INTERNETWORKS

SIGNALs guide to Web resources

For the past 14 years the Webby Awards have honored the best websites in several categories. In 2007, the Webbies began to embrace the many different offerings of the Internet, including those created for mobile devices. Awards were handed out in nine categories under the "Mobile" division in 2010. The Webbies say that the winners "have shown the foresight and ingenuity to excel within a quickly changing and increasingly fragmented Mobile Web universe," and the sampling listed in this month's column could spark ingenuity in other organizations looking to enhance their appworld presence.

Wildlife's Fate is in Your Hands

www.wwfchina.org/aboutwwf/miniwebsite/fateinhand/en

A product of the WWF, this mobile application won the Webby for "Best Use of Mobile Video." It also took home "People's Voice Winner" in the "Experimental and Innovation" category. Users point their camera phones anywhere, and the technology transplants a virtual bear into that environment. People can watch the displaced animal react to living in its new surroundings. The application can be downloaded from the website, which also includes a list of compatible platforms.

Barnes and Noble iPhone App

www.barnesandnoble.com/iphone/index.asp

This tool took home the People's Voice Winner award in the "Mobile Marketplace and Services" category. Available for free in the Apple iPhone App Store, the tool lets users browse recommendations, new releases or video interviews in the "Discover" section; search books and media by snapping a picture of a book's front cover and receiving information about it in the "Search" section; and locating the closest physical shop as well as learning about the features and programs it offers in the "Stores" section.

Foursquare

http://foursquare.com

Another winner of both the official and the people's voice Webbies, this time in the "Social Networking" category, foursquare has gained plenty of media attention. For those still in the dark, the application connects people by letting them know one another's locations. It also offers ideas about activities in certain geographic areas. After downloading the application to cell phones, users can sync it with their address book and Facebook and Twitter accounts and check in at various locations so their friends know where they are. Even cell phones without Internet access can participate through text messages. People can share information about spots by listing tips, and they can add locations not previously listed by foursquare. The application also is part of its own game in which players compete to earn badges and points by checking in. Whoever checks in the most from certain individual locations becomes the foursquare "mayor" of that place. In some instances, companies reward visitors who return often with special deals. The app's Web homepage lists compatible platforms. Clicking on the platform of choice will give visitors information on how to download the tool.

These sites are not affiliated with AFCEA or SIGNAL Magazine, and we are not responsible for the content or quality of the products offered. When visiting new websites, please use proper Internet security procedures.

Evernote

www.evernote.com

Evernote took home both the Webby and the People's Voice Winner award in the category simply labeled "Mobile Applications." The service works by connecting all the computers and telephones of users so people can capture a piece of information on one device and access it from any other, even offline. The tool also takes the information, whether in the form of a Web clip, audio file, text, snapshot or something else, automatically processes and indexes it, and makes it searchable. Users can add tags or organize notes into different notebooks, then search by keywords, titles and tags. Even printed and handwritten text inside images is searchable. Evernote works with Mac OS X, Windows and Windows Mobile, Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, BlackBerry, Palm Pre and Palm Pixi, and Evernote 's own Web Clipper. The application can be downloaded from the website, which also posts instructions for employing it with various platforms. Use of the tool is free for a basic account. A premium account offers additional benefits for $5 per month or $45 per year.