via @jasonkiesel

With the release of the iPhone in the summer of 2007, the world was captivated. Smartphones took the first giant step towards becoming part of the mainstream conscious. It’s because of this one device and it’s future iterations, that smartphones became a global industry. In market terms, the app industry alone is expected to reach over $100 Billion by 2017 according to PRWebb.

image courtesy of Apple

Our app (which is free to download) is available across the major mobile platforms, including iOS, Android, Blackberry, and Windows 7. Jobs and the Apple App Store lit the fire which spawned these other operating mobile systems. We here at the CitySourced team tip our hats to a legend!

Tell us how Steve Jobs and the smartphone has personally effected you in the comments.

Full Press release below

GARCETTI ANNOUNCES NEW iPHONE APPLICATION
“Garcetti 311” by CitySourced will allow users
to submit service requests via iPhone

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti today
announced “Garcetti 311,” a new application for iPhones that will
allow users to snap and submit photos of potholes, graffiti, and other
problems in his district for the city to address.  The application,
developed by CitySourced, will be launched as a pilot program in
Garcetti’s Council District, which stretches from Hollywood to
Glassell Park.

“The new app empowers Angelenos to improve our neighborhoods by
providing a quick, easy way of letting city government know where
there are problems that need to be fixed.  I’m proud to launch the
pilot program in my district,” said Council President Garcetti.

Garcetti made the announcement at a training conducted by CitySourced
in which Garcetti’s staff learned how to handle requests submitted
through the new application.

“CitySourced was founded on a simple premise — to make it easier for
all residents make their communities better.  We’re doing this by facilitating
the communication between residents and government, making the process simpler, more efficient and effective.
Plus, as Angelenos ourselves, we’re excited about helping the city

“We are thrilled to have Los Angeles as our newest customer, which
gives us a great opportunity to showcase and model for the rest of the
world the emerging Gov2.0 movement,” said CitySourced Co-Founder Kurt
Daradics.

Through the “Garcetti 311” application, users will be able to report
problems for the city to address, including:

•       Abandoned bicycles and vehicles
•       Deceased animals
•       Bulky items
•       Graffiti
•       Illegal dumping
•       Broken sidewalks
•       Potholes
•       Overgrown trees

The application uses geo-tagging technology to automatically provide
the problem’s location, simplifying the reporting process for users.
During the year-long pilot program, Garcetti’s staff members will
submit the requests to the appropriate city departments for action.

The application will be made available free of charge via iTunes later
this month. Within the next three months, CitySourced, powered by
FreedomSpeaks.com, also expects to expand availability of the
technology to other mobile platforms such as Google Android,
Blackberry, Palm, and Windows Mobile.

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About CitySourced

Los Angeles-based CitySourced is a real-time mobile civic engagement
platform that provides:

1.      A free, simple, and intuitive mobile application that empowers
residents to identify civic issues (graffiti, illegal signs, trash
etc.) and report them to city government for quick resolution
2.      An opportunity for government to use technology to do more with
less and to be more accountable to those they serve
3.      A positive, collaborative platform for real action

CitySourced is powered by FreedomSpeaks, the leader in interactive
civic engagement.