Mobile | Socialfeds

GSA is Looking for Federal Mobile Applications

GSA is collecting data about which federal agencies have mobile applications — apps that are specifically designed to be accessed via an iPhone or other mobile device.

Examples could include: accessing real-time weather data and maps, looking up product recalls with a barcode #, locating a nearby government facility, getting evaluation ratings about a health care professional, etc. (As one example, see NASA: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/iphone/spaceimages/).

They are looking for apps that have already developed, as well as those that are under development and may be available in the next several weeks.

GSA has put together a very simple survey (just a few Qs) to make it easier for you to share what you have, and later share it with everyone:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/92DYQWP

At this time, they only need to collect data on FEDERAL apps. But if you’re a state or local agency and have something great to share, feel free to share it as well.

They do have quick turnaround to collect the data, so please respond no later than COB this Wednesday, March 3.

This is a great opportunity to GSA about new, innovative tools you’ve created that make it easier for people to access key government information and services — no matter where they’re located.

Posted
March 2nd, 2010

Filed
Mobile

Tagged
gsa
iphone
Mobile

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Boston Announces First iPhone App for City Complaints

Boston city officials will soon debut the cities first official iPhone application, which will allow residents to snap photos of neighborhood nuisances - nasty potholes, graffiti-stained walls, blown street lights - and e-mail them to City Hall to be fixed.

City officials say the application, dubbed Citizen Connect, is the first of its kind in the nation. It was designed as an extension of the city’s 24-hour complaint hotline for the younger set, making the filing of complaints quicker and easier for iPhone users.

The application, which will be free to download from Apple, will allow residents to use the global positioning system function on their iPhones to pinpoint the precise location of the problem for City Hall. After submitting a complaint, users will get a tracking number, so they can pester city officials if the problem persists.

In the past, residents have grumbled that their complaints disappeared into a bureaucratic black hole. Some said they had to call the city hotline repeatedly to get results. A new computer system Menino installed last fall has quickened response times.

The iPhone initiative is part of a push to make City Hall younger, hipper, and generally more user-friendly, a campaign that Menino has intensified during the mayor’s race.

The application was largely the brainchild of Nigel Jacob, a 36-year-old mayoral aide who totes a silver MacBook covered in bumper stickers and holds the exalted title senior adviser for emerging technology.

City officials say they expect to pay Connected Bits, the New Hampshire firm that designed the software, about $25,000 for technical support this year, and then review whether the cost is worth it.

[Read More]

Posted
July 7th, 2009

Filed
Mobile

Tagged
boston iphone app
gov 2.0
gov20
government 2.0
internet
iphone
Mobile
mobile content
social media
technology

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Veterans Affairs Launches Blog, Mobile and More

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently relaunched their site Returning Servicemembers for OEF/OIF veterans. The new update is aimed at better connecting with the younger demographic of returning soldiers. The site features the VA’s first public-facing blog, a tag cloud of popular terms, and social networking links to the VA on Youtube, Facebook, and Secondlife. The VA also now has a mobile site at m.va.gov with news, videos, facility locations, contact info and more.

Check out the new updates!

Posted
January 29th, 2009

Filed
Blogs
Mobile
Social Networking

Tagged
blog
gov 2.0
internet
social media
technology
va
veterans affairs
web 2.0

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Government Gadget Gallery

USA.gov has put together the Government Gadget Gallery, a collection of gadgets (or widgets) from around the federal government, to embed into your blog, homepage, email and more.

The gallery went live in December with a small number of gadgets. The categories currently available are:

Defense and International Gadgets
Thank the troops…
Energy, Environment, and Agriculture Gadgets
Environmental tips, Earth Day countdown…
Family, Home, and Community Gadgets
U.S. Postal Service Track and Confirm…
Health Gadgets
Drug safety, drug recalls, drug search, medical products…
Public Safety and Law Gadgets
FBI’s most wanted fugitives, FBI news, predators, missing persons, FBI history…
Reference and General Government Gadgets
Breaking Government News, GovGab blog…

What gadgets would you like to see added to the gallery? govgabwidget
View the complete list here and check back often for updates.

Posted
January 26th, 2009

Filed
Gadgets/Widgets
Mobile

Tagged
gadgets
gov 2.0
internet
Mobile
technology
usa.gov
web 2.0
widgets

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Center for Disease Control Mobile Update

CDC’s mobile site, m.cdc.gov, now includes updated content, including Winter Weather Safety and CDC Features, which covers a variety of health and safety topics to be updated weekly.

CDC Features (health and safety topics updated weekly)
Emergency Preparedness and Response (including winter weather safety)
Seasonal Flu
Travelers Health (Travel Notices)

Posted
January 22nd, 2009

Filed
Mobile

Tagged
gov 2.0
internet
technology

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Don’t leave home Without It - EPA Goes Mobile

News Release (HQ): Don’t leave home Without It - EPA Goes Mobile with the Launch of m.epa.gov body { font-size: 12px; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; } .physicalAddress { color: gray; font-size: 10px; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: 100; }Press Release from EPA:

(Washington, DC – Dec. 9, 2008) Why not blog on important environmental issues while waiting to pay for holiday gifts at the mall? No, you don’t have to ask Santa for this present. EPA is launching one of the first government Web sites tailored specifically for cell phone users: http://m.epa.gov.

The world is getting more mobile, with estimates of more than 250 million cell phones in use in the U.S. – and EPA is going with you. The site has been tailored to load fast on a small screen, providing EPA information that visitors might need when they are away from their large-screen desktop computer. Services available on m.epa.gov include:

how to contact EPA – national and regional offices
Find environmental information by ZIP code
EPA news releases
Greenversations blog, including the question of the week
links to other government mobile websites.

Over the coming months, EPA will be adding more features. We invite readers to help us improve – there’s a feedback form right on the home page

EPA’s mobile site: http://m.epa.gov

Posted
December 11th, 2008

Filed
Mobile

Tagged
EPA
government 2.0
mobile content

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President-Elect Barack Obama Engages in Government 2.0

Government 2.0 - Obama’s First Weekly Address!

This past Saturday, President-Elect Barack Obama released his first weekly address via YouTube.com.

Whether you were an Obama or McCain supporter during the elections, you have to respect Obama’s ability to communicate with the people via new mediums. Obama has taken the United States first step towards “Government 2.0″.

View the Video

Posted
November 12th, 2008

Filed
Blogs
Gadgets/Widgets
Mobile
Social Networking

Tagged
barack obama

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Our Social President

Finally, a president that can use the internet. Or, at least, has interns that can. Whatever. Here’s a rundown of how you can keep tabs on Obama in the White House.

Yes, he has his own social network.