This is one in a regular series on the latest innovation in mobile apps and mobile technology in the federal government.
From Smokey Bear to “mobile hogs,” the Department of Agriculture is moving at breakneck speed to integrate mobile apps into every aspect of the far-flung and multi-dimensional department. Keep reading →
The Forest Service is among several federal agencies making the most of mobile technology. As part of its “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires” campaign, the agency has integrated PSA videos, social media and a Smokey Bear app to teach youngsters (and their older counterparts) to pay attention when burning outdoors, whether that involves campfires or the errant cigarette. Among the features of the app are a step-by-step guide to building and extinguishing campfires as well as an interactive map of current wildfires across the country.
A related application is fire prediction software for mobile devices. This software, according to the Forest Service, can help manage forest fires and wild fires by putting data into a device that can help show where the fire may go next. While cautioning that firefighters shouldn’t rely solely on the devices, the Forest Service says the software can be a useful tool in the field. Keep reading →
The federal government is gaining traction in the mobile application arena with the launch of a redesigned version of the USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov mobile apps galleries on Wednesday. The new design, developed by the General Services Administration, makes it easier for users to access apps and mobile sites via their preferred smartphone, tablet or operating system.
It’s called Responsive Design, and it’s intended to connect with the public in many new ways. The design also presents content based on the device, providing device-specific apps for BlackBerries, Android, iPhone and iPad users. And it’s a road map for other agencies embracing mobile apps. Keep reading →
An annual study of internet security vulnerabilities released today concluded that “2011 was the first year that mobile malware presented a tangible threat to businesses and consumers.”
The findings, released by Symantec Corp., showed that mobile vulnerabilities nearly doubled, increading by 93% in 2011, with a particular rise in threats targeting the Android operating system. Keep reading →
The TechAmerica Foundation announced key recommendations on Friday for research initiatives and policies to enhance education across the nation through technology.
The recommendations came from a report compiled by the Recommendations for Education and Advancement of Learning (REAL) Agenda Commission, made up of leaders in science and technology in government and industry. Their intent is to advance the goals of Digital Promise, a national center founded to spur breakthrough technologies that aims to transform the way teachers teach and students learn. Keep reading →
COMMENTARY: Yesterday Todd Park, Federal CTO, used Twitter to answers questions about “big data”. Well sort of because while it reportedly generated 413 tweets, reaching an audience of 3.5 million, I counted only 131 actual questions, only 9 actual answers, and 7 retweets – so it really was a big data event with small results like so many these days.
Ironic, given the point of all of this health data activity by Todd Park and his predecessor, Aneesh Chopra, was to release lots of government data (big and small) to foster innovation investment and job growth.
Keep reading →
The rapid embrace of computer tablets in and outside of government has escalated the debate among federal agencies over the merits of designing native applications for tablets.
But if the Government Printing Office offers any indication, the prevailing approach is expected to be for agencies to channel development resources into applications that recognize and adapt to a variety of mobile devices, rather than concentrating on specific products, according to Lisa LaPlant, GPO’s lead program planner for programs strategy and technology (pictured above center). Keep reading →
When unusual activity shows up on a credit card, the company calls the holder – generally the same day. That kind of time frame will soon apply to routine Internal Revenue Service audits – which now happen years after you file your taxes.
IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman imagines a day in the not-too-distant future when, on the same day a tax return is filed electronically, IRS software can detect missing income or stock dividends. Keep reading →
The Food and Drug Administration has turned a mobile tablet that it calls the “Egg Pad” into a virtual detective squad to uncover the presence of tainted eggs and health violations during farm inspections.
Using a Panasonic Toughbook and software developed for the FDA by Booz Allen Hamilton, the Egg Pad guides inspectors through a series of questions. Based on the answers, the device brings up additional questions and information the inspectors need to answer. Keep reading →
Officials at ElectionMall Technologies Inc. are counting on cloud computing to help achieve company’s the goal of giving candidates-from those running for national positions to candidates in school board elections-the tools they need to manage efficient and effective political campaigns.
The company, founded in 1999, has migrated its suite of Web-based campaign and election applications to Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform and formally released Version 2 of the suite, called Campaign Cloud, this week. Keep reading →