The government releases mobile apps

Want to check TSA wait times, product recalls, or hydrogen fuel locations? Thanks to our government, there are now apps for that.

USA.gov, the informative Web site managed by the federal government, has launched a trio of new mobile apps for the iPhone and Blackberry.

– Alternative Fuel Locator: Users can connect to their phone’s mobile location tracker to find the closest stations for natural gas, hydrogen, and electrical charging.

– Product Recalls: This app allows users to use the phone camera to scan a product barcode to see if there are any recalls associated with the product. It also provides a simple list of current recalls.

– MyTSA: Search for an airport and check the current TSA security checkpoint wait times.

USA.gov has launched dozens of mobile apps, but many of them just direct the phone’s browser to a mobile Web site. Some of the government’s most popular mobile apps include the USPS Mobile app and the FBI Most Wanted app.

“About two-thirds of Americans believe that when something is run by government, it’s usually inefficient. All the research shows the best way to change perception is through actual interaction with government,” said Jeffrey Zients, the fedeal chief performance officer for the Office of Management and Budget.