US government posts more mobile apps

The Register (UK-based) had a similar article yesterday regarding the UK government. Seems on that side of the pond, the government spent about $60,000 developing an app that shows people how to check spark plugs and change flat tires. Words fail me here.

I can only guess it was a diamond-encrusted MacBook Pro for a single developer; how else to explain the stratospheric development costs? Or a lot of lunches and dinners at the finest restaurants for a few months?

And that was only one of various apps where they spent so much for so little in return. Hopefully both governments comes to their senses and put money into things that has a greater return on investment and meets a pressing need while properly managing spending from the public purse.

I would love an app (or an optimized-for-mobile-device version) of the State Department's travel warning/advisory list.

The TSA one could have been simpler, just like a Magic 8 Ball:

"Can I take this innocuous item on my flight?"

::shake the iPhone::

"No!", "Not Looking Good", "Ask Again Later", "Come with me, sir"

Actually, the find-my-embassy is just a web app, as you wanted. Not a very good one though. The google "map" is just an image, not a real map. And so small that you can't see street names. Doh.

It could actually be good if it had the addresses in the app and didn't need to use 3G or WiFi. If you're overseas you might not have those close by. But the addresses and GPS would be a real help.

This stuff frustrates me. There's no need for these to be iOS apps. They can simply be web apps! I don't need 4 million apps on my iOS product. I don't need a special app for every damn piece of information! The App store is replacing the web thanks to stupid developers like our gov't and that sucks!

"The government in your pocket. What more could you want?"

EMPTY POCKETS!!!

@Brian, the article states that they are mobile web, iPhone and Android apps...not just iphone specific...

gov't in my pocket, like Monica was in Bill's

These are not all iPhone apps.

"The government in your pocket. What more could you want?"


They already are in my pocket. Its called "taxes", "theft", or "absurd".

I like social media apps and getting awareness out and all that, but the government needs to stop spending my hard-earned money on stupid stuff like this.

Find Your Embassy=amazing idea