Gold medal apps to help you enjoy London 2012

As the London 2012 Olympics gets underway and thousands of athletes limber up for the starting gun, the app world has been busy pulling off some gold medal performances of its own.

Here are some of the best to download for iOS and Android to use alongside all that sport-watching.

London 2012: Official Join In App - Free - iOS/Android
If you're heading off to any of the events in London or around the rest of the UK, then you'll find all you need to know right here... or here. Packed full of information about each venue, each sport and the Olympic Park itself, you'll find it indispensable for finding your way around and getting to the start line on time.

London 2012: Official Results App - Free - iOS/Android
If you're not heading to any of the events, then you'll at least want to know who's qualifying and who's in the running - or swimming - for Gold. Until the Games kick off we've no real idea how fast this app will be at updating the results and leader boards but it's the official one so it should surely be first past the post with the news.

London 2012: Official Mobile Game (Premium) - £1.99 - iOS
Have some fun and feel like you're taking part with the official mobile game of the Games. It might well come in handy when you're stuck on the tube or trains or buses on your way to see the athletes compete for real. Try your hand at Kayaking, Archery, Hurdles and many other disciplines and you can buy yourself extra strength and stamina as an in-app purchase to keep you on course for a medal.

Weather+ - Free - iOS/Android
Right now, the sun is shining. But with rain predicted - or showers at least - for the opening ceremony, it could be best to keep an eye on whether you'll need a T-shirt or hooded-jacket if it decides to pour down. This app is great for the latest forecasts and provides a decent look ahead so you won't get caught out.

Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace - 69p - iOS
With this app, you don't even need to be visiting the capital of the UK to enjoy one of its most famous tourist attractions but if you are, then it is great to have alongside viewing it in person. With details about all the customs and traditions, it's packed with pomp and pageantry that will bring the Royal ceremony to life.

Secret London - 69p - iOS
Go off the beaten track while visiting London for the Games with this iPhone and iPad app, picking some of the hottest spots around town based on recommendations from users. There are now more than 125 gems to visit and enjoy from bars to hidden landmarks to shops.

Tom Daley Dive 2012 - Free - iOS
As one of Team GB's brightest hopefuls, Tom Daley is carrying the weight of expectation on his shoulders. And you can see just how hard his sport actually is to pull off with this simulation allowing you to execute perfect dives using a virtual Tom. There's plenty of twists, turns and somersaults to enjoy here.

London Tube Deluxe - 69p - iOS
With a full map of all of London's tube lines, this could not be more useful for getting around, to and from Olympic events. More importantly, it takes in a live feed from Transport for London updating any line closures or delays. If you're on Android, then Tube Map is a similar app for the Google mobile operating system.

Airbnb - Free - iOS/Android
Not just useful for London, but for travelling anywhere in the world, this app has taken the tourism industry by storm in recent months. Connecting people who need somewhere to stay with people who have room to rent in their homes, it provides an altogether different travelling experience from private apartments to private islands.

Yelp - Free - iOS/Android
Looking for somewhere to eat then check out a listing in Yelp. Using location-based technology, you'll find places nearby including bars, cafes and restaurants as well as being able to search for shops and other things of interest. Most interestingly, you can be guided by the reviews from local people rating each place - to ensure you head to the one that will provide the best experience.

BBC iPlayer - Free - iOS/Android
With so many sports happening, there's just not enough time to watch it all. But that's where TV on the move and catch-up comes in. Having BBC iPlayer on your phone or tablet means you can watch the action wherever you are - quite possibly while standing in a queue for security waiting to get into one of the venues.

London Air - Free - iOS/Android
Staying healthy throughout the Games is the top priority of every athlete but it must also be high on the priority list for spectators too. This app from Kings College London is monitoring the air quality at different Olympic sites to ensure you know how fresh the stuff you are breathing in is. It's also available as an app for the Chrome internet browser.

Fanatix - Free - iOS
A bit like Twitter but purely for sports, this app will let you chat about what's happening at all the events with other fans. Sport is meant to be a social experience anyway, so what's wrong with extending that to social media so it's just as if you were chatting to others in the stadium.