Best apps to watch, follow, or attend the 2016 Summer Olympics

Whether you are watching the competitions online, following the scores, or attending the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio, there are some great apps to help you navigate the 17-day international sporting event. Here's a list of the best apps for following, watching, and attending the 2016 Summer Olympics.

How to get news and schedules for the 2016 Summer Olympics

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The Olympics official app

The official app of the Olympics has been updated with the latest information about the 2016 event in Rio. Read up on all of the news about the Olympics straight from the official website. You can get names of every athlete competing this summer and find out their medal standings.

The Olympics official app is very comprehensive and has everything you need to know leading up to the big event.

NBC Olympics

The Olympics will be broadcast live on NBC for the next two-and-a-half weeks. The NBC Olympics app features video clips of news and information relating to the upcoming competition. It is the perfect app for getting the schedule for every online and broadcast event that you can watch live or rebroadcasted later.

Note: You can't watch the Olympics live from this app, but you can with the NBC Sports app.

Summer Games 2016 Events Calendar

If you just want a reminder whenever your favorite sport is starting, the Summer Games Events Calendar app is the perfect app for you. It features a schedule of every single event in the 2016 Summer Olympics and the option for you to receive a notification when it is about to start. That's it. It's simple and easy to use.

If you don't need news updates, but don't want to miss out on any of your favorite events, use the Summer Games 2016 Events Calendar to remind you.

ESPN

If you are already a regular user of the ESPN app, you can catch up on all of the latest news and information about the 2016 Summer Olympics by adding it to your list of favorites under the Leagues option in Settings.

You'll get up-to-the-minute information about all the news surrounding the Summer Olympics, not just the official stuff.

If you are just as much into the gossip about the Olympics as you are about the actual competitions, read up on the ESPN app.

How to watch the 2016 Summer Olympics live

NBC Sports

NBC Sports is the only app that you can officially watch every single event of the 2016 Summer Olympics. You'll need to sign in with your cable provider credentials to watch within the app. However, you can stream everything live, without a cable subscription in a browser, at nbcolympics.com

How to get around if you are attending the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio

Rio 2016

The Rio 2016 app is designed specifically for those in Rio for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Not only can you find general information about the worldwide sporting event, but you can also read about other activities taking place across Brazil. Like watching the torch run throughout various cities, parties you can attend each night, and more. The Spectator Guide includes detailed information on each sport and its official Olympic rules (though no actual schedule of events).

If you are in Rio for the 2016 Summer Olympics, download Rio 2016 for local info.

Olympic Athletes' Hub

If you are attending the 2016 Summer Olympics as a competitor, you'll need the Athletes' Hub from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). With this app, you can connect with other athletes that are attending the Olympics, find out about great tips for last-minute training, and get exclusive offers from the IOC regarding the big event in Rio.

If you are in Rio as an athlete supporting your country in the 2016 Summer Olympics, grab the Athletes' Hub for additional information.

Uber

If you are trying to get to the big games, or even just grabbing a bite to eat over the next three weeks, chances are it's going to be pretty difficult to get around since the city of Rio is being overrun by tens of thousands of Olympiads and fans. Instead of trying to track down an available taxi or navigate the crowded public transportation system, you can call on Uber to get you to your destination faster and for less money.

If you are looking for a ride in Rio during the Summer Olympics, Uber has you covered.

How are you watching the 2016 Summer Olympics?

Do you have a dedicated plan for the next 17 days of the Olympics? Let us know how you are going to watch everything.

Lory Gil

Lory is a renaissance woman, writing news, reviews, and how-to guides for iMore. She also fancies herself a bit of a rock star in her town and spends too much time reading comic books.  If she's not typing away at her keyboard, you can probably find her at Disneyland or watching Star Wars (or both).