Essential Smart Phone Apps for Occupiers

Think smart, or rather, smart phones. Whether you’re looking for an inexpensive place to dine out, some scrabble on-the-go or protesting on Wall Street, have no fear – there’s an app for that. 

Smart phone apps are revolutionizing the way protestors from Wall Street and Oakland to college campuses are organizing the Occupy movement. 

At any given Occupy protest, there are teach-ins, group discussions, marches, and other events. But, with more than 10,000 people standing up to shut down the Port of Oakland and thousands more continuing to occupy Zuccotti Park in New York, writing the daily schedule at each respective protest on a dry erase board has lost its efficiency. 

Now, specific Occupy apps are available to arm protestors with new tools to organize their demonstrations—and, of course, find pizza.

The Occupy Wall Street App is a must-have for instant, up-to-date information on all the occupy movements around the world. With the app, protestors are able to read top news stories, stream live video, view Twitter feeds, learn about occupy-related events, and share news articles with friends. And as if that’s not enough, the app also has a “have-to-have apps” feature that allows users to search for more relevant apps.

As arrests at occupy-related protests nears the 3,000 count, peacefully protesting is a risk in some cities. But don’t worry—if you’re taken into custody, there’s an app for that! Jason Van Anden developed the I’m Getting Arrested App in response to a real Occupy Wall Street incident. The app allows users to write a brief message and enter the numbers of recipients in advance; if the user is arrested, they simply push a large target button to send their message to followers. With more than 10,000 downloads already, it comes at a cost that occupiers like—free—and is available in 13 languages. 

The amount of people at any given Occupy site varies, but funding makes it difficult to purchase the technology for occupiers’ public speaking and announcements. With this in mind, Nathan Hamblen created The Shouty App, which allows users to transform their smartphone or laptop into a microphone and project the sound through the phone’s speaker. The app employs technology similar to that used on Internet radio to allow people who are at a disadvantaged location to hear the speaker or for those at home to tune in. 

And more common applications can provide huge benefits for occupiers, as well.

Various weather apps, like The Weather Channel app, prepare protestors for inclimate weather (ready the tents!) while apps like Yelp and Urbanspoon help protestors unfamiliar with their surroundings find dining options.

The Bump It App makes networking simple—you can share messages, contacts, music and more by simply bumping hands with another user!

Or maybe the protest has reached a lull and you’ve found yourself with some downtime. Why not settle for a game of Angry Birds? Or use the Kindle App to delve into a good book. 

If you have a smartphone, make sure your battery is charged and get connected. 

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