NASA (Free. iOS and Android) Beautiful pictures of space and full of facts this app would be a great tool for children and teens doing a report or for adults looking to stay current on NASA news.
Ask Karen (Free. iOS, Android, and web) Created by the Department of Agriculture this app allows users to ask questions such as: “How long can food last in a power failure,” or “How can I tell if a restaurant has adequately cooked my fish?” or even “How can you tell which cantaloupes are fresh in the store?” and the app will return helpful information. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a food safety expert is on hand to answer any questions you might have about food and food safety. Since many people die from food poisoning it can literally save a life.
National Cancer Institute (Free. iOS, Android, Blackberry, and web)The app has a detailed dictionary of cancer terms, topics and up-to-date research. It gives users helpful advice about what to ask their doctor in the event of a cancer diagnosis, and can suggest new treatment plans that your general practitioner may not know of yet.
iUSAJobs (iOS) USAJOBS(Android) This free app created by the Office of Personnel Management lists the open positions with in all branches of the Federal Government. The app requires users to register on the website first and then login to the app. The app will save job searches, send customized notifications, and keep track of applications users have started or finished.
My TSA (Free. iOS, Android, and web) Can I bring ____? Allows users to ask if a specific item is allowed through security. The complete guide is available along with videos, TSA PreCheck information, airport status, estimated wait time, and feedback. Easy-to-use with useful information and an intuitive user interface, a very nice looking and well functioning app.
WISER Wireless Information For Emergency Responders (Free. iOS, Android, and Blackberry) WISER is really designed for hazmat teams and other first responders who would most likely be trained before using it. A searchable application with information it explains how to handle hazardous material. For example users could look up how to safely handle and dispose of radioactive Cesium. It can also be used to find what symptoms to look for when determining whether people have been exposed to a certain toxin. There is access to the Hazardous Substances Databank maintained by the National Library of Medicine. A lot of information that can be found, it asks what type of user is accessing the app so that it can tailor the user interface to be of best use. It has a section to help plan for different emergency situations.
FBI's Most Wanted (Free. iOS only) Lets users see the 10 most wanted fugitives in the country, get information about missing children, see alerts by state and even submit tips to the FBI.
Alternative Fueling Station Locator (Free. iOS only) Created by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the app is designed to help the public find fueling stations that offer electricity, natural gas, biodiesel, E85, propane, or hydrogen. Using 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.
Ladder Safety (Free. iOS and Android) Created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the app aim to keep extension-ladder users safe. The app has a great interactive feature that uses visual and audio signals to assist users in positioning an extension ladder at a safe angle. The app also gives users graphic-oriented interactive reference materials, safety guidelines, and an extension ladder checklist which includes topics such as: selection, inspection, and accessorizing.
IDEAL Currency Identifier (Free. Android only) This Department of Education app is 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. Users must enable text-to-speech, after the start-up banner load the user must dismiss it, on first use allow 30-45 seconds to load and update, and it can have problems with mangled bills. It can identify Identify the following notes: $1 (1963 - present); $2 notes (1976 - present); $5 notes (1993 - present); and, $10, $20, $50, and $100 notes (1990 - present). Just position the bill under the phone's camera, does not need an Internet connection.
FCC Speed Test (Free. iOS and Android) The app allows users to accurately see the performance of their broadband connection. It provides an in-depth view of all performance factors, including download and upload speeds, latency, and packet loss. Speed Test runs periodically in the background and automatically performs tests when the smartphone is not in use (users can limit how much data it uses a month in its testing). The FCC has stated that the gathered data is anonymous and is used to build a map of mobile broadband performance across the country.
Recalls.gov (Free. Android only) Users can see all the recalls from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Agriculture. Users can access drop down menus to navigate to a product category or search by keywords. There are pictures of the recalled products and instructions for what to do or who to contact. Consumers can make a safety complaint with the "Report Incident" feature.
I chose to focus on apps that were "native" meaning that the information is accessed through a program "application" downloaded to a mobile device. I also decided to focus on apps that were interesting or useful to most people. There is a list of all the apps created by different federal government agencies, both mobile web and native, are available at:
http://www.usa.gov/mobileapps.shtml
