Presidential Inauguration apps, tips and tech tricks
AT&T is ready to help you navigate the city, crowds and websites for the Presidential Inauguration.
So for those in our Nation's Capital or those that may be gathering around the television, tablet or smartphone, here are some tips as Donald J. Trump is sworn into office.
There will be hundreds of thousands of people on the National Mall all trying to check in on Facebook and Instagram at critical moments of high intensity, with the potential to cause some network congestion. Be tech-smart and follow these tips: - Bring backup: Congestion on the roads and public transportation, not to mention long security lines and the event itself, means you should bring a backup battery or portable charger in case yours gets low. - TXT: With all large, high-traffic events, we suggest texting rather than calling since it’s easier for texts to cross the network. In case of emergency, 9-1-1 gets priority on the network. - Don't lose your data. Save, then send: If you are having problems uploading your photos, save, then share them with friends.
- Use Wifi: AT&T customers have free access to nearly 60 free AT&T WiFi hot spots near the National Mall. Customers who want to share pictures and videos with friends can use these hot spots if they want to get in out of the cold.
Remain alert: Using a smartphone in a large crowd can expose you to numerous hazards like physical injury or pocket theft if you’re not paying attention. Remain vigilant to your surroundings, avoid crossing streets while looking at your phone and be mindful of others around you. AT&T’s Transportation Tips: Washington, DC is known for its modern and friendly subway system, but there are many other ways to come and go, including bikes, buses, cars and taxis. During the Presidential Inauguration, the city will be packed – streets and sidewalks included. Cruise through the crowds with piece of mind by downloading these apps that can help you weigh your options: - DC Metro and Bus – DC Metro and Bus is the region's most popular dedicated DC transit app. Real-time rail and bus predictions and DC Metro map directly from WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority), ART (Arlington Transit) and DC Circulator, serving DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland. Android and iOS, Free.
- BusTrackDC – Find the nearest Metro bus, rail, Circulator, or streetcar stops, when the next bus or train is arriving, and where each route will take you -- all in real time. Plan your trip with built-in transit directions, save your favorite stops for easy access, or search for route maps by name. All with a beautiful interface and lightning quick responsiveness. Android and iOS, Free
- Capitol Bikeshare's Spotcycle – Don’t let traffic get in your way of history! This free bike share application allows you to locate nearby bike stations for bike and bike dock availabilities, and also lets you view bike paths to help you maximize your bike trips. Bikeshare is a very popular program in the capital. Android and iOS, Free.
- Parking Panda – This app was created by a local Baltimore startup, and lets you reserve and pay for local parking from your phone, and with up to 70% savings. Android and iOS, Free. - Many taxicab services have apps like the major ride-sharing services, so download those apps ahead of time and help support locally owned small businesses, like taxis. Best-Of Tourist Sites: While you’re in town, why not explore new places and the historic and cultural side of the nation’s capital? - Smithsonian Museums – Plan your Smithsonian visit. Includes maps, museum floor plans, navigation tools, and custom themed tours! Android and iOS, Free.
- National Zoo – Need a break from politics? The National Zoo is the perfect place to getaway. Make your day at the Zoo even better with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo app. Features include a GPS-enabled interactive map of the Zoo, animal demonstrations schedule, self-guided tours and a live public transportation feed. Android and iOS, $1.99.
- National Archives – This app is an interactive gallery that enables you to browse the National Archives through a collection of 385 fascinating documents and photographs and learn what significant event happened on your birthday. Android and iOS, Free.
- The Historic C & O Hiking Trail – Download the AllTrails app to help you explore the historic C&O Canal trail to its fullest. This app maps trails and your path as you move. You can also find traveler’s tips, and add pictures to your map to share with other travelers! Android and iOS, Free.
- Arlington National Cemetery – Use the ANC Explorer app to navigate the 624 acres at Arlington National Cemetery, find photos of monuments and directions to gravesites, or take a self-guided tour. Android and iOS, Free. - DC Public Library – Looking for a quiet place to escape the crowds? Find the hours and location of the closest public library. Android and iOS, Free. AT&T’s Dining Recs: check out AT&T’s recommendations for top apps to find food in Washington, DC! - Yelp – Locate nearby restaurants and find reviews and photos of food from the people who know it best – restaurant guests. Android and iOS, Free. - ScoutMob – If you want to experience what is local and awesome about a city like DC, ScoutMob’s app is for you. Focusing on locally made and owned shops, bars, restaurants and venues, it helps you seek out new experiences on and off the beaten path. Android and iOS, Free - HappyCow – Have a vegetarian or vegan in your group? Use the HappyCow app to locate nearby vegan and vegetarian restaurants. Comes complete with reviews. Android and iOS, $3.99 - OpenTable – To avoid crowds and a long line at the hot dog stand, book a table at a local restaurant. Use OpenTable to find reservations, whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Android and iOS, Free. - Urbanspoon – With just a shake of your phone, discover new cuisines you’ve never tried at nearby restaurants. You can sort by price, type of cuisine or distance. Android and iOS, Free. Capturing the Perfect Moment: Millions have heard of Instagram, but with an abundance of alternative photography apps available in the Apple App Store and Google Play, you should have no problem finding a perfect app to snap, filter, and edit photos while you visit Washington, DC for the 2017 Presidential Inauguration. - Snapseed – Snapseed is incredibly easy to use, but at the same time, it offers a powerful collection of tools. It excels in all basic photo processing techniques, including exposure, color, sharpening, cropping and straightening. It also offers advanced editing features such as selective adjustments and a healing tool for removing unwanted objects. The perfect app for recording history! Android and iOS, Free
- TouchRetouch – Did you just snap the almost perfect picture at Inauguration? No worries, TouchRetouch enables you to rewrite history and remove unwanted objects and blemishes from your photos. Android and iOS, $1.99
- Camera+ - Not a professional photographer but want to shoot like one? With its amazing features and tools, Camera+ is the only app you will need to make your Inauguration photos Instagram-ready. iOS, $2.99 Network Enhancements At-A-Glance Fast Facts for the Inauguration: - AT&T is investing nearly $15,000,000 and boosting LTE capacity across DC by 400% for the Inauguration. - 2 years of testing, planning, and deploying network enhancements. - Team of more than 50 network engineers involved in Inauguration network planning and deployment. - 20 new or upgraded Distributed Antenna System (DAS) at big venues including hotels and the three major airports in the DC area. - 7 Super Cell on Wheels (COWs) planned for deployment in Washington, DC along the two-mile National Mall. Two of these COWs are equipped with our newest, high-capacity antenna, the Drum Set Antenna, which provides 20x more LTE capacity compared to a traditional cell site. - 7 COWs on National Mall equal to 50 traditional cell sites.
