iBoston

As an iPhone user, I was interested to see that the city of Boston is creating their own iPhone application.

The city of Boston is set to launch an official iPhone application for residents to file complaints about “neighborhood nuisances–nasty potholes, graffiti-stained walls, blown street lights,” according to The Boston Globe.

Called Citizen Connect, the app will let Bostonians send pictures and tips right to City Hall.

The app was built with the help of a New Hampshire mobile development firm called Connected Bits.

Citizen Connect has been submitted to Apple but hasn’t made it into the iTunes App Store just yet. When it does, it will be free.

The Boston Globe said Citizen Connect is the first app of its kind, but other cities have also been turning to new technology to make the minutiae of municipal government run more smoothly. New York’s 311 nonemergency hotline for residents now has a presence on Skype and Twitter. New York also now accepts photo and video submissions for 911 and 311.

But the iPhone app has a few advantages. Per the Globe: “The application, which will be free to download from Apple, will allow residents to use the Global Positioning System function on their iPhones to pinpoint the precise location of the problem for City Hall. After submitting a complaint, users will get a tracking number, so they can pester city officials if the problem persists.” Ooh! Pestering city officials sounds like fun!

In concept, it’s a very interesting idea, and I look forward to testing it out upon it’s release in the App Store. I look forward to taking pictures of tax dollars being wasted by city workers, and, of course, a picture of the State House to let someone know that Governor Patrick and all the other Democrats need their pipes cleaned.