Obama ’08 – Review
By App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: Obama '08
Version #: 1.0
Date Released: 2008-09-28
Developer:
Price: 0.00
User Rating:
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Now that I have that out of the way, I want to say up front that I’m an Obama supporter. However, that really has very little to do with my assessment of the Obama app. The visual experience is delightful, clean and organized. It seems to speak well to two audiences: supporters and undecideds. In terms of its functionality and basic uses of the iPhone’s technology, I think it’s excellent.
The interface is a clean and easily navigable. There are not a whole lot of options or menus, which I think is a good idea considering its purpose. Near the top of its menu you’ll find a tool that looks through your contacts and produces a list of associates in swing states (of course you can dial from that list). Other noteworthy main-menu items include: information on his positions, access to news, direct connections to your local campaign office.
The positions information is fairly limited and succinct but you can at least get a sense of where he stands on the main topics. For each topic you can almost always find, at the end of the page, links to longer texts online.
The news items are updated regularly. Some include article links to newspapers and magazines, others are alerts and statements from the campaign. There’s an option to view videos; when you click on a video link the app seamlessly moves you to the YouTube app and voila: a video. All of the videos I’ve seen are inspirational/motivating and therefore geared toward supporters. The news items and position statements, however, seem to be more open and factual.
Another cool feature is the use of “your location” GPS to find the campaign headquarters nearby. I have used this in a couple of cases when I’ve been out and about and curious as to the location of the nearest office (I’m in a swing state – they are everywhere).
I will admit to two faults that I’ve detected so far. 1) it crashed – only one time. 2) One of the campaign offices that it located didn’t have the office phone number listed. Otherwise, it does a fine job. As a supporter I feel connected to the campaign as a result of the app, and I feel empowered to represent Obama’s ideas accurately since I have his positions at the tap of a finger. Do I recommend it? Of course! It’s free, informational, and it makes great use of the iPhone’s features. What’s not to like?
Quick Take
Value: High
Would I Buy Again: Yes (for the next two weeks anyhow)
Learning Curve: Low
Who is it for: Obama supports who want to track the campaign
What I like: Clean, easy to use, tons of information
What I Don’t: A few crashes and slightly out of date info
Final Statement: Great app!
FEATURES:
- Call Friends: A great volunteering tool that lets you make a difference any time you want by talking to people you already know. Your contacts are prioritized by key battleground states, and you can make calls and organize results all in one place.
- Call Stats: See nationwide Obama‘08 Call Friends totals and find out how your call totals compare to leading callers.
- Get Involved: Do more. Find and contact your local Obama for America HQ.
- Receive Updates: Receive the latest news and announcements via text messages or email.
- News: Browse complete coverage of national and local campaign news.
- Local Events: Find local events, share by email and get maps and directions.
- Media: Browse videos and photos from the campaign.
- Issues: Get clear facts about Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s plan for essential issues facing Americans.This year’s presidential election is a real chance for Americans to create change and build solidarity. This campaign has been about people like you making a difference. With Obama ‘08, you have the information and tools necessary to help deliver the change we need come this November.O U R T A K E . . .
