Review: RequestIndy iPhone App 7.7.11

WISH-TV

Let’s face it, when the government gives you something for free, you don’t expect much.
Last Tuesday, July 05, 2011, Mayor Ballard sent out a tweet that sent the Twittersphere afire (at least in Indy).
Being the fearless tech pundit that I am, I decided to take the plunge and download the app fully expecting to see a buggy and clunky program that would make any self respecting iPhone tremble in fear.  My how wrong I was.
From the get go, this app is slick.  Nice graphics and a non-cluttered interface greet you upon load of this app that is all business and no fluff.  Only three choice meet you on the home screen – Create a New Request, Check Status of an Existing Request, and Watch Help Video.

To start off, it’s always a good idea to watch the tutorial videos.  The tutorial video, hosted on You Tube loads quickly and is a very no frills, no nonsense approach to how to use the application.
This is the same video you can view from your iPhone.
To submit a request is simple as tapping your phone a few times. 
Click ‘Create a New Request’ choose from your choice of issues (a nice touch is that the application tries to guide you if you may be filing a complaint out of the jurisdiction of the Mayor’s Action Committee and giving you the department you need to contact) and then you are presented with a map.  

To report a location you can turn on your iPhone’s geo locator and it will automatically find where you are, you can tap through the map until you find the location, or you can enter the address manually on where the issue is located. 
     
After the address has been entered you will be asked a few questions about the issue and you may add a photo either by taking the picture from the app or attaching a saved picture.
    
Finally, you chose whether to make the report anonymously or enter your contact information and click submit.
That’s all it takes.  Four simple steps and you have a direct line to the Mayor’s Action Committee.
Right now the city is using the iPhone as a learning platform and hopes to make the app available across platforms in the near future.  If you don’t have an iPhone you can use the web interface which shares many of the same features of the iPhone application or you can do it the old fashion way and call 317-327-4MAC (4622).
Critics of local government will be the first to point out that it doesn’t matter how slick and polished the application is if there is no response to your concerns from the other end of the complaint, however the RequestIndy app is a great start at putting the power of requesting city services into the palms of Indianapolis citizens.
The RequestIndy iPhone app can be downloaded from this link.
As always, we want to hear from you!  If you have any questions about anything relating to today’s technology, feel free to Tweet us or post in the comments below, on the Taming Technology Facebook page or on our website!  We may even answer your question on air in the upcoming weeks!
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