SPI President & CEO Mary Scott Nabers
What’s your favorite app? A few years ago, most of us would have struggled to answer such a question. Now, almost everyone has a favorite. Applications are changing the way we live and thousands of new ones are being launched every day.
Currently, 90 percent of the 318.9 million American adults have cell phones. Of those, 58 percent own a smartphone, and they all have mobile apps. As of 2014, Google Play had produced 1.3 million apps and the Apple App Store offered 1.2 million of them for sale. Juniper Research estimated that in 2014, the direct and indirect revenues from sales of mobile applications totaled more than $25 billion.
Applications are intended to provide efficiency. Today, consumers can interact with people they could never reach in the past. And, government can provide essential services to citizens with almost no personal interaction. For instance, it is no longer necessary for people to purchase paper maps. Instead, by just clicking an icon, people can find all kinds of data about local streets, restaurants, weather conditions and entertainment venues. City officials strive to make it easy for citizens and tourists to enjoy being in their part of the world.
New York City has a population of almost 8.5 million and there are thousands of city-based apps. One free app available through the Apple and Google app stores is called NYC311. With it, users are able to directly connect to city employees and law enforcement when there is a need to report something such as illegal parking, noise complaints or damaged roadways. The interactive app also allows citizens to check on city projects, request data or make payments.
In Virginia, the state launched an app that provides users with real-time access and notifications of business opportunities from state and local governmental agencies and public universities. This is quite unique, but local taxpayers love it because it gives them visibility into public expenditures and allows them to follow procurement activities. California has an app designed to encourage “designated drivers.”
California’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) launched an app that gives discounts and other incentives to designated drivers. The app lists names and locations of businesses offering deals, allowing designated drivers the ability to easily navigate through the city. And, it promotes selecting “designated drivers” for social outings that are going to involve alcoholic beverages.
In Montana, there is an app for citizens to pay state income taxes using only 3G or 4G cell phone networks. Arkansas has an app that provides prospective college students with data to help them estimate college costs and apply for state scholarships.
Cities aren’t the only public entities getting in on this action. Many federal agencies are releasing new apps as a result of President Obama’s 2012 Digital Government plan. The President’s plan requires federal agencies to make services accessible to mobile users and to release more government information and data through public Web sites.
The Veterans Affairs Department (VA) released an app called Veterans Affairs Mobile. This particular app provides information about VA facilities in one central place and it allows users to search for the nearest VA office or hospital using their current location.
The Transportation Security Administration’s app provides coveted information for travelers. The app displays lists of frequently asked questions including information such as real-time airport delays. The app also provides other information, like how long security lines are at various airports and what is allowed or not allowed on a flight.
Most public apps are relatively inexpensive. Citizens love them and there is absolutely no end in sight. Better start thinking about which app you consider your absolute favorite.