1. MTA App Quest awards ceremony at Grand Central Terminal on February 2, 2012.

    Explore all the great apps that improve the transit experience of 8.5 million daily MTA riders at MTAAppQuest.com!

    Feb 6 Comments

  2. New Roadify app shines

    NYC BigApps 2.0 Grand Prize winner Roadify has been hard at work at Version 2.0 of their popular iPhone app, adding new cities, new features, and integrating more relevant information to make it easier to find out when the next train, subway, bus, or ferry is coming.

    Initial response of the updated app has been overwhelmingly positive. One user raved about replacing 11 existing apps on his iPhone (6 of which were paid) with Roadify (free!), another enthusiastically praised its new Twitter integration. This fan sums up the improvements nicely:

    “Whoever makes this app deserves a medal of honor. I’ve been so angry waiting for subways that I’ve actually screamed. The new design is beautiful and the app allows me to find out when my next train is coming in seconds. It’s a simple concept but no one else but Roadify has gotten it right somehow. Plus now I can use it when I go visit my cousins in the Bay Area!! Thank you thank you thank you!”

    - Louisaida262, iTunes App Store, Feb 3, 2012

    Download the app for free today, and tell us what you think in the Comments below!

    Version 2.0 Highlights:

    • More cities, more data! In addition to the New York City metropolitan area, Roadify now also works in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle
    • Real-time arrival/departure info for NYC buses, SF Bart, and SF Municipal
    • More personalization with the new “Nearby” and “Recent” feature; search function for subway, bus, train and ferry lines; easy toggle between List and Map views; and ability to see arrival times at all stops/stations for each departure
    • More user-generated content such as curated Twitter comments organized by route, ability to write comments while underground, and fast access to give comments and track replies
    • Better, faster, sleeker — Overall improved performance in speed and ease-of-use

    More on Roadify:
    Roadify V2 [Roadify Blog]
    Roadify Reflects on Winning NYC BigApps 2.0 [NYCEDC Blog]
    Where Are They Now? A Look at Past BigApps Winners [NY Convergence]
    Favorite free NYC apps [Time Out New York]
    Transportation app Roadify wins BigApps contest [Crain’s New York]

    Follow @NYCBigApps and @ChallengePost on Twitter, and join us on Facebook.

    By Samantha

    Feb 6 Comments

  3. A fun, easy, and creative weekend project

    The Healthy New Year Video Challenge is offering $5,000 in prizes for the best videos that show how you’ll use technology to achieve your health-related New Year’s resolution. All you have to do is make a short video (under 2 minutes), and submit it by February 16.

    Check out the competition requirements, get tips on how to make a video, and register to enter at HealthyNewYear.Challenge.gov.

    Happy shooting!

    Feb 3 Comments

  4. Announcing the winners of MTA App Quest!

    (Photo: Grand Prize team Embark NYC with a custom 5’ subway sign at Vanderbilt Hall in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal.)

    Earlier today, travelers strolling by Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall overheard something historic: the announcement of the winners of MTA App Quest, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s competition for software developers. The MTA challenged developers to create new apps that improve the transit experience of its 8.5 million daily riders. Forty-two apps were submitted, for a range of platforms and devices: Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Windows Phone, and more.

    Join us in congratulating the winners!

    • Grand Prize: Embark NYC, by Taylor Malloy and David Hodge of Embark
      This all-purpose transit navigation app for Android and iOS devices offers trip planning, service advisories, interactive maps, schedules and more.
    • Second Prize: Free NYC Subway Locator, by Jordan Hill of Flatiron Factory
      This iOS app automatically calculates the nearest subway entrances to your current location and lists them by direction, in order of proximity by feet. The app also shows the individual station entrance locations, service alerts, and elevator and escalator outages, all using data provided by the MTA.
    • Third Prize: Notify Me NYC, by Emma Assin and Felipe Flores of the Cortelyou Collective
      This Android app notifies you if your subway, Metro-North or LIRR train is experiencing service problems, based on the times of day and days of week you ride.
    • Popular Choice Grand Prize: CityMaps, by Christopher Winfield
      This app combines real-time information about local businesses with subway information about how to reach them.
    • Popular Choice Second Prize: Right Track: Metro-North, by David Waring
      This Android app provides quick access to Metro-North schedules, real-time status updates and track assignments.
    • Large Organization Award: NYC Station Finder, by Slalom Consulting
      This iPhone app allows users to find station entrances with an augmented reality station finder.

    Five apps received honorable mentions from the panel of nine expert judges:

    View all the submissions in the gallery, and download an app today to enhance your own experience of the MTA!

    ‘Embark NYC,’ Multi-Purpose Navigation App, Wins MTA App Quest [mta.info]

    Follow @ChallengePost on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

    By Marci

    Feb 2
    MTA,  MTA App Quest,  challenges,  winners,  
    Comments

  5. Joining Forces: finalists announced!

    The Joining Forces Community Challenge, which launched in July 2011, recognizes citizens and organizations with a demonstrated commitment to serving military families. Hundreds of entrants shared their stories of service. Last week, 20 challenge finalists were announced (listed in alphabetical order):

    Through March 16, you can vote once per day for each of your favorites. Vote now to help recognize and celebrate service to military families, and check back March 31 to see the winners.

    Follow on Twitter: @ChallengePost and @ChallengeGov
    Join us on Facebook: ChallengePost and Challenge.gov

    Jan 31 Comments
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