Does the weather where people in the U.S. and around the globe live make them happy? That's what an iPhone weather app's "Happiness Index" seeks to determine. Weathermob has taken how users feel about the weather win their city and ranked the findings from most to least happy. more ›

The Studio for Southern California History has given Los Angeles nerds an early holiday present: a free iTunes app that tells you something important, awesome or bizarre that happened on any given date in the city's history. more ›

To help guide you through the abyss of "artisanal" coffee options in Los Angeles all you need is your phone or iPad, and the L.A.'s Best Coffee app, which we heard about this morning via Eater LA. We know what you're thinking: THANK GOD, IT'S ABOUT TIME. more ›

Hurricane Irene is about to bear down on the Eastern seaboard of the U.S., and while we won't be feeling the effects of her fury here directly, for those in L.A. trying to head to the other side of the nation, serious travel disruptions are in the forecast. more ›

The Los Angeles Public Library’s Silver Lake Branch is one of--if not the--innovative of the system's branches, and now they are getting ready to launch a mobile app that will allow patrons to use their own smartphone to check out materials from anywhere within the library. more ›

It's 6:20 on a Thursday evening, and you're supposed to meet a friend for a drink at one of the restaurants on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City. So, uh...where is there a free parking spot? As of today, iPhone and Android users can tap into vacant spaces in Studio City with Parker, the real-time parking app. The launch of the app in Studio City was marked at an event featuring the participation of City Councilman Paul Krekorian, along with city officials and tech leaders. more ›

If you've ever been out and about and wondered (as surely we all have): "Am I breaking the law if I..." and you are an iPhone user, you might want to make a 99-cent investment in a new app released today called Cal Codes. Also handy for those study law enforcement or law, the Cal Codes app "contains the complete California State Penal code, Vehicle Code and Criminal Code." Go forth, legal eagles, and arm yourself with info on what's a felony, misdemeanor, or infraction in the Golden State. more ›

"Austerity" is the most looked-up word of 2010, but "App" is the American Dialect Society's pick for the top term of the year, notes KFI. The tech-y abbreeve for a cell phone or computer software program won extra exposure with the slogan "There's an app for that," app stores, and according to the official press release, “One of the most convincing arguments from the voting floor was from a woman who said that even her grandmother had heard of it.” more ›

It's all 21st century and shizzle in the LBC! Long Beach residents are now just a tap away from reporting "potholes, graffiti, sidewalk damage, and other service needs to the City," with the launch of the free "Go Long Beach" smartphone app, reports the Press-Telegram. Requests submitted via iPhone or BlackBerry go right to work crews, "who will respond to them faster than requests made by telephone or e-mail." (Android version arrives in December.) The app allows users to include GPS info, photos, and a description of the issue. More categories will be added based on need and requests. more ›

Just in time for all the iPhone 4 buzz today, an app to guide you through the Hollywood Bowl has been launched. The free app, which can be downloaded beginning today for iPhone or Android, will also be available on Blackberry and mobile web in July. Features includes basics like concert information, videos, photos and how to get there. But some features are especially useful. To name a few: the GPS-enabled map to help you find seats and nearby amenities (where's the nearest bathroom or concession stand to buy a drink?) and a favorites tab to remind you of concerts you're interested in. Bowl officials also announced that AT&T has improved service throughout the 110-acre venue so your access to the app, Twitter, Facebook or whatever else you desire with more ease. more ›

The civic-minded or the out-of-towners can get acquainted better with Downtown Long Beach now thanks to a new iPhone application that will help people navigate the area, according to the Press-Telegram. The free app, currently only available for iPhone, aims to put the city's business district just a touch away for those who want to learn about events, where to find parking, report graffiti, hop on a bus, or where to get a bite to eat. Eventually the developers, Meta Flavor, plan to enhance the app by adding personal preference-based restaurant results, public safety alerts, and more. They also plan to develop versions for BlackBerry and Android phones. more ›

A couple weeks ago, Council President Eric Garcetti launched a pilot iPhone app that let's citizens report problems within District 13. It's a simple concept: identify a problem, such as graffiti or a pot hole, open the app, snap a photo and send it in. Because the app has already GPS'd your location, you don't have to worry about finding an address. You'll also be given the option to show off your civic pride by having the app auto-tweet it out. more ›

City Council President Eric Garcetti will officially launch his free iPhone App tomorrow and is inviting folks to come out to Historic Filipinotown in the morning to download it and try it out by reporting potholes, graffiti and other problems. “Garcetti 311,” which will work for all of District 13 (.pdf map) that spans parts of Echo Park, Silver Lake and Northeast L.A., is a pilot program to let citizens report problems with visual evidence from the streets. more ›

Heading to Coachella this weekend? Have an iPhone? Make sure you get the updated 2010 Coachella iPhone app, designed by Angeleno Dave Bullock, downloaded before you go. The app, updated since its launch last year, includes new features like a Forum Browser (message board), parking spot map marking function, simplified friend finder function, offline interactive map cacheing, and more. The Coachooser enables you to plot your own schedule based on the lineup. You can also upload photos to the app to share with friends. And since you spent enough on those 3-day-passes, this app is free! Just make sure you aren't tipsy enough to drop your iPhone into a porta-potty. more ›

He has launched a policy blog, made some useful Google maps and now the newly elected Los Angeles Councilman Paul Krekorian is preparing to launch an iPhone App in April, says ABC News. "We're living in a time where people expect more efficiency, more engagement and acocuntablity from their elected officials. This is a vehicle to accomplish all of those things," he said. The app is expected to act as a conduit for emergency info, news, road closures and let users report potholes, etc. As usual, Krekorian is leading the way, trying something new and perhaps setting a standard other city councilmembers will have to catch up with. more ›

Whether you're a frequent visitor to Disneyland or you make it to the house the Mouse built just once in a blue moon, there's an iPhone app that will take you on a virtual treasure hunt and allow you to explore the park in perhaps a whole new way, explains the OC Register. more ›

We've had a mobile web version for some time, but now all the Gothamist sites can be found in one very simple iPhone app called Istaverse. For now, it's super basic and offers access to all thirteen -ist cities (a dedicated LAist version will come at some point). Best of all, this app will cache your setting so you can read it when there is no cell or internet service around, such as when you're on the subway (that's until they get cell service working in the tunnels). It's free and you can find it here (link opens iTunes store). more ›

The people behind a nicely done, but faux press release and University of California website about $0 tuition last month are at it again. UCSD's b.a.n.g. lab in the Visual Arts Department have by introducing the controversial Transborder Immigrant Tool, which will "allow virtual geography to mark new trails and potentially safer routes across this desert of the real" for those crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. more ›

Okay, first, before we go any further, somewhat of a disclaimer: LAist didn't name this app, ergo please do not take this opportunity to school everyone on what you consider "East Side" or not. Now, let us begin... more ›

Raise your hand if you've been a long time KCRW member who keeps on forgetting to use their Fringe Benefits card? Yeah, that's us, too. We keep on imagining the money that could have been saved--from airport parking to a plethora of restaurants and yoga studios--all over the region. After launching three iPhone apps earlier this summer, KCRW this week announced a free GPS-enabled Fringe Benefits app that lets you know where discounts are in relation to your current location. The application does, however, require you to be upgraded to 3.0 software. And speaking of discounts and good deals... did you read this week's Recession Obsession on breakfast sandwiches? more ›

Surprisingly, this didn't happen earlier. A new iPhone App simply called Cannabis, which will "let users search by city for their nearest medical cannabis suppliers, doctors, clinics, lawyers and other relevant organisations," explains The Sun. "Makers the campaign group Ajnag.com hope to add cannabis related news, menus, reviews and videos soon." Also: A few months ago, the iPhone compatible Weedmaps launched. It uses Google Maps and is also like the Cannabis app, being all social networky and all. There's even a community section so patients can find marijuana related jobs, 420 friendly roommates and more. more ›

It was a craaaaazy night on the town. You took dozens of photos with your pocket-sized digital camera. But you don't have Photoshop, and all you want to do is upload your pics directly to Flickr (something you could even do wirelessly if Hanukkah Harry hooks you up with with an Eye-Fi). Good news. Flick just went live with a new feature that allows you to crop, resize, touch-up, de-red-eye, brighten, and flip your... more ›