Fans of President Obama who can't make it to Washington, D.C. for the inauguration next week can watch the ceremony live on their mobile phones, thanks to official new smartphone apps released on Monday by the administration.
There are two separate inauguration committees, each with different duties, and each with a different app.
"The 2013 Presidential Inaugural Committee, the private group responsible for the inaugural parade and balls, has put together an app that allows users to post remarks and photos to their Facebook and Twitter feeds, as well as to figure out where to go to watch the ceremony and the procession," wrote Politico. "It is also designed to guide users with tickets to their entry points. People elsewhere in the world can use it to watch a livestream of the festivities."
"The app encourages users to serve their communities, offering the ability to look up National Day of Service events around the country," says a statement released by the PIC. "Users may filter the type of event they are interested in, whether it's focused on education, health, community resilience, economic development, veterans and military families, faith, or the environment. Once users find the right event for them, they can RSVP and see how many others in their community plan to attend the event."
"App users will also be able to find their way to official Inaugural events using the app's unique maps feature, which gets around the problems of data connections by operating offline. The maps include essential information such as event access points, portable toilet locations, and viewing screen locations. From President Obama's swearing-in ceremony to the Inaugural parade, the maps give users a clear understanding of how to maneuver their way through the city."
The other app offers similar features.
"The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, the group assigned to oversee the details of the actual swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol, is also launching its app on Monday. In its case, though, it is actually a mobile website that behaves like an app. It features live streaming only of the ceremony as well as maps for ticketholders and nonticketholders, information on what not to bring and links to the Twitter feed of the Secret Service," said Politico.
Both apps should make it easier for people who are actually attending the event to get around and figure out where they need to be.
"For the first time ever, a mobile Web app will help anyone on Inauguration Day figure out the best route from the Metro stations right to their ticketed area," said New York Senator and JCCIC Chairman Chuck Schumer. "These tickets and this new site are a big part of our efforts to make sure these ceremonies are safe and enjoyable for everyone who attends."
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
