It seems every government organisation now has a free application for smartphones and tablets, all of them promising to provide useful information and make your life easier. But deciding which ones to make space for, then download and try out, can be time-consuming. Hareth Al Bustani has tested them, so you don't have to
iDubai
OS: iOS, Android, BlackBerry
Features: This all-encompassing app by Dubai Municipality offers a long list of services. Find points of interest such as pharmacies by using GPS, inquire about status and use of land, and provide feedback with photos and GPS coordinates. Check the weather and high seas updates, and follow up on municipality requests. You can also request removal of harmful weeds and trees, sewage disposal, waste collection, and animal examination and treatment. Inquiries about street hygiene, water leaks, park facilities and even the "neatness" of salons are all covered. A nice finishing touch is an interactive map, news updates, legislation information, a service catalogue, project information, and photographs of old and new Dubai chronicling the emirate's rise.
Average App Store rating: 4 stars (based on 15 ratings).
Average Google Play rating: 4.3 stars (based on 380 ratings).
Average BlackBerry World rating: 4.5 stars.
Size: 19.6MB for iOS, 6.9MB for Android and 6MB for BlackBerry.
Languages: English and German.
RTA Dubai
OS: iOS, Android, BlackBerry
Features: The Dubai RTA's app highlights its nearest service centres, metro stops and bus stations. Drivers can use mParking without having to memorise the SMS format, while pedestrians can book taxis and access Dubai Metro's Nol services. Look up general points of interest, practise your RTA theory test, renew and apply for parking permits, top up your Nol card and book water taxis. The Al Hares e-service provides a confidential channel to report corruption, while schools and nurseries can access No Objection Certificate (Noc) services. There are also bid announcements, inquiry and payment services for fines, and number plate auction enquiries.
Average App Store rating: 4 stars (based on 143 ratings).
Average Google Play rating: 4.1 stars (based on 3,936 ratings).
Average BlackBerry World rating: 4 stars for BlackBerry 10 version.
Size: 24.2MB for iOS, 24MB for Android and 3MB for BlackBerry.
Languages: English.
Note: RTA's Smart Drive app is also popular, providing offline route planning, exploration and navigation services. The app helps users to avoid tolls and traffic, and outlines information such as parking zones and public transport links. It is rated 4.5 stars on Google Play, based on 11,979 ratings, and is also available for iOS.
CityGuard
OS: iOS, Android, BlackBerry
Features: This app, by the Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre, encourages residents in the capital to report and submit complaints directly to the Government. You can create a case and add notes, coordinates and media. You can then track its status, and follow up on Abu Dhabi Municipality's website or contact centre.
Average App Store rating: 4.5 stars (based on 23 ratings).
Average Google Play rating: 4 stars (based on 673 ratings).
Average BlackBerry World rating: 3.5 stars.
Size: 32.8MB for iOS, 1.8MB for Android and 634KB for BlackBerry.
Languages: English, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese and Spanish.
General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments
OS: iOS, BlackBerry
Features: Keep up with the latest fatwas and prayer times, locate your nearest mosque, and ask religious questions through text messages and email. The app also points out the direction of the Qibla, and has a library of Friday sermons and Awqaf publications to download. It also has a mobile donation service.
Average App Store rating: 4.5 stars (based on 224 ratings).
Average Google Play rating for Android app: 4.6 stars (based on 3,810 ratings).
Average BlackBerry World rating: 4.5 stars.
Size: 53MB for iOS, 4MB for BlackBerry.
Languages: English and Arabic.
Dubai Police
OS: iOS, Android
Features: Dubai Police's app helps residents contact police stations and access a broad range of services. Pay fines, report traffic accidents, request certificates, keep up to date with traffic, report crimes and apply for jobs. A special SOS button requests an emergency call back and even sends your location.
Average App Store rating: 4 stars (based on 21 ratings).
Average Google Play rating: 4.4 stars (based on 5,097 ratings).
Size: 44.6MB for iOS, Android varies.
Languages: English, Arabic, French, German, Russian, traditional Chinese and Urdu.
Abu Dhabi Police
OS: iOS, Android, BlackBerry
Features: The Abu Dhabi Police app provides traffic updates, and gives access to fines and number plate reservation services. Users can connect with lost and found, and the community police. It also locates police stations and has weather updates and prayer times. The e-version of your licence it displays is accepted by police and Saaed traffic officers.
Average App Store rating: 4.5 stars (based on 88 ratings).
Average Google Play rating: 4.2 stars (based on 1,098 ratings).
Average BlackBerry World rating: 4 stars.
Size: 11.5MB for iOS, 19MB for Android and 2MB for BlackBerry.
Languages: English and Arabic.
Others:
DHA
OS: iOS, Android, BlackBerry
Features: The Dubai Health Authority's comprehensive app provides information about healthcare centres, including directions for drivers. Access your appointments, prescriptions, lab results, medical advice, records, inpatient visits and health card details. The app has a calendar that simplifies registering and managing children's vaccination charts. Residents can also verify sick leave, research health packages, view supplier and professional profiles, and organise blood donation. The app has a body mass index (BMI) calculator, and provides information about news and events, visiting doctors and emergency options. It links with the Sehhaty App, DHA's records app, and the Dubai Doctors app, a search engine for heathcare centres and professionals.
Average App Store rating: 3 stars (based on 15 ratings).
Average Google Play rating: 4.1 stars (based on 125 ratings).
Average BlackBerry World rating: 3 stars.
Size: 4.3MB for iOS, 9.2MB for Android and 9MB for BlackBerry.
Languages: English and Arabic.
Manahaj Al Emarat (Ministry of Education)
OS: iOS
Features: A Ministry of Education app for pupils in government schools, parents and teachers. It allows them to communicate with each other, and offers books in Arabic and English. Students can write and share notes.
Average App Store rating: 3.5 stars (based on 36 ratings).
Size: 21.8MB for iOS
Language: Arabic.
Note: Although this is an iOS app, the ministry has another for Android devices called Abnaee, for parents of children in government schools. It offers similar features with quick summaries of student grades, attendance and schedules, information about schools and school transport, and a messaging service to communicate with schools. It is rated at 3.9 stars (based on 611 ratings) on Google Play and is 11MB.
Definitely Dubai (Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce)
OS: iOS, Android
Features: Residents and visitors can scan their surroundings to find nearby attractions, landmarks, hotels, shops and restaurants. The app provides information on the latest deals and special offers from shops, hotels, travel agents, restaurants and spas. A calendar also gives details of coming events.
Average App Store rating: 4.5 stars (based on 7 ratings).
Average Google Play rating: 4.1 stars (based on 170 ratings).
Size: 6.6MB for iOS, 11MB for Android.
Languages: English and Arabic.
halbustani@thenational.ae