Posted by Taylor Gillespie

The United States Government has been releasing applications for mobile smartphone devices for a while, and now they have consolidated their applications under one umbrella at apps.usa.gov. They currently offer applications for a variety of platforms including Android, iPhone, and Blackberry devices. And some applications are presented as plain “mobile-friendly” web sites that can be accessed from any web-enabled device regardless of platform.

Not all applications are developed for use on every platform, because each individual agency “works one-on-one with the separate platform and signs a terms of service agreement with them, … it is up to the individual agency to decide which platform to use. At this time, there is no coordinated plan to offer each and every app on every platform.” Despite some applications being exclusive to Andriod or iPhone, the variety and utility of the applications and their availability to anyone for the taking at no cost make them worthwhile to check out.

One application is the FBI’s Most Wanted List. It is an iPhone application that includes “the Top Ten Most Wanted, Most Wanted Terrorists, and Missing Children.” Along with the lists, the application provides a “picture and background information … for each individual [and] also provides a link to submit tip information directly to the FBI.” Use it to be a hero on the go.

Another application is the Recall list from the recall.gov site. It is an Android application and also a mobile website. The application immensely helps parents “whether you’re at your child’s day care center or a yard sale, whether you’re at a store or at home, you can now type a product’s name into your phone and learn immediately whether that product has been recalled because of a safety concern.” Beyond a list of recalled products, “you can also see photos of recalled products and learn what to do with recalled products in your homes.”

Perhaps you are traveling abroad, got into some trouble and need to find the closest embassy. Maybe you own a car that uses alternative fuels and need to find the nearest station that carries your fuel. The next disaster strikes and you need to turn to FEMA and follow certain procedures. You need postal information. Or to keep track of the latest from the EPA. Follow NASA missions. Test your mobile broadband speed with the FCC. Count calories with the USDA. Or maybe your needs are simply to keep track of the latest government news. For all these scenarios and more, there’s an app for that at apps.usa.gov.

About the Author: Taylor is a Staff Writer for WebProNews