For anyone living in Abu Dhabi – and, importantly, for visitors too – it is getting increasingly easier to take care of everyday tasks such as paying traffic fines, requesting waste collection, finding out what events are on, or even learning more about local flora and fauna … all at the touch of a button. It’s all thanks to the online and mobile phone apps available to us.
One of the first and most successful apps used by residents is CityGuard. In case of an accident or public safety concern, it lets you take a photo or record a video or audio clip and immediately submit it to the relevant department, while at the same time tracking the progress of your report.
In the case of road accidents, the embedded map also provides instant geo-location, essential to ensure a swift arrival of the emergency crews.
Following in the footsteps of this pioneer, a series of new handy digital applications for smartphones and tablets – most of which are available for both iOS and Android, bilingual (in Arabic and English) and completely free – have been launched.
UAE-MOI
Developed by the Abu Dhabi Police, UAE-MOI lets you access essential services from the four main sectors of the Ministry of Interior (MOI): Traffic, Civil Defense, Police and Residence. Using the app, you can pay traffic fines, report lost documents, request visa entry permits, renew or amend vehicle registration and generally keep up to date with the latest news from the MOI.
ADX
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) has created a powerful yet user-friendly tool for professional stock traders – or just those who like to keep in the loop to decide the best investments to make. It provides market summaries, multiple watch-lists to keep track of different stocks (including top gainers, losers and most-traded) as well as real-time quotes, news and historical charts with technical analysis.
Darb
Described as an “intelligent transport system in the palm of your hand”, this essential app from the Department of Transport can help with a variety of travel information from booking a taxi online to live traffic conditions and holdups. Darb provides land, air and sea itineraries, bus travel maps and bus stop locations, and live information on bus arrivals, ferries to Delma, and flights. You can also use it to find parking and pay parking fees. Users can even report issues such as broken traffic signals and damaged road signs.
Tadweer Smart Application
You don’t have to waste any more time because of waste thanks to this handy app from the Centre of Waste Management Abu Dhabi (Tadweer). Booking waste collection or pest control services, locating customer service centres or dumpsites and making or following up on an enquiry about waste are the main services offered. From hazardous to medical waste, this app covers it all.
BeAtty
In Arabic ‘Be’atty’ means ‘my environment’ and this tablet app developed by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) allows you to access a wide range of eco-data in the Abu Dhabi area, such as marine and terrestrial habitats, flora and fauna distribution and more. One of the app’s unique features is the archive of satellite images depicting the entire country from 1972 to 2012.
ADFCA
Customer Application
With this app by the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) you can quickly get information about public safety matters such as product withdrawals, as well as information on facility closures. You can also take part in surveys on the quality of service received, and if you are a veterinary, agriculture or food sector professional you can access more dedicated services.
My Garden
The Western Region Municipality (WRM) introduced this new app for participants in the popular ‘My Garden My City’ horticultural festival. This competition aims to increase green spaces in suburban areas across the emirate, as well as spread awareness in the community about the importance of more sustainable gardening, such as sensible use of water.
Visit Abu Dhabi
Those looking for an easy-to-use guide to all there is to do and see in the capital will love this app developed by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi). It offers information on events, attractions, culture and heritage, as well as an online service to make a hotel or restaurant reservation. It also features a photographic collection that will inspire tourists and locals alike.
Laura Volpi
