Boston becomes the first city to offer its own iPhone app

Boston becomes the first city to offer its own iPhone app

A city steeped in history turns to technology to report neighborhood nuisances. Boston becomes the first city in the country to offer an iPhone application connecting communities with city hall. See a pothole that needs filling? Trash littering the road? A busted street light? If you live in Bean Town and have an iPhone you'll soon be able to report it to city hall in a snap. With a few clicks, through the iPhone, people will be able to send a photo of the problem, along with a description. And because the iPhone has GPS, the exact location of the problem will go to the city's 24 hour phone bank. "It's a great new way of using technology in the city of Boston to make sure the people of Boston have that direct contact with the city," said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. The development cost for the application was $25,000 but it's not up and running yet. It should launch in the middle of August.