6 Cool Apps From Uncle Sam
The US government now offers more than 100 handy apps for mobile devices. Check out new apps users rate highly.
![](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt69509c9116440be8/blt52ca19ce03c627cf/64cb57c13e366ec3e2656815/MobileGov.jpg?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
If you ever wondered about the speed of your mobile broadband, there's a new app that can assess its performance and share the details right on your smartphone. Speed Test, released as part of the Federal Communications Commission's "Measuring Broadband America" program, is just one of more than 100 apps available from the federal government.
Because it collects data, which is then used by the FCC to create a detailed picture of mobile broadband performance nationwide, Speed Test raises some questions about user privacy. The FCC says its aim with the program and the app is to create open information, a top goal of the Digital Government Strategy. The agency claims that it won't collect personally identifiable data in the process; instead, it will use the anonymous results to improve both cellular and WiFi speeds on mobile devices. A website launching later this year will allow users to view Speed Test results and download the data.
Apps.USA.gov, a website that houses all the apps created by federal agencies -- and the Spanish-language version apps.GobiernoUSA.gov -- got a mobile-friendly update in April 2012. A "full stack" responsive redesign of the mobile app galleries has resulted in websites that are more responsive to the screen size of various devices, according to the General Services Administration. The GSA launched the redesign as part of a broader "mobile first" initiative, which promotes the idea that websites should first be designed for mobile devices.
The number of apps on Apps.USA.gov is growing monthly as agencies continue to transition to mobile platforms. Under the Digital Government Strategy, agencies were required to mobile-enable at least two priority customer-facing services in the past year or so. Agencies also had to create APIs to allow developers to access government code.
What's next for "mobile government"? More sharing among agencies to build government-wide expertise in mobile; increased focus on user experience; emphasis on code sharing; and agencies rethinking their data structures and creating content models, Jacob Parcell, manager of mobile programs at the GSA's Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies, said in a recent post on the Mobile Gov Blog.
InformationWeek Government has been closely following the emergence of mobile government. In March 2013, we profiled 10 Helpful Apps From Uncle Sam. What follows is a slideshow of the latest apps released by agencies in the past two months, selected based on the highest user ratings. All the apps are free and available for download on most popular smartphones.
Elena Malykhina has written for The Wall Street Journal, Scientific American, Adweek, and Newsday. She covers the federal government, including NASA's space missions, for InformationWeek.
Alternative Fueling Station Locator, released in December by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, is an app designed to help the public find fueling stations that offer electricity, natural gas, biodiesel, E85, propane, or hydrogen. It uses information from the Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center, which houses a database of the locations of more than 15,000 alternative fueling stations throughout the US. The app is currently available for the iPhone, and allows users to select a station from a map or a list to view contact info and other details.
Planning to clean the gutters or paint the house this year? Ladder Safety is another app released in December, and can be downloaded on both iPhone and Android smartphones. Created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the tool focuses on the safety of extension-ladder users. It has a multimodal indicator, which is an interactive feature that relies on visual and sound signals to assist users in positioning an extension ladder at the best angle. The app also provides graphic-oriented interactive reference materials, safety guidelines, and checklists for extension ladder use -- including selection, inspection, and accessorizing.
The Department of Education's IDEAL Currency Identifier is an app especially designed for people with vision problems. The app uses advanced image recognition technology to read a bill and provide an audible response indicating the bill's denomination. Currency Identifier can recognize three generations of US currency notes beginning in 1993 and doesn't require Internet connectivity. Those with Android smartphones can use the app by placing their device on top of, in the center of, or in parallel with the bill they wish to identify. But they must first enable or install text-to-speech on their phone in order for the app to work properly.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has introduced two apps that help users keep track of, store, and view financial payments and other transfers of value from manufacturers of covered drugs, devices, biologicals, or medical supplies. Open Payments for Physicians is intended for medical professionals that are affected by the Physician Payment Sunshine Act and its regulations. Open Payments for Industry is a version of the same app for manufacturers and group purchasing organizations. Both apps can be downloaded on iPhone and Android devices.
-
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like