When it comes to live streaming, nothing is more exciting than a sports event. By nature, live streams are already highly engaging— they keep people on the edge of their seat, waiting for the next development or for something unexpected to unfold. But with live sports streams, an unexpected delay can ruin the entire experience of viewing a game or even in real time. After all, watching an instant replay isn’t quite the same as seeing a key player make a great pass that leads to a killer goal.
Most fans already have their favorite viewing platform… but landing on a solid streaming service isn’t always enough for those who plan to watch on a smartphone. Unlike at-home devices, connectivity, battery life, and even audio are huge considerations when viewing on the go.
Aside from streaming live games and major events, optimizing a smartphone for seamless latency is also a factor for sports bettors. Top brands like Unibet now offer live betting, which allows punters to wager on micro-outcomes as a live game unfolds.
It’s exciting, dynamic, and challenging—but punters will want to make sure they’ve optimized their betting device for a seamless experience. Whether live betting or not, a live stream’s quality is directly affected by a device’s latency, refresh rate, and resolution quality.
These aspects come down to hardware, which means they can’t be altered after a device has been purchased (though some specifications may be available for an upgrade). So, how can an Android device be optimized for live sports streams?
How to Optimize Android Devices for Live Sports Streams
Cover the Basics
First, let’s review the basics of sports streaming on an Android device. Today, most sports broadcasting services have dedicated apps, from Sky Sports to ESPN to the NFL App. Typically, live streaming directly from an app is the best option for a quality experience.
But keep in mind that the opposite might be true—if an app’s live sports streams are lagging, try going into a mobile browser and launching the stream that way from the app’s official site. Aside from switching to a browser (or vice versa), here are a few other easy tricks:
- Find a secure and private internet connection. The less competition for bandwidth, the better the live stream.
- Close all running apps not used in the live stream. Also, consider deleting apps that are no longer in use.
- Go to settings > apps. Go through the apps to delete cache and temporary files. This will bog down a phone and potentially slow down a live stream.
Look into Optimizers
Luckily for Android users, there are plenty of choices when it comes to optimizers. These are third-party apps that tackle certain maintenance challenges for Android users. For example, there are cleaner optimizers, which can declutter a phone’s junk files in order to improve streaming speeds.
Apps such as Systweak’s Smart Phone Cleaner: Phone Booster and RAM Optimizer and Clean Master—Antivirus, Applock, and Cleaner will regularly remove clutter to keep streaming speeds tight. Additionally, Clean Master will help provide secure Wi-Fi for those accessing public routers.
Other optimizers, such as Booster & Cleaner, will also contribute to battery life. Because streaming apps drain a phone’s power, it’s important to consider aspects like saving battery power on the go.
Accessorize for Success
So far, we’ve covered how to optimize a sport’s stream from a software perspective. Now, let’s cover which types of accessories are practical. First and foremost, battery packs will save an Android user plenty of headaches—and greatly extend their remote viewing time. Products from MyCharge, Anker PowerCore, and Mophie PowerStation are popular with Android users.
Aside from battery life, some users prefer to use anti-glare screen protectors. This is especially helpful for those trying to catch a live game in a sunny spot, like a park. Another common trick is to stick to old-fashioned headphones that use cords rather than Bluetooth wireless headphones, which will quickly drain the battery.
