M. K The Washington Times - January 13, 2009, 01:29PM

I can’t say whether President-elect Barack Obama has downloaded this, but until he surrenders his much-loved Research in Motion BlackBerry, he can use the device to track Inaugural festivities. The new application, described below, is also said to be available for Apple, Inc.’s iPhone.

Qorvis Communications and Patton Boggs released the latest version of a new inauguration mobile application today to help inaugural guests navigateWashington from the palm of their hand.

 

The new version of the application is free and easy to download at www.navigatingwashington.com. The application includes a new polling component to gauge real-time user sentiment about inaugural events through a feature called, “Speak Your Mind.”

 

Co-developed with FortiusOne, with data analyzed and visualized through its GeoCommons platform, the application takes a page from President-elect Obama’s campaign playbook. It poses questions based on key points presented during inaugural events and allows users to vote and express their support or opposition via their smart phones. Users can instantly see where they and thousands of others fall on a map.  

 

The first version was launched on December 18, 2008 by Patton Boggs and Qorvis. It is also listed by the Washington, DCgovernment on its official inauguration page.

 

The location-aware (GPS) application provides information about all inaugural galas and events and delivers details in real time about where to eat, what Metro line to take, and how to find museums and other attractions in the nation’s capital. It also provides walking directions to the inauguration ceremony. Videos explaining how to use the app are available here and here.

 

Information available through the inauguration application includes:

 

·        Inaugural events (balls, galas, etc.)

·        Zagat Restaurant Guide

·        Walking directions to the inauguration

·        Metro train and bus schedules

·        News and alerts

·        Free Wi-Fi zone locations

·        Local weather and traffic

·        Starbucks locations

·        ATM-bank search

·        Parking garages

 

The 2009 Inauguration Guide Application is a reflection of the broader services Qorvis and Patton Boggs provide: helping organizations and companies navigate the complexities and nuances of Washington, with regard to legal services, public affairs, issue advocacy, and media and public relations.