The Foreign Service Journal, November 2013

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | NOVEMBER 2013 15 now,” says VOA Director David Ensor. “This is a big step forward, and these apps open up the Internet to a new generation of mobile users.” Chinese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish and English are among the 43 languages avail- able at the touch of a button on Apple iOS and Google Android. Both apps are free and offer the latest news and information in text, audio and video. You can even pick your favorite stories and download them for offline viewing, to watch or listen later if wireless reception is poor. Content is divided by region as well as topic, with special news sections on sci- ence and technology, health and enter- tainment. Users can customize the fonts and content, and the apps are designed for touch interactivity, so that you can easily change stories by swiping across the screen as if reading a newspaper or magazine. “Another feature we are very excited about,” Ensor adds, “is the capability the apps give to citizen journalists who can now use their mobile phones to directly share photos, audio, text or video with VOA editors in Washington, who can post them to any of our language service web- sites.” Users can also share their favorite stories on Facebook and Twitter. On the technical side, the app can pri- oritize content for users in areas with slow connections or expensive data rates, says Will Sullivan, the mobile project manager with the Broadcasting Board of Governors’ Office of Digital Design and Innovation, which spearheaded the rollout of the app. “This app allows you to switch to a low bandwidth mode, so, for example, in parts of Africa where connectivity is slow and data charges are high, users can get our content streamlined for their needs,” Sullivan says. In addition, the Android version of the app has integrated functionality with proxy server connections, so audiences can get unfiltered VOA news in countries where the Internet is censored by the government. To download the iPhone and iPad app, which offers news in 43 VOA languages, go to the Apple iTunes Store. To down- load the Android app, which includes 33 VOA languages, go to the Google Play Store. — Steven Alan Honley, Editor Putin 101 R ussian President Vladimir Putin has been in the news even more than usual lately, what with harboring Edward Snowden, publishing op-eds in the New York Times , brokering peace agreements in Syria (or stymieing U.S. diplomacy, take your pick), pronouncing on Italian politics, and defending his crackdowns on political opponents and endorsement of anti-gay legislation. (For a thoroughly annotated analysis of Putin’s Times op-ed, check out Max Fisher’s WorldViews column in the Sept. 12 Washington Post. ) With all that activity, it’s not easy to keep straight all the fascinating details of Pres. Putin’s life and career. But never fear! Buzzfeed is here with “One Post That Will Help You Understand Vladimir Putin,” courtesy of the Wilson Center. And for those who believe that a picture is worth a thousand words, you’ll find lots of action shots of the charismatic leader over the years. — Steven Alan Honley, Editor n A time of service…a time of need Help for Seniors May Be Just a Phone Call Away— Home Health Care Adult Day Care & Respite Care Prescription Drug Copayments Transportation to Medical Appointments Durable Medical Equipment For more information, please contact the SENIOR LIVING FOUNDATION OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE 1716 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20036-2902 Phone: (202) 887-8170 Fax: (202) 872-9320 E-Mail: info@SLFoundation.org Web Site: www.SLFoundation.org The Senior Living Foundation may be able to help you or someone you know. Some examples of assistance are: SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION