Ministry of External Affairs launches Android and iOS apps
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has gone
all mobile with the launch of its application for the Android and iOS
platforms. The MEA app is currently up for grabs on the Google Play
store and on the iTunes store for free.
The application looks decent and sorted, and once launched, it takes no time in getting you to the page that contains all the options. What you see on this page is not a list, but a well-designed scroll wheel with options like Passport Services, Follow PM/EAM, Haj, E-Citizen, Media Centre, Public Diplomacy, Indian Missions Abroad, Visa/Consular Services, Kailash Mansavorar Yatra. To open any of the options, click on the option when the pointer is directed at it.
Suppose you want to see what options are listed within "Passport Services", click on the option by following the above instructions. Here you can learn how to apply for a passport in India, in addition to being able to locate the nearest Passport Seva Kendra, track your application and also download forms. At any point, you can hit the button with the home icon to return to the main screen and move on to other options.
Another interesting feature on the app is the My MEA option that allows users to customise and create their own ‘"MEA Screen". To create their own screen, users will have to click on the edit button at the top right corner to select the sections they wish to follow. They can then add a background image of their choice to their personalised MEA screen.
We tried installing the Android application and while we could do so, one thing we found odd was the long list of permissions that the app has access to. The MEA app can read phone status and identity, and can directly call phone numbers. It also has access to permissions to modify or delete the contents of your USB storage.
Click here to download the Android app and here for the iOS app. The MEA app for iOS devices is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation), and iPad. It is optimised for iPhone 5. This will work on devices running iOS 5.1 or later. The MEA app for Android requires devices running version 2.2 and up.
The application looks decent and sorted, and once launched, it takes no time in getting you to the page that contains all the options. What you see on this page is not a list, but a well-designed scroll wheel with options like Passport Services, Follow PM/EAM, Haj, E-Citizen, Media Centre, Public Diplomacy, Indian Missions Abroad, Visa/Consular Services, Kailash Mansavorar Yatra. To open any of the options, click on the option when the pointer is directed at it.
A screenshot of the MEA app
Suppose you want to see what options are listed within "Passport Services", click on the option by following the above instructions. Here you can learn how to apply for a passport in India, in addition to being able to locate the nearest Passport Seva Kendra, track your application and also download forms. At any point, you can hit the button with the home icon to return to the main screen and move on to other options.
Another interesting feature on the app is the My MEA option that allows users to customise and create their own ‘"MEA Screen". To create their own screen, users will have to click on the edit button at the top right corner to select the sections they wish to follow. They can then add a background image of their choice to their personalised MEA screen.
We tried installing the Android application and while we could do so, one thing we found odd was the long list of permissions that the app has access to. The MEA app can read phone status and identity, and can directly call phone numbers. It also has access to permissions to modify or delete the contents of your USB storage.
Click here to download the Android app and here for the iOS app. The MEA app for iOS devices is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation), and iPad. It is optimised for iPhone 5. This will work on devices running iOS 5.1 or later. The MEA app for Android requires devices running version 2.2 and up.
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