App puts action of the World Cup in your hands — including noisemakers

By Brian Nordli

Thursday, June 5, 2014 | 2 a.m.

Editor’s note: There are more than 1 million apps available for download from Apple's App Store and a similar number of Android apps available on Google Play. Staff writer Brian Nordli weighs in on one of the applications he deems worthy of being the Sun’s App of the Week.

Phone App: Brazil W. Cup 2014

Where it’s found: Apple’s App Store

Cost: Free

What it is: The 2014 World Cup is almost here, and with it will be a flurry of soccer — or futbol — matches that will determine the world’s greatest soccer team.

With games played in Brazil from morning to late afternoon, it can be tough to keep up with the action of your favorite teams. That’s where the Brazil W. Cup 2014 app comes in. The app has an easy-to-use interface that tracks group stage records, preliminary matches and knockout matches in three separate tabs.

For each matchup, users can see where the game is played, learn about the stadium and, to make things interesting, predict the score and winner. Users can also read up on the latest news for each team from Algeria to the United States to stay informed.

For added fun — or annoyance for the people around you — the app has a digital form of the Caxirola noisemaker (pronounced ka-shee-role-a). The shaker is Brazil’s version of South Africa’s vuvuzela horn.

With a tap or shake, your phone can emit the rattling sound of the banned Brazilian noisemaker while you keep up with all the World Cup action on the app.