As Hurricane Irene threatens the East Coast, FEMA has introduced a new mobile app to get information about how to prepare for and recover from hurricanes and other disasters.
Administrator Craig Fugate, who’s been quite busy this week, demonstrates the new app in a video on the FEMA blog. The tool allows users to: Keep reading →
A leading voice in the world of technology says state and local governments must drive innovative as well as cost-effective programs in order to survive the current fiscal climate.
In light of budget constraints across the country, TechAmerica’s State and Local Government (SLG) Board of Directors has released new policy recommendations on how to employ IT to make improvements to major programs and support operations under challenging fiscal conditions. Keep reading →
As the Army eyes handing out smart phones to every soldier, one stark fact stands out: Android phones are much more susceptible to malware attacks than are iPhones.
And the number of malware attacks on Android phones is increasing rapidly, with the computer security firm McAfee saying in its quarterly security report that, “Android-specific malware moved to number one” position of mobile systems attacked.
By leveraging privacy and analytic capability other social media platforms lack, the public sector could find a proverbial breath of fresh air with Google Plus.
Leading authorities on social media marketing and search engine optimization discussed the pros and cons of the newest platform in the pack during a Social Media Today webinar Tuesday that drew more than 200 attendees. Keep reading →
The new National Mall App from the National Park Service allows iPhone or iPad users to take along a tour guide during a stroll around Washington, D.C.’s memorials and monuments.
The newly released app allows users to take virtual tours, view maps, send postcards and get news updates on more than 70 sites. Keep reading →
While many government leaders might give lip service to the merits of creativity and innovation in the public sector, few actually put the idea into practice, according to a recent survey and ranking of innovation in federal workplaces.
Beyond that, the survey might actually offer some motivation. Keep reading →
The National Science Foundation has launched two new multimedia-based mobile products that offer access to breaking science and engineering news along with engaging images and video from around the world.
Science360 Radio, available on the iPhone and iPad, focuses on the latest developments in scientific research, providing a variety of science topics with continuous audio programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from mainstream media outlets, colleges and universities, and more through mobile technology. Keep reading →
A new free mobile app from the FBI allows parents to instantly share crucial information with authorities if a child goes missing.
Child ID app-the first mobile application created by the FBI-provides a convenient place to electronically store photos and vital information about your children, such as height and weight, that can be show to security or police officers on the spot. It also allows users to quickly and easily e-mail the information to authorities. The FBI and iTunes will not collect or store any photos or information that you enter in the app. All data resides solely on the user’s mobile device unless it’s sent to authorities. Keep reading →
The Government Accountability Office has identified a number of leading green IT practices used by federal, state, and local government and private-sector organizations that could save millions of dollars if implemented by additional agencies.
According to a GAO report released last week, several agencies have taken steps to implement federal green IT requirements but aren’t able to effectively measure the results of those efforts.
GAO recommended the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in conjunction with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, direct agencies to implement the leading practices as well as develop baselines for their green IT-related goals and, where possible, targets that measure energy or cost savings or other quantifiable benefits. Keep reading →
While some celebrated legislation approved Friday to end the partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration, others preferred to highlight the selflessness of airport inspectors who stayed busy ensuring the public’s safety without a paycheck for the past two weeks.
Among the 4,000 government workers whose jobs were affected, 40 airport safety inspectors who check airport lighting, runway markings and other features that are part of federal safety guidelines were asked to work without pay and cover their own travel expenses during the shutdown, the New York Times reported. Keep reading →