City spotlight:
The “This is Hong Kong” application illustrates what makes Asia’s world city dynamic and cosmopolitan, Information Services Department Deputy Director Mary Leung says.
‘This is Hong Kong’ app launches
February 19, 2012
For a glimpse of Hong Kong, from anywhere at any time, people can now turn to their handy mobile device and download a free mobile application, “This is Hong Kong”.
The Information Services Department launched the app to illustrate what makes Asia’s world city dynamic and cosmopolitan. It is now available for the iPad, iPhone, Android tablets and Android phones.
Information Services Department Deputy Director Mary Leung said it offers a quick yet comprehensive overview of the city.
"This is Hong Kong" presents key attributes and values of Hong Kong and its people. Under categories such as culture and arts, sports, the economy, education, urban architecture and heritage, transport and people, it offers real-life profiles of people, places and events.
"By incorporating some dynamic links which lead to relevant useful websites, you can immediately click on the webpage. We also incorporate some videos about Hong Kong, not just pictures and text," Mrs Leung said.
Potential visitors to Hong Kong and local residents who would like to introduce the city to relatives and friends abroad will find the app particularly useful. A maps section is connected to Google maps, so visitors can easily identify their location.
The app also provides essential statistics about the city's economy, snippets on must-see places and surprising trivia. It notes that Hong Kong overtook New York to become the world’s largest wine auction centre in 2010.
"Even teachers and students who would like to know more about Hong Kong will find this a very good source of information," Mrs Leung said.
Trend tracking
Many Government departments have launched mobile apps to better connect to the public.
News.gov.hk, for example,
also has
iPhone,
iPad and
Android versions, with a rising number of subscribers. An iPad application was also launched last year for the latest yearbook, "Hong Kong 2010".
"It came to our attention that these mobile devices are becoming popular, especially among the younger generations. We would like to use this new powerful new tool to convey the messages about Hong Kong and to reach out to a much bigger audience than before," Mrs Leung said.
“This is Hong Kong” is available in English, traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese versions, and can be downloaded at the
Apple App Store and
Android Market.
A hard-copy edition is available for free at the Information Services Department Publications Sales Unit, 4/F, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong.
