The Mobile Minute is here to bring you the day's mobile-for-development new. Today's Minute covers disaster assistance applications on smartphones, a BBC guide to using pocket-sized video cameras for reporting, the UN ICT Hub's first Briefing Report on ICT4D in the Asia-Pacific region, the development of two new systems that allow mobile phones to work in areas with no reception, an intriguing idea for an iPhone app to combat homelessness, and an event on mobile payments in the Tech@State series in Washington DC.
- Victims of disasters in the U.S. can now apply for federal disaster assistance on smartphones through FEMA's mobile website. See a video of the program in action here.
- The BBC College of Journalism released a handy guide to recording with small cameras like the Flip, Kodaks, or other pocket-sized devices (such as video-equipped smartphones). Tips include keeping the camera still, capturing wide, mid-level, and close-up shots, avoiding zooms and pans, and how to create the best lighting and sound conditions.
- The UN ICT Hub released the first in its series of ICTD Briefing Notes series. The first Briefing Note focuses on ICT applications and how they can be used for meaningful development, especially in countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
- In Australia, a new open-source project has developed two ways for mobile phoens to get reception even when mobile towers may be down. "One is specifically for disaster areas, and consists of a temporary, self-organizing and self-powered mobile phone network that operates via small phone towers dropped into the area by aircraft. The second system consists of a permanent mesh-based phone network between Wi-Fi enabled mobile phones, with no tower infrastructure required."
- iHomeless is a video promotion for an iPhone app idea that could provide a new way to help the homeless - givers can send mobile donations directly to a card that the recipient can redeem for food, medication, shelter, or other necessities.
- On August 2, Tech@State (The State Department's tech discussion series) will host an event that focuses on mobile money. RSVP is required but the event will be livestreamed.
[Mobile Minute Disclaimer: The Mobile Minute is a quick round-up of interesting stories that have come across our RSS and Twitter feeds to keep you informed of the rapid pace of innovation. Read them and enjoy them, but know that we have not deeply investigated these news items. For more in-depth information about the ever-growing field of mobile tech for social change, check out our blog-posts, white papers and research, how-tos, and case studies.]
Image courtesy Flickr user QiFei
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