It was supposed to be a vital part of the strategy to get us out of lockdown.

Please download the app to protect the NHS and save lives.

In England, the government has launched its new test and trace system.

But what happened to the app that it was supposed to be based on.

So it may be that the app turns out to be a disaster for everyone involved. It's this grand experiment that no one's ever tried before.

Why has all the talk of a grand experiment on the Isle of White suddenly gone

very quiet. You're listening to stories of our times from the Times and the

Sunday Times. I'm Manveen Rana. Today, what happened to the NHS track and

trace app? England is now supposed to be entering the test and trace phase of fighting the pandemic

and a big part of that was supposed to be technology using smartphones to keep us all

safe from a second spike.

Last month, Matt Hancock announced the start of that process.

A test phase.

So here's how it'll work.

Last week we put in place the testing capability on the island.

From tonight the contact tracing capability will go live.

Just one part of the population was chosen as guinea pigs for the rest of us, the residents of the Isle of White.

I heard of it vaguely in the papers and then something came through the door describing the app. In April Rose Hornack, like everyone else on the

island, received a letter. I will read the instructions now. The app is free to use and you will not be charged for

downloading or using it. Do download it to your smartphone so it's with you as you move

around. The app seemed to have some teething problems.

The NHS COVID-19 app is not yet available to install through the

...