EDITORIAL

The new Xavier app perplexed us at the Newswire at first. An app for Xavier? Usually there are apps that

help you pass the time in class, like Angry Birds, or apps for specialized functions,

like checking scores on ESPN. Not only was there confusion about the main point

of the app, but there is always significant reason to doubt Xavier's technological

prowess. Let's be honest, who hasn't spent hours waiting for Xavier internet,

Blackboard or the portal to load?

But, once downloaded, the app impressed us. It has many useful features for

smart phone or tablet users. To begin, the app works—nothing short of amazing

for any piece of Xavier University technology. The app, thus far, has run without

errors and moves through the main interface to specific functions. Next, the large

variety of options from the main menu allows the app to quickly load the main

interface and get to what you need to find, whether that may be maps of campus

or the women's soccer score from last night.

Perhaps the most useful feature of the app is the staff directory. From the

interface you can search the directory and find your professor's e-mail and phone

number. This will surely come in handy during some time of panic when you are

computerless (perhaps in the printing lab?) and frantically attempting to send your

professor an email explaining you cannot print your homework because the fantastic

printing resources available at Xavier "may or may not" be working.

While this app may not become the newest XU craze, it provides convenience

and functionality for Xavier students, fans and faculty. It is sure good to see Xavier using technology in a

creative and useful way.