Get World Cup betting odds on your phone

YET ANOTHER way of cashing in on soccer fever has just been introduced by 8Bit Games. This time it is 'World Cup 2006 Planner' for your mobile phone.

A USP with this offering is that it promises to provide you with the latest betting odds for your favourite team. As well as a 'fantasy' option, whereby - if you can predict the winners - you could possibly win an iPod.

The Planner appears to be a Java app which should run on most smartphones. You can download it by texting the words 'go world' to 60300. You're then billed £4.50 for the application via premium rate SMS (text).

According to 8Bit's Dave Vout, this product "is like travelling with your own personal team of experts, commentators, pundits, journalists and mates." Except with Planner you don't have to buy the drinks.

Having downloaded the app, the INQ is a bit worried that parts of the offering aren't there already. For example, the 'Facts and background' appears to be missing. However, this is something which purchasers will probably need to download from the 'Updates' section via GPRS.

Given that it can offer instant access to the latest scores as well as tell you when the matches are on TV, then it's probably worth the £4.50. µ

L'INQ
Planner demo