NEW YORK, NY June 29, 2009 —The city is hopping on the iPhone "app" bandwagon. Mayor Bloomberg is hoping software developers will take new data the city's posting online and turn it into applications for fun and profit. Take restaurant inspection grades.

BLOOMBERG: I think somebody could create an iPhone app that will allow people who are deciding between particular restaurants to check out the grades in a matter of seconds. It'd be one more way we can incentivize cleanliness and improve public health by reducing the food poisoning cases.

The city is launching what Bloomberg says will be an annual competition called "Big Apps." The Grand Prize winner gets to go out to dinner with the mayor.