Big Apple Embraces Big Apps

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced a series of technology initiatives yesterday, all of them designed to increase transparency and improve access to information about City services. A contest called NYC Big Apps will begin in the fall and return as an annual competition to improve government accountability and transparency, as well as  engaging New York’s high-tech workforce and strengthen the media sector. The City encourages innovative and useful applications and will provide data to allow the development of software used on mobile devices and websites. Winners receive a cash prize, marketing opportunities and a dinner with Bloomberg himself.  The Mayor also announced the launch of 311 Online and other improvements to 311 and NYC.gov through services provided by Skype, Twitter and Google.

[Via NYC.gov]