Arkansas State to host event to launch free mobile campus application

October 22, 2010 -- Arkansas State University has launched iASTATE, a free mobile campus application that brings university life to smartphones and mobile devices. The application offers mobile access to campus maps, event calendars, latest university news, sports schedules, a directory that allows students to contact various departments on campus and more.

A launch party for the suite of apps will be held Tuesday, Oct. 26, at noon at Heritage Plaza outside the Student Union. In addition to the launch, the Office of Admissions is giving away a free 4^th Generation iPod Touch, and refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public.

Students, faculty and staff can download the free iPhone application in the App Store. A similar free application is available for Blackberry (ASTATE mobile) via http://appworld.blackberry.com.

“We want to offer our students, faculty, staff and members of our community the best in technology and access, and that means making Arkansas State University services and information available to mobile users,” said Tammy Fowler, Director of Admissions.

“iASTATE is a big part of how I navigate campus and my own experience at Arkansas State University,” said senior business education major Claire Betz of Van Buren, Mo. “My campus experience, from sporting events to current events on campus, is now with me wherever I go. Even when I need to contact a particular department on campus, I have the contact information because now there’s an app for that.”

Developed by Blackboard Mobile, a division of education technology company Blackboard Inc., the application is also expected to be used by prospective students, parents, alumni and other members of the University community.

“We’re excited to have a partner in Blackboard that really understands the possibilities for mobile applications in education and can help us contact prospective students through their most valuable communication tool, their mobile phone,” said Fowler.

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