A new software application launched today gives guests attending the historic 2009 Presidential Inauguration the ability to navigate Washington [View map] with a glance at their smart phone.
The application, introduced by Qorvis Communications, a strategic communications firm, and the law firm Patton Boggs, provides location-aware (GPS) 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 places in Washington, DC [View map] . It even provides walking directions to the Inauguration.
"This first-of-its-kind application will help the nation's first high-tech president usher in a new era of government - one that embraces technology and advanced communications," said Stuart M. Pape, managing partner at Patton Boggs.
The first iteration of the Qorvis/Patton Boggs application is now available in the iTunes App Store. A Blackberry version will soon follow. Development of a version for the Google phone "Android" is slated for early January 2009.
"Everyone in Washington is throwing a party or hosting clients, family and friends for the inauguration," said Michael Petruzzello, managing partner of Qorvis. "We wanted to offer the public a useful and speedy way to obtain information about this historic event."
The mobile application was designed by Qorvis' in-house interactive team and developed by PointAbout, which has enabled the application to be used on a variety of mobile platforms.
The application currently available features evolving content - which will include RSS feeds on inauguration events and services and other related information closer to the event date. Plans also include a polling component to gauge real-time user sentiment about the Inauguration. FortiusOne will be analyzing and visualizing the results through their GeoCommons platform. Current services include:
Zagat Restaurant Guide
Walking directions to the Inauguration
Metro train and bus schedules
News and alerts
Free Wi-Fi zone locations
Local weather, traffic, and news
Starbucks locations
ATM-bank search
The 2009 Inauguration Guide 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.
The app for iPhones can be found here: http://inauguration.pointabout.com/
About Qorvis
Qorvis Communications is one of the nation's largest independent communications firms. Formed in August 2000, Qorvis provides its clients with expertise in the areas of advertising, public and media relations, public affairs, marketing communications, Internet campaigns, investor and financial relations, grassroots, and research and opinion surveys. For more information, visit www.qorvis.com.
About Patton Boggs
Based in Washington DC [View map] , Patton Boggs is a national leader in public policy, litigation, and business law and is well known for its deep bipartisan roots in the national political arena. With nine offices and more than 600 lawyers and professionals, the firm provides comprehensive, practical, and cost-effective legal counsel to clients around the globe.
About PointAbout
PointAbout mobilizes brands. Our thin-client springboard application allows for fast and efficient distribution of web content across multiple mobile platforms in a location-aware manner. For more information, visit www.PointAbout.com.
About FortiusOne
FortiusOne is leading the next-generation of location intelligence by bridging the powerful analysis of GIS with the open and intuitive GeoWeb. FortiusOne's GeoCommons delivers visual analytics through maps; enabling non-technical professionals to view multiple datasets, draw conclusions, make decisions and solve problems without traditional GIS overhead. http://geocommons.com/