Chicon 7 Program App Available

Chicon 7 is offering app that lets users access convention information via handheld devices. Developed in partnership with Viafo, it is an enhanced version of the software used at last year’s Worldcon.

The version usable on Android phones, and tablets through Google Play, is already available. The one for iPhone and iPad will be offered soon via the iTunes App Store. Visit the Chicon 7 website to get instructions for downloading the app.

The app includes a full program schedule with item descriptions, times, and locations; a linked program participant list; social media integration; and hotel maps.

An upgrade last year is an integrated version of the program database, so information can be used offline. Members can resynchronize with the updated schedule at any time.

The full press release follows the jump.

PRESS RELEASE #33

Chicon 7 Announces Mobile App for Android and Apple Devices

Chicon 7, the 70th World Science Fiction Convention,

Chicago, IL – August 30 to September 3, 2012

[email protected]

www.chicon.org

Postal queries to: Chicon 7, P.O. Box 13, Skokie, IL 60076

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Chicago, Illinois, USA – Chicon 7, the 70th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), is pleased to announce that it will be providing its members with an online application for handheld devices that provides key convention information. The app was developed in partnership with Viafo (www.viafo.com) and is available for Android phones and tablets through Google Play, and will shortly be available for iPhone and iPad through the iTunes App Store.

The Chicon 7 app is an enhanced version of the software that was previously used for Renovation, the 2011 Worldcon. The app includes a full program schedule with item descriptions, times, and locations; a linked program participant list; social media integration; and hotel maps. A key improvement from Renovation is that the app now comes with an integrated version of the program database, enabling it to be used offline. Members can resynchronize the app at any time to provide the latest version of the program.

Full information and download details can be found on the Chicon 7 website at www.chicon7.org/mobile.php.

ABOUT VIAFO

Founded by a team of mobile industry veterans, Viafo is a cloud software provider whose mission is to dramatically reduce the cost and complexity of integrating apps with Web Services (Social Networking like Facebook & Twitter, Location Based Services). This allows developers to focus on building better and more reliable apps, providing users with a better experience.

Viafo is based in Seattle, WA, with offices in Palo Alto and London.

ENDS

Chicon 7 is the 2012 World Science Fiction Convention (“Worldcon”). The first Worldcon occurred in New York City in 1939 and Worldcons have been held annually since then except for 1942-45 when there was no event due to World War II. Chicon 7’s Guests of Honor are five-time Hugo winning author Mike Resnick, artist Rowena Morrill, art agent and collector Jane Frank, science fiction fan and former Worldcon chair Peggy Rae Sapienza, and astronaut Story Musgrave. Chicon 7’s Toastmaster is John Scalzi.

For more details about the convention or to purchase memberships, visit www.chicon.org. Send press questions, or requests to be removed from the Chicon 7 press release mailing list, to [email protected]. Send general queries to [email protected]. “World Science Fiction Society,” “WSFS,” “World Science Fiction Convention,” “Worldcon,” “NASFiC,” “Hugo Award,” and the distinctive design of the Hugo Award Rocket are service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society.