Today we focus on all the ways you can participate and follow the presidential election, including today’s “Super Tuesday” vote, using your mobile device.
Most of the following services cost money, including: downloading applications or games, browsing the mobile Web and sending/receiving text messages. Be sure to know what your carrier and software vendors will charge before downloading or signing up for any mobile service.
Campaign for a candidate: The NextGreatThing blog highlights the mobile campaign of Barack Obama, showing that he can be followed on Twitter, on a mobile version of his Web site or via text messages. Sign up by texting GO to OBAMA (62262). The blog Mobile Active notes that John Edwards and Hillary Clinton also have (or had, in Edwards case) Twitter feeds. Sen. Clinton has a text service that you can get by text ing JOIN to 20007.
Find directions to your polling place: Many phones come equipped with driving directions and traffic information. If not, services can also be downloaded available from many companies such as Mapquest (shown at left), Google and Traffic Gauge.
Play political games: I’ve found a few mobile games directly related to the campaign. One is “The Mobile Ring” from Cellufun that lets users box against
their least favored candidates. Another is Gameloft’s “Battle for the White House” (shown at right), where presidential nominees battle by dancing, boxing, running, rolling and fighting in eight different locations.
Follow election news and views: Most news Web sites also have a mobile counterpart designed just for cell phones or other mobile Web devices. Be sure to check your favorite news and blogs for specific mobile Web sites. Google’s mobile news page pulls data from several news organizations into one place on your mobile device. Motion Apps tracks RSS feeds from blog and news sites onto one mobile page. Also, Go2 Media, with offices in Santa Ana, announced Monday a Go2 Race ‘08 mobile site that offers general and college-specific election news, updated election results and profiles of all the major candidates.
Show off your favorite candidate: Most cell phone carriers have available for download some ringtones, wallpapers and screensavers that promote a certain political candidate. But, I was a bit surprised by how few are available. I’m guessing more will be made in advance of the November election. Some examples: the self-proclaimed “Obama Girl” offers a ringtone and for Family Guy fans, there is a “Vote for Peter Griffin” wallpaper. For those wanting a different option than those offered by your cell phone carrier, you can always choose the quick and easy route: use your camera to take a picture of your preferred candidate’s sign and then use that image as your wallpaper.
Learn more about the political process: Many of the aforementioned news sites will likely offer background information on the election, but some applications for download can also provide historical perspective on the campaign race. Examples include: a database of the 109th U.S. Congress and other federal officials (shown at right), a Britannica U.S. presidents program that includes profiles and history on all United States presidents, including early life, political career, legislation, programs, appointments, personal life, and post-presidential career.
