New app for U.S. economic data

A new smart phone app, called Labor Stats, gives users access to a number of key statistics describing the U.S. economy, including the unemployment rate, the consumer price index and initial claims for unemployment insurance.

The app was developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and was made available for download Friday morning.

The new app is currently available for iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android phones. Versions for BlackBerry and the iPad are currently being developed, the Labor Department says.

For more information or to download the app, visit www.dol.gov/dol/apps/numbers-app.htm.