Forum Views () 
Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
Apps That Change The World  
 
 
 
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Apps That Change The World
 
 
  
 
 By Woyke Elizabeth -
 Wednesday, July 14
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Apps That Change The World
 
 
 
 
 
 
A washed-up whale in Florida. A listless dolphin floating off the Mississippi coast. Oily residue on Alabama's Orange Beach.
 
For the past few weeks, thousands of people have been submitting eyewitness reports like these to sites like SpillMap.org, creating an unfiltered, up-to-the-minute view of the damage caused by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
 
Citizen reporting of disasters, both man-made and natural, isn't new. But thanks to technology the information gathering has accelerated. Mobile applications are enabling Gulf Coast residents to quickly record and upload their observations, complete with photos, video and time and location data. The posts are published to websites, enabling government agencies, civic organizations and even BP to take action.
 
"We're trying to bring this data into a public forum so the right people can do something about it," says Brian Cohee, cofounder of the Seattle software firm YodaLab, which produced SpillMap. Since its release a month ago, the application, which runs on Google's Android mobile platform, has been downloaded 52,000 times and recorded 3,400 posts. Gulf-area nonprofits, including the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, are incorporating the information into their maps and databases.
 
SpillMap isn't the only mobile app with a conscience. Inspired by the growing availability of smartphones and online application stores, organizations and concerned citizens are packaging their causes in mobile form. There are apps that match volunteers with projects, raise money for disease research, educate about the environment and provide platforms for advocacy work.
 
The apps serve a dual purpose: increasing awareness about a cause and enabling users to take action in support of it. Holly Ross, executive director of the Nonprofit Technology Network, says grabbing a spot on people's phones helps organizations forge more personal connections with supporters and leverage their often spontaneous desire to do good. At the same time charitable apps give users an easily accessible way to feel they are making a difference.
 
It's still early days for such apps. Most nonprofits consider websites and e-mail their most important technology investments, according to Ross. Social media efforts, such as Facebook or Twitter, usually come next, followed by mobile.
 
Part of the reason is cost. Developing a sophisticated iPhone app can run $30,000 to $50,000--a considerable outlay for a nonprofit or fledgling organization, particularly when it's not obvious how the expense will be recouped. Unlike, say, mobile games, most civic-minded apps are distributed for free. Most also refrain from soliciting donations, in part because Apple bans apps that do so from its App Store. (There have been several high-profile mobile donation programs, but they focused on text messages, not apps.) "We're at an in-between stage," says Ross. "Apps are still an extra, and rightfully so."
 
In spite of the challenges, a growing number of organizations are using mobile apps as their primary method of outreach. These groups, most of which were founded recently, expect technology to play a leading role in meeting their mission.
 
Consider Catalista. In the past year the San Francisco-based two-person company has released apps for the iPhone and Android handsets designed to connect users with local volunteer work. The apps are richly detailed, infused with bright colors, quirky graphics and listings of more than 200,000 volunteer opportunities nationwide. In comparison Catalista's website is rudimentary. "We don't believe people are using the desktop to find volunteer work," explains founder Catalina Ruiz-Healy.
 
Catalista's mobile focus is part of its general philosophy of meeting people where they are. "We want to make volunteering as easy as going to the movies," says Ruiz-Healy. The service is also smarter in mobile form because it can tap geo-spatial (GPS) data collected by smartphones. Users walking down the street will be notified if a nearby food bank is looking for help and can see how previous volunteers rated the experience. Ruiz-Healy says the two apps have been downloaded more than 50,000 times, and users have logged about 50,000 volunteer hours.
 
Some apps combine citizen reporting features with an action-oriented mission. SeeClickFix asks users to submit alerts about public infrastructure concerns such as potholes, graffiti, broken streetlights and speed bumps via its iPhone, BlackBerry and Android apps. SeeClickFix started in New Haven, Conn., in 2008 and now spans the country with 10,000 officials in state and local governments currently receiving alerts. Chief Executive Ben Berkowitz says the app has also been adapted for use in Italy, Argentina and Bulgaria, among other countries.
 
Berkowitz considers the apps effective, noting that about 40% of reported issues have been resolved. To boost the success rate, the six-person company plans to give users the ability to organize community meet-ups in response to alerts. A garbage-strewn park could be cleaned up by a grassroots group, for example, rather than waiting for a municipal agency to take action.
 
Startups aren't the only groups backing apps. The Sierra Club has an "Eco Hero" iPhone app that asks users to adopt green habits, such as taking public transportation and buying locally grown produce. The Monterey Bay Aquarium supports several mobile versions of its popular sustainable seafood advisory list. Companies including Citi and Kraft Foods have signed up to make charitable donations when consumers"check in" at certain stores using an app called CauseWorld. Telecom giant Nokia recently launched a series of apps dubbed "Conspiracy for Good" which links online and real-world activities to raise awareness for education nonprofits.
 
As phones and apps get more intelligent, more groups will likely decide the perks of having a mobile presence outweigh the costs. Says Ruiz-Healy, "The nonprofit sector is definitely looking at mobile as a new opportunity to influence people's behavior and opinions."
 
 
See Also:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recommend
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related Articles
 
 
US-TECH Summary Reuters - 1 hour 38 minutes ago
 
Indonesia to ask internet providers to block porn Reuters - 1 hour 38 minutes ago
 
Clampdown rumored as China "twitter" sites down Reuters - Thursday, July 15
 
Apps That Change The World Forbes - Wednesday, July 14
 
China stops funding Green Dam web filter: report Reuters - Wednesday, July 14
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
News Search
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Top Stories
 
 
 
 
German Credit Suisse branches raided in tax probe
Defiant Libya ship resumes course, 'destination Gaza'
EU clears major tie-ups in ailing airline sector
Suicide bomber involved in Uganda blast: official
Tiger-rescue plan to be drawn up in Indonesia
 
 
 
 More Top Stories »
 
 
 
ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
   
  
More from Forbes
Liberal California Politician Holding Oil Sands Hostage
Avandia On Trial: The Key Question
Tech Stocks Look Tempting
Sustainability Report Card: How Green Is Your College?
Bud Selig Right To Leave Politics Out Of All-Star Game
 
 
 
 
Most Popular
 
 
 
 
Most Viewed
 
Most Recommended
 
 
 
 
Mel Gibson takes aim at Hispanics in fresh rant
 
Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem tie the knot
 
'Abducted' Iran scientist surfaces in US
 
Obama vows to cut HIV cases with new AIDS strategy
 
US trade deficit widens to 18-month high
 
 
 More Most Viewed »
 
 
 
 
 
Reclusive top mathematician turns down prize, again
 
Germany's 'Octopus oracle' keeps perfect record
 
Amputee cat gets bionic legs
 
Fans gather for Michael Jackson death anniversary
 
Who's right - the dolphin or the octopus?
 
 
 More Most Recommended »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
 
 
 
 
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
 
 
Stars and latest movies
 
 
Best travel destinations
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
More on Yahoo! News
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
 
Also on Yahoo
 
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
 
Site Highlights
 
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
 
 
 
 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
  
   
 
 
    
   
 
Other News on Wednesday, 14 July 2010 Rogue Afghan soldier kills three British Gurkhas  
Russia still holding swapped spies: reports  
Gays more frequent blog readers, social network users  
Cuban dissidents arrive in Spain hailing 'new stage'  
Netanyahu-Mubarak talks postponed again  
US-TECH Summary  
Italian police arrest 300 in major blow to Calabrian mafia  
Apple shares slide as iPhone 4 concerns grow  
Vanished Iranian scientist turns up in Washington  
Three hurt in Spanish bull run  
Sarkozy rejects scandal, pushes pension reform  
Libyan aid ship asks to dock in Egypt, not Gaza  
Apple shares slide on iPhone problems  
Lebanon court hands death sentence to spy for Israel
|  
Lebanon court hands death sentence to spy for Israel  
U.S. judge clears trial for ex-Guantanamo detainee
|  
Vaseline launches skin-whitening Facebook app for India  
Afghan soldier kills three Gurkhas  
Key US Senate panel backs 'libel tourism' bill  
Venezuela hands suspected Colombia drug lord to U.S.
|  
"Anatolian tigers" go where Turkey's diplomacy leads  
Greeks head for love online: study  
Nigerian sect leader praises al Qaeda, warns U.S.
|  
Asif treble rocks Australia in first Test  
107 dead in China rainstorms and floods: state media  
Evans yellow jersey ambitions dashed on Madeleine  
China's elderly population leapt in 2009: state media  
Fiji expels Australian envoy for 'unfriendly acts'  
'Abducted' Iran scientist surfaces in US  
Australia shrugs off Timor refugee snub  
Michelin picks Chicago as third US go-to destination  
Apple shares slide as iPhone 4 concerns grow
|  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
Court strikes down FCC indecency policy  
eBay sued for $3.8 billion in PayPal patent case
|  
New stars begin to shine in Bollywood  
Water taxi set to sail to rescue of gridlocked Beirut  
Vaseline launches skin-whitening Facebook India app  
South Korea's Ssangyong extends bid deadline  
U2 reschedules N.America tour  
Japan's Uniqlo joins Grameen Bank to help poor in Bangladesh  
Japan's Nomura to list $100 mln Sukuk on Malaysia bourse  
Court strikes down FCC indecency policy
|  
Glee writers drop hints about season No. 2
|  
Filipina singer Charice sees courtroom as next stage
|  
Russia and Iran sign energy cooperation pact  
Iran scientist heading home via third country: ISNA
|  
Rioters hurl petrol bombs in new N.Ireland unrest  
Shooting attacks hit Yemen, al Qaeda blamed
|  
Seven killed in Egypt building collapse  
Clampdown rumoured as China "twitter" sites down  
French lawmakers approve full veil ban  
Uganda finds suicide vest, makes several arrests
|  
US trade deficit widens to 18-month high  
China stops funding Green Dam web filter: report  
Libyan aid ship loiters in waters off Gaza: Israel
|  
Obama vows to cut HIV cases with new AIDS strategy  
Afghan hunt rogue soldier after British killings  
Intel posts 'best quarter' ever  
Cuba frees prisoners, but Fidel steals spotlight
|  
Mel Gibson takes aim at Hispanics in fresh rant  
Suicide attack kills Afghan policeman in Kandahar  
Microsoft adds Facebook to Outlook  
Japan eyes spending cuts to meet budget goal
|  
Turncoat Afghan soldier kills 3 British troopers  
Deadly typhoon cuts power in Manila, aims at China
|  
'Barefoot bandit' deported back to the US  
Venezuela hands suspected Colombia drug lord to U.S.
|  
Amazon storm killed half a billion trees: study
|  
Yankees owner Steinbrenner dies  
At least 60 in hospital after Mumbai gas leak  
Vaseline launches skin-whitening Facebook app for India  
Tests blame some Toyota accidents on drivers  
'Abducted' Iran scientist surfaces in US  
Malaysian police stumble upon illegal 'zoo' in car raid  
Wall Street overhaul on track for final approval  
'Abducted' Iran scientist leaves US for Tehran  
N.Korea to hold talks with UN Command on sinking  
20 dead after Typhoon Conson hits Philippines  
'Abducted' Iran scientist surfaces in US  
Study calls for greater care to 'quality of death'  
U.S. deports another person in Russian spy probe  
Laos, US in highest contact since Vietnam War  
Vietnam's Mekong paddies dry up  
U.S. says Somali al Shabaab seen behind Uganda bombings  
China web filter developer's finance woes: report  
Clampdown rumoured as China twitter sites down
|  
China stops funding Green Dam web filter: report
|  
Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz wed in Bahamas  
Seoul shares post 25-mth closing high on techs  
Taiwan stocks at 2-mth closing high; Intel lifts TSMC, Acer  
Peter Jackson meeting with "Hobbit" actors  
China admits more tainted milk found in February  
Steinbrenner relished wacky depiction on Seinfeld  
Tests blame some Toyota accidents on drivers  
Michael Jackson fans graffiti his tomb  
S.Korean mobile carrier to allow Internet calls  
Ranting, sexist Mel Gibson not "What Women Want"  
PAKISTAN  
Roman Polanski lawyers call for misconduct inquiry  
S.Korea urges price-fighting steps; jobless rate up  
US court orders review of broadcasting indecency rule  
Filipina singer Charice sees courtroom as next stage  
WRAPUP 1-New Zealand retail sales back slow pace of rate rises  
Seoul shares post 25-mth closing high on techs  
South Korea's jobless rate rises in June  
Ranting, sexist Mel Gibson not What Women Want
|  
Steinbrenner relished wacky depiction on Seinfeld
|  
Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz wed in Bahamas
|  
Peter Jackson meeting with Hobbit actors
|  
German Credit Suisse branches raided in tax probe  
Apps That Change The World  
Afghan attacks kill 8 US soldiers in 24 hours  
Credit Suisse branches raided in German tax probe  
Pakistan ISI behind Mumbai attacks: India official
|  
EU clears major tie-ups in ailing airline sector  
5 more American troops die in Afghan attacks  
Four NATO soldiers killed in Afghan bomb attack
|  
Suicide bomber involved in Uganda blast: official  
3 US troops die in attack on Kandahar police HQ  
Centre-left rise in German state underlines Merkel woes
|  
3 NATO troops die in attack on Kandahar police HQ  
Tiger-rescue plan to be drawn up in Indonesia  
Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem tie the knot  
Drunk Russians drown escaping heatwave
|  
Suspected S.Africa Terre'blanche killer out on bail
|  
China landslide deaths rise to 41  
Australia 253 all out against Pakistan  
Indian FM to press Pakistan on Mumbai probe in talks  
China's AIDS activists face uphill struggle  
E.Timor deputy PM rejects Australian asylum fix  
S.Korean legalises euthanasia for terminally ill  
eBay sued for $3.8 billion in PayPal patent case
|  
Japan killer mum 'spun child in washing machine'  
Indonesia to ask internet providers to block porn
|  
Sanyo launches first rice bread cooker  
Britain the best place to die: global study  
Fan's pictures of Beatles going on sale in Britain  
Pakistani stocks end up; rupee firms; o/n rates flat  
China plans to approve Nokia's web mapping service  
Jailed rapper Lil Wayne to release EP in September  
India's double-digit inflation inches higher  
Behind The Booze Brands  
Celebrity Charities: Good For Image, But What About Good Works?  
Foreign firms in China go west to beat wage hikes  
Vegas' Perfect Poolside Dining  
Jailed rapper Lil Wayne to release EP in September
|  
Pakistan bans Indian film with Bin Laden lookalike
|  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights