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Obama and Romney are going app to app, so to speak, beginning on Tuesday, when both sides will be releasing a high tech tool that will keep supporters informed, in-touch, and connected to either or perhaps both candidates, if they choose.
Mitt Romney’s app for iPhone or android, promises to inform the user the moment a vice presidential candidate has been announced, and then will allow the user to post his thoughts on the matter to Facebook and/or Twitter. The app also has a direct link to the donation page of the Republican candidate. The app is called “Mitt’s VP” and requires those who want it to give their email address, phone number, address and zip code.
Zac Moffatt, Romney’s director of digitalization said that “Users of the app will be the first to get the news on the biggest political decision of the year through an instantaneous alert on the one device most people carry around the clock – their phone.”
President Obama’s app is ready for use with iPhones, but will only be available for android devices within the next few days. This app is not just about news flashes, but is more focused on getting volunteers to get the word out about choosing Obama for president. The app will send out blog posts on what’s new in the campaign; a link to send a campaign contribution; and an easy way to sign up to volunteer for the campaign by canvasing in their neighborhoods. The app supplies those volunteers with the information they might need while convincing people to vote for Obama. The Obama app even knows where the user is and will send info on any “Obama for America” events that are happening close by.
The app also has information about hotlines to call to settle any issues that might come up in relation to the new voter ID laws that are sprouting up around the country.
These apps are a response to the growing prevalence of smartphones in the population today. According to Nielson projections, half of all people using mobile phones use smartphones. According to information released by Google a few weeks ago, 83percent of owners of mobile phones are also registered voters. Taken together this information makes it clear why it is smart to target people with smartphones.
