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A sure sign of how the internet has become integral to the 2012 Presidential Election is the emergence of the smartphone. On Tuesday, the Obama campaign rolled out a new app, designed to bring organizing advice and voter ID info directly to individuals equipped with IPhones and Android-powered devices. Business Week reported the Romney campaign followed the next day, rolling out their own app to voters, only this one is more singular in focus; the app will announce Romney’s pick for Vice President.

“The historic announcement is getting closer,” Beth Myers, the Romney adviser leading his search for a running mate, said in an e-mail announcing the app.

Blackberry users appear to be out of luck this time. Both apps are designed for only Iphones or Android devices. However, the use of smartphones in this manner comes as no surprise. In 2008, then-Senator Obama’s campaign relied heavily on Facebook, Twitter and social networking in general to mobilize young and upwardly mobile voters and to coordinate organizing efforts both on the campaign trail and later at the polls. The McCain campaign had only a minor footprint in social media and many believe this contributed to his loss.

Romney’s campaign, while more cautious in their usage of the technology, does not plan to be caught flatfooted the same way.

“Users of this app will be the first to get the news on the biggest political decision of the year,” Zac Moffatt, the Romney campaign’s digital director, added in the e-mail.

President Obama’s campaign hopes the application will provide valuable assistance to campaign volunteers who may otherwise have difficulty receiving the latest news and information to organize voter registration drives and transportation to polling locations for likely voters. In 2008, many credit the President’s volunteers with leveraging this technology to maximum effectiveness, and increasing voter turnout among traditionally low-voting blocs, such as minorities and college-age voters.

“The app will make it even easier to connect with the campaign and pitch in wherever you are,” an announcement touting the new app states. “This campaign’s strength has always come from the millions of grassroots supporters who are organizing their communities, and the new Obama app puts the latest organizing tools right at your fingertips.”

Several other smartphone apps already exist having to do with this years election. Politifact.com has its own app out, in which voters can review which promises and statements made hold up to their fact-checking tests. Many newspapers have rolled out smartphone apps which allow users to view election results for both national and local races. And with the rollout of smartphone-based debit and credit card readers, organizers are now able to raise money while literally on the go.

The ultimate evolution in this new technology, apps which allow voters to cast their ballot using their smartphones, is likely years away. Experts say that overcoming issues with identity theft, voter fraud and data security, all of which affect the integrity of results, need to be overcome before lawmakers and, more important, voters themselves can be assured that smartphones are not just a tool for campaigns, but the future of elections themselves.