Pope2You: Vatican Launches Boring IPhone and Facebook Apps
The Catholic Church isn't exactly known for its speedy adoption of new technologies, but today the Vatican launched a new web portal, as well as a Facebook app to coincide with the upcoming 43rd World Communications Day. In addition, the Vatican also announced an iPhone application. The iPhone application has not been approved by Apple yet, (we assume that even the Vatican's apps gets scoured for porn and profanities), but the Facebook app is available now.
iPhone App: Not Approved Yet
None of these apps look to be groundbreaking in either design or functionality. The iPhone/iPod touch app, once approved, will give users the ability to watch videos and hear speeches by Pope Benedict XVI, as well as other content from Catholic events worldwide.
Facebook App: Boring
The Facebook app, which is currently loading very slowly, is also not exactly the most groundbreaking app either. Facebook users will be able to send and receive 20 different virtual postcards of the Pope, with texts available in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish (with Latin being conspicuously absent here). According to the app's description, installing it will allow you to "Spread friendship with the Pope and become a witness of Christ in the world through the web."
In January this year, the Vatican also launched its YouTube channel, though so far, none of the videos posted there have gone viral yet.
Disappointment: Can't Poke the Pope
For now, however, users who were hoping to get a chance to poke the Pope or even just friend him on Facebook are out of luck, as the Pope does not have an official Facebook profile, yet.
Share
Facebook
Comments
Subscribe to comments for this post OR Subscribe to comments for all ReadWriteWeb posts
is nothing sacred anymore? ;)
Actually, I think the Church has done a reasonably good job of embracing the new technologies, especially considering the size and nature of the institution. The timeline of the Church, after all, is eternity.
Having said that, there's plenty of room for improvement and I think your review of their latest efforts is pretty much spot-on. I was just suggesting on another Catholic blog that perhaps the Vatican should hire a CTO, or at least a talented designer like Cameron Moll, who's been doing some awfully good work for the Church of Latter-Day Saints. Shame that I can't just tweet that suggestion over to the Pope...
Probably not a great direction to move in. Am not sure though. But it will reach more ppl this way no doubt.
I am saying my prayers that this is untrue... Rgds Vince
@Robin: I agree, Cameron Moll did a very good job on those sites!
The Pope pages have the right idea (postcards with the Pope, etc), but imo, rather poor execution.
It could, and should, be so much more. And I can see them doing a 2.0 version with fantastic art and updates.
Anyone can have more friends or followers than the pope on social sites :) http://twittas.com/benedicto/
Even the Church is now into technology. But unfortunately, that Facebook app is really boring.
From the tech point of view, these apps are maybe nothing but are somehow helpful for Christians worldwide to keep in touch with the Pope. I hope the Pope set up an official facebook quickly. It's gonna be fun to poke a pope.
I Love situs pope2you vatikan n i love paus benedict n paus Yohanes Paulus II he start world
Interesting idea.. It's good to know that there are other options to visit and good letters to collect instead of those junk mails flooding out my inbox.
The greatest benefit of Facebook is that it has many groups on the site that you can join. So if you are interested in Chicago Cubs you can research Chicago Cubs in the groups section and you will be able to find friends on there that like the Cubs. This is just one example, I know that you can join groups of your favorite football team, television show, or whatever you want for the most part! If you can't find a group for your interest, you can simply create one!
UQ
http://EmailCharger.com
The iPhone app will probably be rejected for obscene language. ;-)
Xavor launches free iphone web-app for MS CRM 4.0 (dynamics) to access your company's CRM data with your iphone. http://bit.ly/dXgzI
Can you help me to learn English ?This is my Email Address
yesuwoaini2009@163.com .
Learn English Online using most common English expressions and learn how to speak English fluently. Free lessons available online, so learn English today.
thank you ...