Motorola Mobility Cutting 800 Jobs

Google acquired Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion. Now, Motorola is cutting 800 jobs (which is going to cost them roughly $31 million). Motorola has been coming up with some new smartphones that look quite promising. Specifically, the new Droid RAZR (not your old flip phone) and a host of other Android devices using the "Droid" name like the Droid Bionic, the Droid 3, the Droid X2, the Droid Pro, etc.

The overuse of the term "Droid" has caused many to refer to all Android devices as "a Droid." However, the Droid name is limited to Android smartphones on Verizon. None of the other carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, or Sprint are using "Droid" in the names of their Android devices.

$100k Challenge to Develop Health Care App

FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES $100,000 DEVELOPER CHALLENGE

Winning software developers will receive cash awards to create apps enabling people to easily access information comparing the quality of care provided by local doctors and hospitals

Princeton, N.J. – The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has announced an Aligning Forces for Quality (AF4Q) $100,000 “app challenge” – a competition among technology developers to create easy-to-use online tools that help consumers find information on the quality of their local physicians and hospitals.

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Epocrates v 4.0 for iOS is here!

Get ready for a new Epocrates experience because Epocrates v 4.0 for iOS is here!

Epocrates v 4.0 for iOS is ready for you, with its icon-centric customizable Epocrates homepage, quicker access to drug & disease resources, the extensive medical App Directory, and more.

I'm updating my iPod and iPad now...

Time for a new Bluetooth headset?

I have an older Plantronics Discovery Bluetooth headset that has been working fairly well over the past few years, but it's getting old. I think I got it back in 2007. How much has Bluetooth headset technology evolved and improved over the past few years?

The device that I'm considering is the Bose® Bluetooth® headset Series 2. Here are some of the features of this new headset:

• Exclusive Bose technologies let you hear calls better, even as noise levels change
• Noise-rejecting microphone allows callers to hear more of your voice—in windy and noisy environments too
• Soft, flexible StayHear® tip provides comfort and stability
• A2DP Bluetooth profile enables mobile media content, like music or podcasts, from your smartphone
• Simple, convenient controls make it easy to answer calls
• Choice of left- or right-ear version, whichever you prefer, for best possible fit

I feel a sense of obligation to purchase Bose products since I share the MIT connection, but I wish we could still get discounts on Bose products (MIT grads used to have that privilege at one point). I haven't tried the Bose Bluetooth headset, but I have tried the Bose MIE2 wired headset and I was very impressed by the sound quality (no surprise given that they're made by Bose). If the Bluetooth headset sounds as good, then I may be sold. I'd also like to see how well the noise-rejecting feature works. What's nice about Bose products is that you can test them out for 30 days and get a full refund if you're not satisfied. 

So, how about you? Do you use a Bluetooth headset? If you do, are you happy with it? 

Center for Connected Health awarded McKesson Foundation Grant to develop text messaging program for diabetes patients

Last week, the Center for Connected Health was awarded a research grant from the McKesson Foundation’s Mobilizing for Health initiative to develop a text messaging program to help diabetes patients better manage their condition.

Their randomized, controlled clinical trial will integrate a text messaging program into an existing Diabetes Self-Management and Education program at three of Massachusetts General Hospital’s community health centers representing medically underserved and low-income populations in the Boston area. The goal of this study is to assess the effect of personalized text messages on clinical outcomes and physical activity in patients with Type 2 Diabetes, many of whom are obese or have low levels of activity. Results will be measured by change in HbA1c (the clinical measure for blood sugar control), as well as patients’ engagement, usability and satisfaction with the program. This study will also use pedometers to measure physical activity, to better target messages to engage patients in behavior change to increase their activity levels.

You can learn more about this initiative here (PDF)

Waiting for Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0)

Ice Cream Sandwich is the name of the next Android operating system that will run on smartphones and tablets. Currently, I'm running Android 2.3 which is also known as Gingerbread. Android 3.0 is called Honeycomb and it's optimized for large screen devices like tablets.

Android 4.0 is called Ice Cream Sandwich and adds easy multitasking, rich notifications, customizable home screens, resizable widgets, and deep interactivity. It will be optimized for small and large screens.

Some Android devices may skip version 3.0 and may have upgrades straight to 4.0. So, the next time you hear people referring to "Ice Cream Sandwich" in the wintertime, don't automatically assume they're just craving a cold sweet treat.

My list of 25 free essential Android apps

I just wiped out my smartphone and I was going through the process of installing apps all over again. I decided that I would share my list of 25 free apps that I'm running on my smartphone.

I'm not including apps that are built-in like Maps, Facebook, Gmail, etc. I'm only listing apps that you have to download and install through the Android market.

Here's my list of 25 free essential Android apps:

1. Advanced Task Killer
2. Alarm Clock Plus
3. Astro 
4. Battery Indicator
5. Bible
6. Blogger
7. Business Calendar Free
8. Chrome to Phone
9. Documents To Go
10. Doximity
11. Epocrates
12. Google Docs
13. Google Voice
14. LinkedIn
15. Medscape
16. OI Safe
17. OI Shopping List
18. OpenTable
19. Opera Mobile
20. QuantiaMD
21. RealCalc
22. Technology Review
23. TweetDeck
24. Uninstaller
25. WeatherBug

So, that's my list. Every time I get a new phone, I install these apps. 

Connected Health Symposium 2011 #CHS11 - focus on new, mobile technologies

I'm attending the 2011 Connected Health Symposium here in Boston. The theme this year is "New Technologies for an Era of Accountability." The focus around new technologies is very appropriate given what's happening in the mobile space. This year, mobile health or mHealth has been a very hot topic. As smartphones and tablets become more ubiquitous in health care,we're seeing broad application of these tools in hospitals and even rural health centers. We're also seeing a greater emphasis on telemedicine (but we still need to answer all the questions regarding reimbursement models for televisits). The new Apple iPhone 4S may support HIPAA-compliant video communication. Will you have video-visits with your patient on an iPhone?

Here at Connected Health, we're seeing presentations from mobile health companies like Airstrip Technologies, Nuance Communications, Wellbe.me, Zeo, Proxense, and others.

I'm excited to be speaking about social media this afternoon in the panel discussion titled, "Facebooking Health: Scouting Out the Latest Trends in Online Patient Communities and Social Media." Come and hear how social media is transforming health care!

Frustrated with the HTC ThunderBolt Gingerbread update (yes, I downloaded the update)

I was one of those unfortunate people who recently upgraded my HTC ThunderBolt to the Gingerbread update. I should have waited, but I pressed the button a few weeks ago that updated the Android OS to 2.3.4.

My phone has been acting very funny. The phone was very sluggish and my contacts were not appearing. The 4G LTE would often disconnect and I finally got to the point where I did a factory reset to see if that would fix some of these problems.

The HTC ThunderBolt has been plagued with faulty ROMs that have caused problems. The latest ROM update supposedly has some problems associated with the voice mail notification, but that's probably not an issue for me since I use Google Voice. The sluggish performance and the disconnections from the network were my main problems. I've been tempted to flash a custom ROM on this device, but I just don't have the time these days to do that. For now, I'll see how the next few weeks go. I'm hoping that the hard factory reset will solve my main problems.

The Motorola Droid RAZR is the "thinnest" smartphone

The Motorola Droid RAZR was released today as the "thinnest" smartphone. The phone sure looks nice, but I want to know what kind of battery life it has when it's running on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network. Sure looks like a nice phone, but I'm not ready for an upgrade yet.

If you love watching HD movies, you'll like this: the Droid RAZR is going to be the first smartphone that can download HD movies from Netflix!

Physicians on Doximity are talking about Siri on the iPhone 4S

Doximity is one of the newest social networks for physicians. They're currently adding a series of new features and one of those features is a beta feature called iRounds. There, physicians are having conversations about clinical topics, technology, social media, and more. These are short bursts of conversations that are attracting some interesting comments from other physicians. What's great is that these physicians on iRounds are early adopters of technology. They're out there using the latest devices like the iPhone 4S. They're experimenting with Siri and dictating medical notes on their iPhone.

It's great to be a part of the Doximity community. If you value connecting with other physicians, then explore Doximity.

Now that iOS 5 is out, what do you think?

Author: Riley Alexander, MD, MBA

I was very happy to get iOS 5 on my iPhone earlier this week...even if it seemed like it took 4 hours to install. So far, it seems to be a very worthwhile and great update. I was concerned with the speed bump given to the iPhone 4S that my iPhone 4 may suffer, but so far it actually seems like my user experience is faster than it was before. A very good surprise indeed.

A few sure-fire reasons to update:
1) The new notifications system FINALLY replaces the antiquated alert system of the past and is very welcomed. It's very nice to just have a little drop down menu appear while you're using the phone that you can ignore instead of the big blue badge. Going directly to an alert from the home screen is also very nice. Well done, Apple.

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Free Alerts to Help Consumers Avoid Unexpected Overage Charges

CTIA-The Wireless Association®, Federal Communications Commission and Consumers Union Announce Free Alerts to Help Consumers Avoid Unexpected Overage Charges

WASHINGTON, D.C. – CTIA-The Wireless Association® today announced new commitments by providers that represent more than 97 percent of wireless consumers in the U.S. to send free alerts to help consumers avoid unexpected overage charges. The joint announcement was made by CTIA President & CEO Steve Largent, Federal Communications Chairman Julius Genachowski, and Consumers Union’s Communications Policy Counsel Parul Desai. The plan – called the “Wireless Consumer Usage Notification Guidelines” – will provide free alerts both before and after subscribers they reach monthly limits on voice, data and text. In addition, the plan includes a notification to inform consumers of international roaming charges when traveling abroad. Subscribers will be covered by this plan unless they opt-out.

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I'm testing the Zeo Sleep Manager Mobile (for iOS and Android)

I have the opportunity to test the Zeo Sleep Manager for mobile devices. I want to thank the folks at Zeo for giving me the chance to test their mobile product (which is not available yet). I saw the Zeo at Medicine 2.0 and I've been impressed by their technology.

I'm actively exploring the Quantified Self (QS) movement with a Fitbit and a BodyMedia FIT Armband (both contain an accelerometer to capture your motion during the day and during sleep). Now, I'm adding the Zeo Sleep Manager to see what else I can learn about myself.

Here's a brief description of the Zeo Sleep Manager:

Zeo Sleep Manager - mobile uses the same SoftWave technology used in the Zeo Bedside device to enable you to get the highest quality sleep measurement system available. Works with iOS and Android operating systems.

Zeo takes the science of sleep out of the lab and puts it into your hands. The lightweight Zeo SoftWave™ headband tracks your actual sleep stages through the night and sends them wirelessly to the bedside display.

Each morning Zeo shows you right on your smartphone how you slept, including how much time you spent in REM and Deep sleep, which are critical for mental clarity, physical well-being and peak performance. Zeo also gives you an overall sleep score you can track over time.

You can learn more about Zeo here: http://www.myzeo.com

A Mobile Network is Created for the Healthcare Industry

Tomorrow Networks provides first-ever platform aimed at creating a revenue model for mHealth developers, while maintaining a commitment to quality content for the medical community

Marlborough, MA (October 11, 2011) – Today marks the launch of the first mobile network for healthcare, Tomorrow Networks. Physicians Interactive Holdings, a leading provider of health care information and mobile clinical decision tools for medical professionals, and Remedy Systems, a leading mobile application company focused on healthcare, are announcing the creation and availability of their mHealth platform, Tomorrow Networks. The platform lets developers market and distribute their applications to the growing population of medical professionals who are searching for well-built mobile applications as a tool to improve both the quality and efficiency of care. Through the platform, advertisers can also deliver targeted marketing messages.

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Duke collaborating with Verizon Connected Healthcare Solutions

This just came out last week:

Duke and Verizon Join Forces on Health Information Technology

Initiatives will drive better care, expanded access and lower costs

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke University and Verizon will jointly develop health information technology initiatives to drive better care, expanded access and lower costs.

Duke and Verizon Connected Healthcare Solutions, the company’s health care practice group, will combine technical resources and personnel to focus on projects that leverage the inherent value of advanced communications technologies. Among the initial potential projects are mobile health applications and consumer health care education.

Verizon will provide the computing infrastructure to perform analytical processing and modeling, as well as implementation and operational staffing and resources required for technical development. Duke University will provide personnel including students, research and project management experts, and educational program development staff, as well as intellectual property and other research required for use in program-sponsored initiatives.

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Annual competition for most promising wireless innovations

VODAFONE AMERICAS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR ANNUAL WIRELESS INNOVATION PROJECT™ AND mHEALTH ALLIANCE AWARD

Annual competition for most promising wireless innovations runs October 10 through December 31, 2011 with awards totaling $650,000 in cash and prizes

Redwood City, CA (October 10, 2011) – The Vodafone Americas Foundation and mHealth Alliance today announced a call for submissions for the annual Vodafone Americas Foundation Wireless Innovation Project™ and the mHealth Alliance Award, a competition that identifies and supports wireless-related technologies with high potential to solve critical global issues. Proposals will be accepted from October 10 through December 31, 2011, with winners announced in April 2012.

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Apps, Doctors and Digital Devices

According to a report from Jackson & Coker Research Associates titled, "Apps, Doctors and Digital Devices," a growing number of physicians are using mobile devices and mobile apps. It's no surprise to those of us who are already very familiar with these digital tools. In their report, they quote several different sources of data on the current utilization of smartphones and tablets. As more medical students and residents rely on these mobile digital devices, tools like smartphones and tablets will naturally get integrated into the clinical workflow process.

ACPE Daily Digest for iPhone/iPad

The American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) Daily Digest is a digest of the most important news selected from thousands of sources by the editors of Bulletin Healthcare. ACPE Daily Digest is an easy read in this convenient App provided by publishing partner Bulletin Healthcare.

ACPE is the nation's largest health care organization for physician executives — doctors who hold leadership and management positions — who want to boost their leadership skills while adding weight to their CVs. Since its founding in 1975, the primary focus of the College is to provide superior leadership and management skills to physicians and encouraging them to assume more active roles in the leadership and management of their organizations.

• Available to ACPE members only.
• Your daily briefing arrives automatically.
• Access to complete archive.
• New features coming.

Bulletin Healthcare provides customized daily new sbriefings, including ACPE Daily Digest, to the members of 24 major healthcare associations, making it the daily source of news to more than 500,000 HCPs

Learn more here.

Submit your mobile health idea to Rock Health

Do you have a mobile health idea or startup that’s working to solve a health-related issue? Apply to join Rock Health, a group of dedicated individuals working to catalyze innovation in the interactive health space, and gain to access our unrivaled community of experts and seed-accelerator program.

Rock Health is the first seed-accelerator exclusively for health startups, providing capital, mentorship, operational support and office space in San Francisco.

Here's what they can offer:

• $20,000 startup grant to each team
• Expert medical support from the Mayo Clinic Center for Innovation, Harvard Medical School, UCSF, and Cincinnati Childrens Hospital
• Mentorship and weekly workshops from experts in design, health policy, lean startup methodology, financing, and more
• Office space in San Francisco
• Office hours with startup counsel lawyer Michael Esquivel and legal workshops with the Fenwick team
• Design strategy, workshop, and office hours with Cooper Design
• Support from our in-house staff
• A passionate community of like-minded individuals solving meaningful problems

You can submit your idea to Rock Health here.

Sprint Accelerates Deployment of Network Vision and Announces National Rollout of 4G LTE

LTE deployment expected to reach 250 million people by 2013

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Oct. 7, 2011 – At its 4G Strategy/Network Vision Update event today in New York, Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S) updated the financial community on its plans to accelerate deployment of Network Vision and its plans to roll out 4G LTE on its licensed spectrum. Network Vision, originally announced in December 2010, is Sprint’s plan to consolidate multiple network technologies into one seamless network with the goal of increasing efficiency and enhancing network coverage, call quality and data speeds for customers across the United States.

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Top 11 in 2011 Innovators Challenge Now Accepting Nominations

mHealth Alliance and Rockefeller Foundation Announce Challenge to Recognize Innovators Making a Difference Using Mobile Technology

WASHINGTON, DC (October 5, 2011) – The mHealth Alliance and the Rockefeller Foundation have announced the Top 11 in 2011 Innovators Challenge, which is now accepting nominations on HealthUnbound.org (HUB). This Challenge will identify and award individuals who have used mobile technology in innovative ways to improve health systems and outcomes in even the most remote areas of the world. This is the first time these partners have come together to recognize pioneering mobile health (mHealth) professionals.

"From tracking medication availability to diagnosing treatable eye conditions, we’ve seen that innovative uses of mobile technology can have a positive impact on global health," said Karl Brown, Associate Director of applied technology at the Rockefeller Foundation and member of the Alliance’s Partnership Board. "Many of these innovations come from people and places with limited resources, making them all the more inspiring. Our goal in launching this challenge is to recognize some of those achievements and inspire other innovators to follow suit."

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"Like" Tarascon on Facebook and they will donate to Doctors Without Borders

Tarascon Publishing is pleased to announce the launch of a charitable Facebook campaign to raise money for Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

For every person who "likes" the Tarascon Publishing's official Facebook page between Saturday, October 1st through Monday, October 31th, the company will donate $1 to Doctors Without Borders.

The Tarascon Facebook page acts as an extension of the Tarascon website and medicine blog. Updates include new product launches, promotions, monthly eNewsletter highlights, reviews, industry news and more.

Tarascon Publishing's ultimate goal is to raise more than $500 for Doctors Without Borders in the month of October, so get "liking!"

Please visit the Tarascon Publishing Facebook page to participate.

iPhone 5 to include larger screen and 4G speeds?

There are many iPhone 5 rumors floating out there. Some are reporting that Sprint will finally get the coveted Apple iPhone. Others seem to agree that the iPhone needs to have a larger screen to compete against all those Droids out there. And, we all know that 4G wireless will bring data connection speeds that are far superior to 3G.

The larger screen and 4G makes sense to me. You'll need a slightly larger device with a bigger battery to keep up with the demands of 4G. The iPhone 5 will be thinner than the iPhone 4 and will include a "teardrop" shape where the top will be thicker than the bottom.

There are 3 features we probably won't see on the iPhone 5: We have yet to see Apple create a mobile device that includes an expansion card slot like microSD. So, I doubt we'll see any expansion capabilities in the new iPhone 5. I also don't think we'll see a removable battery. Plus, I doubt we'll see a hardware keyboard feature on the iPhone 5.

Will the iPhone 5 include some other game-changing feature? I doubt it. I think it will be a larger, faster iPhone that will satisfy many Apple fans and will also win over some new Android, BlackBerry, webOS, and Windows Phone users. Then again, the Apple's "Assistant" voice control functionality might be the feature that converts the masses to the new iPhone 5. After all, wouldn't it be great if you could "speak" commands right into your phone instead of swiping or tapping the screen? This type of voice-command is right around the corner and it looks to be coming on the iPhone 5.