App turns your iPhone into an ObamaPhone

It was only a matter of time, right? The free app delivers campaign updates, alerts on local events, a prominent "Donate" button, and—most importantly—a contact organizer for calling pals in battleground states. Note to McCain: You gotta get one of these.

The "Obama '08" app, available now from the iTunes App Store (and discovered by CNET News.com), boasts a slick-looking, donkey-blue interface with about a half-dozen menu option, plus (of course) a green "Donate" button at the bottom that dials the Obama camp's donation hotline.

Some of the features here are pretty clever; for instance, the app will locate you via GPS and pinpoint your nearest Obama campaign office. You can also check the candidate's position on dozens of issues, ranging from civil rights and defense to technology and veterans, read press releases, sign up for alerts (which, of course, involves sending your e-mail address and cell number to Obama HQ), or watch the latest attack ads.

Best of all, though, is this little gem: a "Call Friends" option that organizes your buddies by state, with the battleground states first. No, the app doesn't scoop up all your friends' phone numbers (or at least, that's what the fine print says), but it does "anonymously" report back on the total number of Obama calls you've made, which then get tallied on a "Call Stats" page. (As of Thursday afternoon: 154 total calls made from the "Obama '08" app.)

Overall, a nifty tactic by the Obama campaign—and it's a safe bet that apps like these will be commonplace in future races. But where's the McCain version? I did a quick search of the App Store and came up empty (that is, unless you count the "McCain Inauguration Countdown"). Given how the polls are looking, Steve Schmidt & company better get someone on the case, pronto.

Related:
Obama releases iPhone recruiting, campaign tool [CNET]