so they know your exact position, or better yet, allow the user to scan their ticket with their phone. Still have the issue of bad reception though. Free wifi would be awesome but a major investment for 60,000+ people.

zcuskelly 14y ago
Depending on what ticketing system the venue is using we either have fans input their seat location manually or input their ticket barcode (scan feature to be released shortly).

bennyg 14y ago

Isn't the best case GPS position only within 10m anyways?

davebees 14y ago

Would it be so bad to just enter your seat number into the app?

bluetidepro 14y ago
That doesn't solve the problem of the app not even working because data can't be passed back and forth. The app requires dynamic information to work correctly, and if that data going back and forth is inaccessible or not possible then it's pointless.

sharkweek 14y ago

Most modern stadiums are moving that direction -- http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/03/the-49ers-plan-to-build-the-greatest-stadium-wi-fi-network-of-all-time/ http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/03/the-49...

bluetidepro 14y ago
That is true, there are some moving that way. What about the hundreds of other stadiums that are not upgrading anytime soon, though? Again, seems like a big issue they have not addressed or mentioned.
- pmarsh 14y ago
  Yeah connectivity is going to continue to only slowly get better. The cost of upgrading the infrastructure is just so high and older venues don't always have the room for upgrading DAS systems. It'll be another 3 years before things are really ironed out in the newer buildings. Not sure how older ones will manage to deal with the situation.
  - zcuskelly 14y ago
    Zach from pogoseat here. You guys bring up a great point about connectivity and it certainly is something worth noting. To help address we do our best to make the app as lightweight as possible. Additionally we look to partner with venues that have solid connectivity and thus far have had no issues in this area with our deployments at Stanford and the GS Warriors. Cisco is helping improve the situation as well although it is expensive as was noted earlier. http://www.cisco.com/web/strategy/sports/stadium_wifi.html http://www.cisco.com/web/strategy/sports/stadium_wifi.html
gz5 14y ago
with that problem being addressed, I would like to see in-game auction of the prime corporate seats that sit empty (but are purchased) and are usually heavily guarded. put real fans in the best seats.