Edinburgh’s Festival Fringe Society has expanded its range of smartphone and tablet apps in time for the start of the 2011 Fringe today (Friday).

Building on the success of last year’s iPhone app the Fringe Society has now brought out an app for the many Android phone users as well as an iPad app to allow visitors to Edinburgh to check the content of the programme whilst on the move.

As well as being able to browse the Fringe Programme and see what shows are on offer with a live feed from the Virgin Money Half Price Hut, users of the iPhone and Android apps will, for the first time, be able to buy their tickets via their phone. As well as this the ‘Nearby Now’ tool will allow phone users to see what is happening close to their location.

Speaking at the start of the 65th annual Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Fringe Society Chief Executive, Kath M Mainland said:

"One of the main objectives of the Festival Fringe Society is to get information on Fringe shows out to the maximum number of Fringe goers. It’s great that the technology now available is enabling us to widen the reach of the Fringe listings, and we hope that this, combined with the increased number of ticket collections points this year, will make it easier than ever for as many people as possible to find out what’s going on and buy tickets for the greatest show on earth."

The Fringe Society’s iPhone and Android apps were developed in partnership with Edinburgh based mobile development company Kotikan who were the original developers of last year’s ground-breaking iPhone app.

Gavin Dutch, Managing Director of Kotikan said:

"For Kotikan it's hugely exciting to be again involved in creating world leading technology for the world's leading arts festival. Having broken new ground last year with the Fringe iPhone app, we’re pleased to be able to bring the Fringe mobile experience to Android users as well. Most significantly, for the first time this year customers will be able to buy tickets from both apps. This makes the Fringe the largest event in world to offer mobile ticket purchase."

Click here for full details on the Fringe 2011 smartphone and tablet apps

Notes to editors:
  • The Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs from the 5 to 29 August.
  • The Fringe Society’s apps are available from Apple’s App Store and the Android Market respectively.
  • This year the Fringe Society has two new ticket collection points; one located at the Mound Precinct in the Virgin Money Half Price Hut and one at the University of Edinburgh Visitor Centre at 2 Charles Street.
  • For further information please contact the Fringe Society Media Office on 0131 240 1919.
Published 6 August 2011