AT&T and T-Mobile merger officially called off

Author: Riley Alexander, MD, MBA

In what should be viewed as a big win for consumers and choice in the mobile technology space, AT&T has rescinded its takeover bid of $39 billion for T-Mobile. A mix of consumer and grass roots activism coupled with a negative viewpoint from the justice department forced AT&T to re-consider. Had this merger went through, AT&T would have surpassed Verizon as the largest carrier in the U.S.

For more details, here is a good write-up from BusinessWeek.

About the author:

Dr. Riley Alexander is a pathology resident at Indiana University School of Medicine, blog "addict" and avid follower of technology. His primary interests revolve around how technology, especially mobile, will create increased efficiency, enhanced physician education and better delivery of care in the medical field. Dr. Alexander is a graduate of Indiana University School of Medicine with a combined MD/MBA, in partnership with IU's Kelley School of Business. Due to this, he is also very interested in management, healthcare policy and non-clinical aspects of the medical field and enjoys exploring non-clinical opportunities for medical students, residents and physicians. He completed his undergraduate education at IU-Bloomington.

Delete Android task killer apps and avoid on-screen keyboard problems

Some of the most popular Android smartphone apps are these "task killer" apps that stop tasks and apps that are running in the background and eating up your device's memory. I had been running Advanced Task Killer (ATK) for a number of years but I recently deleted this app from my smartphone. Here's why: my on-screen keyboard would stop entering data. The keyboard would look like it's accepting my touch-based input, but no letters would appear.

When I did some searching online to see why my HTC ThunderBolt's keyboard had stopped working, I discovered that other people had experienced similar issues if they had ATK or other similar apps installed on their devices. I've had my ThunderBolt for over a year and I had never had this happen before. ATK had been running without any issues (and I did not enable task autokilling), so I wasn't sure why my phone suddenly started acting this way.

One possible remedy would be to perform a hard reset and erase everything on my device.

The other solution: uninstall ATK, reboot, and everything should be fine. I went with this option and my phone has been working fine ever since.

If you're an Android user, you probably have ATK or a similar task killer running on your device. I would suggest that you remove this app and reboot your device so that you don't face possible on-screen keyboard problems in the future. 

TouchPal Keyboard on Android

I've been testing a new on-screen keyboard on my Android smartphone. It's a free app called TouchPal and this keyboard has a nice interface and also includes some innovative shortcuts that help me work more efficiently on my smartphone. For example, I can swipe Left to Right on the delete key and that deletes the entire word. Or, you can tap a key for a letter and swipe up to get a number. Brilliant! Also, the keyboard lets you easily toggle the predictive word input/correction so that you can easily enable/disable this feature.

TouchPal is also similar to Swype in that you can type words without lifting your finger from the screen. You can slide your finger around the different keys to enter words. This is a nice option if you're entering words using a single hand and you're good with thumb dexterity.

This keyboard offers a few other nice features but I won't get into them right now. If you're using an Android device, you may want to give it a test spin and see how it works for you. You can also enable other languages on this keyboard. You can also learn more by visiting www.touchpal.com

Don't forget to download the #ASH11 Meeting App

If you're attending the 2011 American Society of Hematology (ASH) conference, don't forget to download the meeting app. To download, search for "ASH2011" in your device's app store. You'll need your registration ID as well.

The complete Annual Meeting program is now available as a mobile app for iPhones, iPads, Android and Blackberry devices. This mobile app is available to meeting attendees only; you will need your meeting registration number to access the program.



Download this exclusive app to access full text of all annual meeting abstracts, maps of the San Diego Convention Center, other general meeting information, and more. The app also allows users to create personalized meeting itineraries and communicate in real-time with other annual meeting attendees via a messaging function.

ONC & Surgeon General's Healthy App Challenge

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has partnered with the Office of the Surgeon General to launch the Surgeon General’s Healthy App Challenge.

The Challenge invites developers to submit health, wellness, and fitness apps with that focus on:

· Fitness/physical activity: applications aimed at recruiting and retaining people who are not regularly exercising
· Nutrition/health eating: applications aimed at quickly prepared home meals, eating out sensibly, and getting health food when traveling
· Integrative health: applications aimed at integrating multiple aspects of wellness (sleep habits, social health and mental health)

The challenge is designed to encourage the development and submission of technology applications to create a healthy and fit nation.

Interested developers should register at the Challenge.gov portal: http://sghealthyapps.challenge.gov/.

Registration is free and can be completed anytime during the Application Submission Period, December 6, 2011, to December 30, 2011.

Skyscape RxDrugs Enhancement Offers Physicians Full Formulary Support

Enhanced functionality empowers healthcare and life science professionals to streamline patient prescribing and better manage prescription drug cost

Marlborough, MA (December 8, 2011) – Physicians Interactive announced today that an enhanced version of its Skyscape RxDrugs mobile resource, including full formulary support, is now available. This formulary enhancement enables prescribers to check health plan coverage of thousands of brand name and generic drugs for their patients, right at the point of care. RxDrugs offers information on 5,000 health plans, covering all 50 states, and is updated monthly.

Smartphones and Improving Neurologic Care on ReachMD

You won't want to miss this excellent ReachMD program titled, "Smartphones and Improving Neurologic Care." You don't have to be a neurologist to appreciate the pearls that are shared by Dr. Busis. I was driving this morning when I heard the program. Here's a brief summary:

Is there an app for helping your patients improve their health? In fact, there are many. Dr. Neil Busis, chief of the division of neurology, department of medicine, at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside and Practice and Technology editor of AAN.com, talks with host Dr. Anthony Alessi about the latest mobile technologies used to monitor patient experiences with chronic neurological issues, such as migraines and epileptic seizures. They also discuss how even standard smartphone functions can be used to improve the health and medical care of patients, and why text messaging is changing healthcare around the world.

You can hear the program on ReachMD online here.

This program is part of the NeuroFrontiers series on ReachMD.

NeuroFrontiers is produced in collaboration with the American Academy of Neurology and explores new research, diagnosis and treatment in all areas of neurological disease. This series also addresses the most relevant clinical topics, trends, news and advances pertaining to all areas of the practice of Neurology.

TIM Text Information Message for Doctors Offices and Clinics

American Telephony, Inc Announces New Product, TIM, Text Information Message for Doctors Offices and Clinics to Notify Patients Via Text Messages

A new product called TIM - Text Information Messages has been developed primarily for doctor's offices, hospitals and clinics. The system can interface to virtually any practice management system or EMR to automatically send out text messages to patients to remind them of their appointment or other important messages.

Philadelphia, PA, December 07, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Improvements in healthcare provider to patient communication

Text Message Technology Developed by American Telephony Goes More Mobile

American Telephony Inc. has just begun to implement a new SMS text-messaging platform to utilize modern mobile communication. The technology creates direct communication between patients and their healthcare providers.

In response to the current trend in information technology and government investment into National Electronic Medical Records adoption American Telephony Inc. created software called Text Information Messaging (TIM). TIM will now deliver patient appointment reminders, or office generated messages directly to the patient’s mobile phone. In addition, TIM will allow a direct file import from a diverse list of practice management software modules.

Mobile technology improving women's and children's health

The Innovation Working Group and the mHealth Alliance Announce Grantees to Improve Women’s and Children’s Health Using Mobile Technology

Programs Will Help Advance Goals of UN Secretary-General’s Every Woman Every Child Initiative

Washington, DC (December 6, 2011) – Today at the 2011 mHealth Summit, the Innovation Working Group, part of the UN Secretary-General’s Every Woman Every Child effort , and the mHealth Alliance announced the recipients of eight catalytic grants for mobile health (mHealth) programs. The grants, funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), are designed to identify and foster innovative uses of mobile technology to advance maternal and newborn health, with a special focus on growing programs with sustainable financing models and early indications of impact.

Unbound Medicine and Johns Hopkins Launch HIV Website for Central America

Unbound Medicine and Johns Hopkins Launch HIV Website for Central America - Spanish-Language Guide Created and Distributed Using the Unbound™ Platform

Charlottesville, VA, December 06, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Unbound Medicine, a leader in knowledge management solutions for healthcare, announced the launch of La Guía del VIH de Johns Hopkins, a web service developed in partnership with the Johns Hopkins POC-IT Center. The service, a Spanish-language adaptation of the Johns Hopkins HIV Guide, is a collaborative project of The Johns Hopkins Center for Clinical Global Health Education, the Pan American Health Organization, and Gorgas Memorial Institute in Panama. The entire project, from content creation through web delivery, is supported by Unbound Medicine's end-to-end digital publishing platform.

Pharmapps– An App Wiki

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, December 1, 2011 – Palio, an inVentiv Health company, launches PharmApps.com, a resource of prominent apps in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.

“We have watched the explosive growth of apps in the consumer world and at the same time have seen a growing number of pharma and healthcare companies develop their own apps,” said Mike Myers, president of Palio. “Makes sense, consumers on all sides want digital content that is targeted directly to what they are interested in, exactly when they are interested in consuming it.”

This unprecedented growth in digital content in the pharma/healthcare space has prompted requests by clients for guidance and insight on how they can best leverage their brands to consumers in this space. Palio took the initiative to build a resource, or wiki, that by design will grow through the input and insight of people interested in the healthcare marketplace, mobile technologies, and apps.

Qualcomm Forms Qualcomm Life Subsidiary

Qualcomm Forms Qualcomm Life Subsidiary to Deliver Comprehensive Wireless Solutions for Medical Devices

— Company’s 2net Platform and Hub Connect Ecosystem of Medical Device Customers, Collaborators —
— $100 Million Qualcomm Life Fund Established to Accelerate Wireless Health Services —

SAN DIEGO — December 5, 2011 — Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) announced today the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary, Qualcomm Life Inc., which will operate the business formerly known as Qualcomm Wireless Health, as well as the establishment of a $100 million Qualcomm Life Fund, an investment allocation established by Qualcomm Incorporated and to be managed by Qualcomm Ventures, Qualcomm’s investment group. Qualcomm Life’s first offerings, the 2net™ Platform and Hub for use in connection with wireless medical devices, are now available in the U.S. and are designed to interconnect wireless medical devices via cloud-based solutions so that biometric information is easily accessible by device users, their health care providers and caregivers. The platform and hub are intended to transfer, store, convert and display medical device data. The Company also announced that more than 40 customers and collaborators are either integrating with or considering the 2net ecosystem, creating an interoperable and value-enhancing ecosystem of medical devices, mobile medical applications and health services companies. Qualcomm Life is showcasing the 2net Platform, Hub and its integrated customers’ devices and applications at the third annual mHealth Summit, being held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C. (Pavilion #403).

Verizon Wireless virtual health care solution

VERIZON WIRELESS’ DIGITAL HEALTHCARE SUITE ADVANCES MOBILE CARE MANAGEMENT, VIRTUAL CARE AND CLINICIAN WORKFLOW

WASHINGTON, D.C., and BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Healthcare is experiencing a myriad of changes in the administrative, legislative and technology pillars, with each contributing to the dynamic as we know it. Verizon Wireless recognizes the need for innovative technologies to address these pillars and is building solutions that address the largest healthcare challenges. The goal is to improve access to quality healthcare and efficiency while driving lower costs.

Verizon Wireless is focused on developing solutions to address the enormous economic and human cost of chronic disease as well as the prevalent challenge to accessing healthcare for prevention, treatment and follow-up maintenance. Each year, more than 200,000 Americans die due to preventable, treatable chronic diseases. The broad challenges across our nation for accessing healthcare for routine care are often rooted in geographic, equipment or medical professional availability. On average, it takes about 20 days to schedule and complete a visit with a primary care physician. This problem will only be exacerbated by the growing shortage of healthcare professionals over the next several years.

mHealth Alliance and Rockefeller Foundation Honor Leading Mobile Health Innovators of the Year

Top 11 in 2011 Innovators Challenge Winners Announced in Time for the 2011 mHealth Summit

Washington, DC (December 4, 2011) -- The mHealth Alliance, with funding from the Rockefeller Foundation, today announced the winners of the Top 11 in 2011 Innovators Challenge, a first-of-its-kind challenge which recognizes pioneering mobile health (mHealth) professionals who have used mobile technology in innovative ways to improve health systems and outcomes in even the most remote areas of the world. The winners were announced at a reception held in advance of the mHealth Summit being held this week in the Washington, DC area.

The Top 11 in 2011 Innovators were selected through a process that included public nominations and voting on the mHealth Alliance’s HealthUnbound.org, as well as juried selection committee voting. Nominations came from more than 30 countries around the world, highlighting mobile technology’s ability to deliver health information and services on a global scale.

Getting ready for the mHealth Summit in DC next week

Next week is the mHealth Summit in DC. I'm looking forward to some exciting presentations from large and small companies. I'll be blogging from the conference here on MedicalSmartphones.com, so make sure that you stay tuned next week. The conference runs Mon-Wed.

The 2011 mHealth Summit will bring into focus the business, clinical research, and policy perspectives of mHealth. The Summit will foster an in-depth, interactive dialogue between prominent leaders in the industry who will discuss current technology innovation with an eye toward the future of wireless medical connectivity. The Summit will also focus on the research and evaluation needs of mHealth and facilitate the development and commercialization of clinically validated solutions and systems globally.

Medscape App for iPhone updated to version 3.0

If you're using the Medscape App for iPhone, make sure to update it to version 3.0. Here's what you'll get:

• Improved Search including MEDLINE
• Pill Images & Detailed Drug Pricing
• Email Articles & CME Activities

Medical conference programs on a mobile app

The next time you attend a major medical conference, you'll probably get the conference program on a mobile app. I'm getting ready to travel to San Diego for the 2011 American Society of Hematology (ASH) conference Dec 10-13.

The complete Annual Meeting program is now available as a mobile app for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices.

I have the ASH conference program on my Android smartphone and my iPad.

To download, search for "ASH2011" in your device's app store. To enjoy the full benefits of the app and to avoid delays during the download process, attendees are strongly encouraged to download the app prior to their arrival at the meeting.

Get ASH updates on Twitter by following the hashtag #ASH11