Going Mobile

By fall 2010, Post says the agency will roll out New York City Big Apps 2.0, which will offer hundreds of smartphone applications for cities based on 200 data sets that she says are "searchable, sortable and nimble." Available initially for the iPhone, these applications will also be optimized for other smartphone platforms at a later date, says Post.

Examples include Mobile 311 for iPhone, which has already launched. It takes the city's phone-based 311 information and complaint line to the next level. For example, says post, a citizen who spots a pothole on the street can take a photo of it, which is geotagged to location, and immediately upload it to the 311 service, which directs it to the correct city agency for repair. Another application, New York City Hall, provides updates on news, information and events directly from the Mayor's office.