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Thursday, October 24, 2013
Navy information available on-the-go with new app By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Christopher Tucker Defense Media Activity Looking to find the latest information about the Navy on your Smartphone or Tablet? There’s an app for that. Sailors and Navy family members now have a mobile application, or app, to get up-todate news and media. In late August, the Navy announced an upcoming launch of the official “U.S. Navy app,” a new mobile application that provides Navy information to Sailors and their family on-the-go. Recognizing the need to deliver news and information across multiple mobile platforms, the Navy’s Chief of Information funded the contract last year to develop the official U.S. Navy app to provide instant access to news and multimedia content to Sailors, their families and anyone interested in the U.S. Navy. “Today’s Sailors and their families deserve new tools to stay informed about their Navy,” said Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Navy Chief of Information. “We want the Navy app to be that tool.” The Navy app integrates content from the Navy’s multiple internal media sources, including www.navy.mil, All Hands Magazine online, the Navy Live blog
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and the Navy’s social media sites. The app also offers users the latest photos, videos, news and feature stories highlighting key Navy events. Users also have access to an interactive global map that displays the locations of key naval installations, current events, an up-todate status of naval forces, as well as the Navy’s current forward presence. In addition, the Navy app features an integrated calendar that shows key dates for Sailors, such as advancement exam dates, when evaluations are due and selection board convening dates. The calendar also displays key dates in naval history and local events. Prior to launching the app, approximately 20 Sailors and family members tested the app for functionality and usability on multiple platforms, including computer Tablets and Smartphones. The app is free and is now available on four major computer platforms: Apple-iOS, Android, Windows 8 and Chrome Book online markets. The initial download is approximately 17MB. Chris Madden, director of Navy Media Content Services, managed the app’s development and leads the team that will maintain the app. “We want to hear all types of feedback to make the [U.S.] Navy app as useful a tool as possible
Download locations:
iPhone and iPad http://itunes.apple. com/us/app/the-u.s.-navy/ id689573763?mt=8 Android - phone and tablet http://play.google.com/ store/apps/details?id=mil. navy&hl=en Windows 8 - tablet http://apps.microsoft.com/ windows/en-us/app/c9aa87b5c1ce-4608-9bb7-ab4349b322d2 Chrome - chromebook http://chrome.google.com/ webstore/detail/navy-app/fdb npficlmmbjmhmmaklmpggddb ljieg?utm_source=gmail for the fleet and the general public,” Madden said. “We’ll compile all feedback to see what’s feasible to update before the launch later this month and see what fixes may have to wait for future updates.” Top content within the app is updated several times throughout the day, giving users access to the latest information. The Navy app requires Internet access to function and access current information and media content.
U.S. Navy graphic