Here’s a look at some of the most popular
government-related
mobile apps that are available today. From those with an obvious
political
agenda (i.e. Organizing for America) to those created to help patch potholes (SeeClickFix), there are a wide variety of useful apps on the market, many available for free.
A hot area is local government infrastructure and services: SeeClickFix, YourGOV,
GORequest,
and GOV2.0 all exist for the exact same purpose, to pass on
non-emergency information to local governments. I did not find one app to
be so
much more appealing than any other in terms of functionality. However,
since
they require the active participation of your local government to be truly effective, you'll
want to find apps that include your area as a participating region.
Obama fans will enjoy the Organizing for America
app, where
they can even donate directly from the application to the Obama
campaign. The app also provides a good source of
information regarding events and gatherings and ways for Obama
supporters to
get more involved.
My personal favorite app, one that I actually find
myself
using is Visible Vote. Though the
main purpose of the app is to vote on issues, I like it just to be able
to view
a good rundown of issues relevant to my region. While it does get good reviews
I
maintain my stance
that the relevance of the app depends upon the amount of government
reaction. This concern continues
as a theme for me throughout many of the applications that claim to send
connect citizens with government, it all depends on whether or not the
government officials/organizations are actually reading the data and
taking it
seriously. I suspect that many of these apps will lose their novelty if
the
users feel they are voicing their opinion to a black hole.
|
App
|
Price
|
Category
|
Functionality
|
Pros
|
Cons
|
Supported Platforms
|
|
YourGOV
|
Free iPhone download, unknown
cost to
government organizations
|
One way communication
|
Citizen request application that
allows users
to report non-emergency issues and service requests such as potholes,
fallen
trees and vandalism.
|
GPS location finder makes it
easy to use
|
Depends on the participation of
various
government organizations
|
iPhone only
|
|
VisibleVote
|
Free
|
One way communication
|
Users cast votes on a
variety of issues
(from the Affordable Health Choice Act to the Stimulus Package)
|
Highlights the key arguments in
an issue,
allows users to quickly register their opinions
|
Results are faxed to government
officials,
there is no guarantee anyone is actually looking at this data
|
Web, iPhone, Blackberry,
Windows, Mac, Android
|
|
WhiteHouse.gov
|
Free
|
News
|
Delivers updates and news in
real time from
the White House
|
Live video streaming makes
staying up to date
very simple
|
|
iPhone
|
|
Real
Time Congress
|
Free
|
News
|
Provides real-time information
about Congress
on your mobile device including actions, meetings and documents.
|
Provides all real time
information and access
to documents
|
Likely not an app for the
average citizen,
it's too detailed and not targeted enough
|
iPhone, Android
|
|
Organizing for America
|
Free
|
News, Events, Communication
|
A source for news and
information and an event
finder to help individuals get involved. But the most interesting
feature is
the ability to actually "Call Congress", where using your location
you receive a list of your local representatives, their phone number
and a
suggested script.
|
Very intuitive and easy to use,
encourages
action and participation
|
Not politically agnostic
|
iPhone and iPad
|
|
GORequest
|
Free iPhone download, unknown
cost to
government organizations
|
One way communication
|
Citizen request application that
allows users
to report non-emergency issues and service requests such as potholes,
fallen
trees and vandalism.
|
GPS location finder makes it
easy to use
|
Depends on the participation of
various
government organizations
|
iPhone only
|
|
Gov2.0
|
Free iPhone download, unknown
cost to
government organizations
|
One way communication
|
Citizen request application that
allows users
to report non-emergency issues and service requests such as potholes,
fallen
trees and vandalism.
|
GPS location finder makes it
easy to use
|
Depends on the participation of
various
government organizations
|
iPhone only
|
|
US Gov.Index
|
$0.99
|
Reference
|
Directory that provides access
to thousands of
U.S. government agencies and departments.
|
Good search capabilities and
comprehensive
list of agencies
|
The info really isn't that hard
to find in a
Google search, the app is a bit redundant
|
iPhone only
|
|
SeeClickFix
|
Free
|
Multi-way communication
|
Citizen request application that
allows users
to report non-emergency issues and service requests such as potholes,
fallen
trees and vandalism.
|
GPS location finder makes it
easy to use, you
can view/comment/vote on issues submitted by other users
|
Depends on the participation of
various
government organizations
|
Twitter, web, iPhone,
Blackberry, Android
|
