Looking Local launches public sector iOS app
Press Release
Release Date: 10th January, 2011.
Looking Local is pleased to announce the launch of a dedicated public sector app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, now available in the iTunes App store. This free app gives people across the UK immediate and intuitive access to local councils, housing associations and a wide range of other public sector organisations on these increasingly popular devices; more than 12% of the UK adult population now owns an iPhone.
Key to the app is the 'Report It' feature which covers everyday issues such as dumped rubbish, graffiti, potholes and road repairs, street lighting faults, street furniture damage, abandoned vehicles and anti-social behaviour. For these types of reports usability and convenience are key, making them perfectly suited for iPhone delivery where location detection, map browsing, camera integration and a highly responsive interface allow users to quickly report issues on the go.
The Looking Local app uses the added features of the iPhone to enhance the reporting so the user can map where the problem is, attach a photo and a comment, then the report is passed to the relevant organisation so that it can be dealt with.
In addition to the reporting functionality the Looking Local app gives access to a wide range of local services provided by over 125 partner organisations such as choice-based lettings, repair reporting, news and events, local health services and listings, as well as nationwide job searching from Jobcentre Plus and information from NHS Choices.
For those people unaware of their public sector bodies or not at home there is a 'service locator function' within the new Looking Local app, which allows users to quickly search for their nearest public service providers using either location detection or geographic drill-down. The Looking Local app has been launched in the integrated web browser using the recently released iOS-optimised interface and can be automatically added to a favourites list to allow fast re-entry on subsequent visits.
Looking Local is a solution owned by Kirklees Council, which offers public sector bodies the ability to publish services on digital interactive TV, mobile phones, kiosks and games consoles.
Steve Langrick from Kirklees Council says:
"Looking Local has been publishing public sector services on mobile phones for over four years now, so we felt it important to extend our offer for the smartphone, with an initial 'app' for the iPhone. This now means that our 125+ public sector partners can use the app to deliver their services without needing to incur expensive development costs or duplicate resource and effort."
Looking Local works on the basis of developing technology once and sharing across the partners; which brings real value to each subscribing organisation and is of even more importance given the current financial difficulties facing the public sector.
