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Smithsonian Creates App For Presidential Portraits

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery has a new way for visitors to see its images of the U.S. presidents up close.

The museum is launching a new iPad app called the "America's Presidents App," focused on its most popular collection. The app will serve as a guide to each official presidential portrait with insights on each president.

The museum says users can zoom in on the paintings to view brushstrokes in detail. It also includes facts on each president, copies of historical documents, games, videos and audio recordings to show the personalities and achievements of each president.

Interim Director Wendy Wick Reaves says the app extends the gallery's reach.

It was created with British design firm Brandwidth. The app costs $6.99, but is discounted to $4.99 at launch.
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(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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