Medical mobile apps that won't run on my 2nd gen iPod touch running iOS 4.2.1

I have an older 2nd generation iPod Touch that sold between 2008 and 2009. This iPod touch originally came with iOS 2, then it got upgraded to iOS 3, then it got another upgrade to iOS 4.

Now, it's stuck running iOS 4.2.1 and I can't upgrade this device to iOS 5. So, I've decided to compile a list of mobile medical apps that won't run on this gadget. The following medical apps either require iOS 4.3, iOS 5 or higher:

• Sermo 
• Doximity 
• HealthTap MD 
• Nimble EMR
• Kaiser Permanente
• Airstrip - Patient Monitoring

The next list of apps is not a list of exclusive medical apps, but these apps are very helpful for those in the medical profession. Unfortunately, they require iOS 5 or higher:

• iTunes U
• Podcasts
• Chrome
• Skype
• Spotify

I'm sure this list of apps will continue to grow with the release of iOS 6 this fall. The devices running iOS 5 will get left behind and iOS 4 will become a true dinosaur (then again, I'm sure there are people using devices running iOS 3 or older). 

Get ready for enterprise-level mobile health care solutions from Motorola running Android

Here's my prediction for an upcoming headline: "Enterprise-level mobile health care solutions from Motorola running Android." Motorola has a number of enterprise-level handsets, but many of them run a form of Windows Mobile. In the past, Google's Android OS was criticized for its lack of robust enterprise-level security. When you compare Android against systems like BlackBerry, it's hard to find the same types of features, capabilities, functionality that a typical IT administrator would like to have for health care organizations like hospitals and multi-specialty group practices.

With the acquisition of Motorola Mobility, Google may now have the opportunity to innovate on both the hardware and the software level and create mobile health solutions that will dominate the health care industry. BlackBerry and iOS are still popular mobile operating systems among hospital administrators, but it probably won't be long before Android takes over.

Build an iPhone or Android app: no programming skills required

Here's an interesting press release that came out last week.

iBuildApp Announces New Android App Creator
Now anyone can build an iPhone or Android app free then submit it to an app store with no programming skills required.

San Mateo, CA (PRWEB) June 09, 2011

iBuildApp announced today a new Android app creator called Android Builder. The tool simplifies creating an iPhone and Android apps for smartphones.

The iPhone solution has been live for a few months and has over 10,000 users. Small and large businesses can now easily create apps for Android devices without the need to hire expensive developers.

How will the FDA regulate mobile health apps?

I doubt that the FDA will regulate every mobile health app that makes it to the Apple App Store, the Android Market, or the BlackBerry App World. How will the FDA choose which apps to regulate? What will this regulated environment look like?

We’re all still waiting for the FDA to explain how they plan to regulate mobile health apps. Here’s a critical question/equation that will determine how the FDA will regulate this space:

mobile device + mobile health app = a medical device ?

If the combination of a mobile device plus a mobile health app results in a “medical device,” then the FDA will be involved in regulating these types of apps. So, is a symptom checker running on a smartphone considered a medical device?

How does Section 201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act define a medical device?

“… an instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, contrivance, implant, in vitro reagent, or other similar or related article, including any component, part, or accessory, which is … [either] intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, in man or other animals … [or] intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man...”

Based on this broad definition, it would seem that computers and smartphones will be classified as medical devices if physicians are using computers to diagnosis or treat a disease.

Apple releases the iOS 4.3 update for certain devices

I'm downloading iOS 4.3 now for my iPad. Here's what you'll get:

• Personal Hotspot*
Share iPhone 4 cellular data connection with up to 5 devices (combination of up to 3 Wi-Fi, 3 Bluetooth, and 1 USB)
• iTunes Home Sharing
Play music, movies and TV shows from a shared iTunes library on a Mac or PC (requires iTunes 10.2)
• New AirPlay features**
Play videos from the Photos app including the Camera Roll album, iTunes previews, enabled third-party apps and websites on Apple TV
Play slideshows from Photos on Apple TV using transitions available on Apple TV
• Faster Safari performance with Apple Nitro JavaScript engine
• HD video out using the Apple Digital AV Adapter***
View 720p HD videos from Videos app, iPod app, Photos, YouTube, Safari, Keynote, and enabled third-party apps on an HDMI display
• Ping features
Push notifications for comments and follow requests
Post and Like songs directly from the Now Playing screen
Parental controls
• New Settings
Messages setting for number of times to repeat an alert
iPad side switch setting to lock screen rotation or mute audio notifications and sound effects
Single tap conference call dialing with a pause to send a passcode
• Bug fixes
*Requires iPhone 4 with tethering data plan
**Requires Apple TV (2nd generation) running software version 4.2 or later
***iPhone 4, iPad, iPod touch (4th generation)

Sundry Notes (great for medical students)

Sundry Notes is a nice productivity app that can help you  stay organized with all of your notes. Here's some additional information:

Write, draw, research, record and share! Take notes of any kind and use the built-in Evernote + Dropbox + Google Docs + Facebook integration. The ultimate multi-media note taking application!

* Write text
* Draw anywhere
* Search the internet
* Import PDFs+Images
* Import from Evernote + Google + Dropbox
* Record audio
* Bookmarks
* Tabs

learn more here.

U.S. Mobile Subscriber Market Share

A few months ago, comScore revealed "U.S. Mobile Subscriber Market Share."  As we can see, the Android platform is gaining momentum and we'll see this trend continue for the next few years as Google puts Android on a number of different smartphones. Here are some interesting charts from their report:

Top Smartphone Platforms 3 Month Avg. Ending Oct. 2010 vs. 3 Month Avg. Ending Jul. 2010 Total U.S. Smartphone Subscribers Ages 13+ Source: comScore MobiLens
	Share (%) of Smartphone Subscribers
	Jul-10	Oct-10	Point Change
Total Smartphone Subscribers	100.0%	100.0%	N/A
RIM	39.3%	35.8%	-3.5
Apple	23.8%	24.6%	0.8
Google	17.0%	23.5%	6.5
Microsoft	11.8%	9.7%	-2.1
Palm	4.9%	3.9%	-1.0

Top Mobile OEMs 3 Month Avg. Ending Oct. 2010 vs. 3 Month Avg. Ending Jul. 2010 Total U.S. Mobile Subscribers Ages 13+ Source: comScore MobiLens
	Share (%) of Mobile Subscribers
	Jul-10	Oct-10	Point Change
Total Mobile Subscribers	100.0%	100.0%	N/A
Samsung	23.1%	24.2%	1.1
LG	21.2%	21.0%	-0.2
Motorola	19.8%	17.7%	-2.1
RIM	9.0%	9.3%	0.3
Nokia	7.8%	7.1%	-0.7

Mobile Content Usage 3 Month Avg. Ending Oct. 2010 vs. 3 Month Avg. Ending Jul. 2010 Total U.S. Mobile Subscribers Ages 13+ Source: comScore MobiLens
	Share (%) of Mobile Subscribers
	Jul-10	Oct-10	Point Change
Total Mobile Subscribers	100.0%	100.0%	N/A
Sent text message to another phone	66.0%	68.1%	2.1
Used browser	33.6%	36.2%	2.6
Used downloaded apps	31.4%	33.7%	2.3
Accessed social networking site or blog	21.8%	24.2%	2.4
Played Games	22.3%	23.7%	1.4
Listened to music on mobile phone	14.5%	15.4%	0.9

About comScore
comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR) is a global leader in measuring the digital world and preferred source of digital business analytics.

A discussion about iPhone vs. Android

The other night, I was at a party and I was talking with several people about Apple's iPhone vs. Google's Android. It's really a discussion between iOS vs. Android, but given that Apple's iPhone is the only smartphone running iOS, we're really talking about both the operating system and the hardware when we're talking about the iPhone.

Here are a few reasons why Android will be the most popular smartphone operating system in the near future:

• Android is currently available on every major wireless network. Although the iPhone is coming to Verizon in 2011, will it also come to T-Mobile or all the other wireless carriers?
• We're seeing a wide range of Android smartphones ranging from free phones to expensive smartphones. Yes, Apple is offering their older iPhone models for less (or free refurbished), but who wants to buy an "outdated" model or a refurbished smartphone?
• We have many major smartphone manufacturers who are developing smartphones running Android. This means that we'll have a wider selection of hardware features if you're shopping for an Android smartphone. Will Apple diversify the iPhone lineup and create models with QWERTY keyboards that slide out?

Let's face it: most of us will be upgrading smartphones every 1.5 to 2.5 years. How much do you really want to spend if you're only going to have that smartphone for 1.5 to 2.5 years? With Android, you have a wide range of models that range less than $50 to over $200. Sometimes I wonder whether we're comparing smartphone features: iPhone vs. Android, or whether we're comparing companies: Google vs. Apple?

Speech Therapy on your mobile device

Have you heard of Smarty Ears? Barbara Fernandes, a practicing Speech and Language Pathologist is the founder and director of Smarty Ears, LLC. They offer a variety of speech therapy iPhone apps (they also work on the iPad). Here's information about the company:

At Smarty Ears we believe technology can help parents and speech therapists improve the communication skills of children with speech and language difficulties. Our company designs and publishes apps for improving communication skills in all areas (fluency, articulation, language, etc). Our main goal is to use technology to improve expressive communication abilities, regardless of native language. Smarty Ears is committed to individuals from all around the world, and we will make sure all of our apps are available in as many languages as possible because we are aware that the majority of materials currently available are in English.

Visit: http://smartyearsapps.com/

Mediquations Medical Calculator

Mediquations is the original, most comprehensive medical calculator on the App Store. Mediquations makes getting the answers you need quick and painless. With 229 formulas and scoring tools and a intuitive interface, Mediquations is the smart choice for anyone looking for a medical calculator for the iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad.

Why Mediquations?
∙ 228 formulas and scores. The most comprehensive medical calculator on the App Store.
∙ Support for US and SI units. Switch between units easily while entering values, or set your preference in Settings.
∙ Categories, Favorites, Recents, Full Search, Email Results. All designed to make your life easier.
∙ Multiple results (such as mortality percentages) are displayed for relevant scoring tools.
∙ References, full equation, detailed information, relevant pictures, and Pubmed links for each scoring tool.
∙ Leave the app and return to where you left off.
∙ Full support for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Buy once, use on all of your devices.
∙ Full multitasking support in iOS 4.0.

Click here to learn more about the Mediquations Medical Calculator

Mobile OMT Medical App Suite on iOS and Android for Health Care Providers

There's a new suite of medical apps available for clinicians and it was announced the other day. Here's the press release:

Mobile OMT Medical App Suite on iOS and Android for Health Care Providers

Seattle, WA Oct 19, 2010 in Medical

[prMac.com] Seattle, Washington - Announcing that Clinically Relevant Technologies, developers of medical applications for smartphones, have released a new suite of apps for clinicians who use manual therapy to treat musculoskeletal problems. This comes amidst a global push to implement smartphone and mobile tablet devices at medical education centers, hospitals, and clinics, along with an industry shift from textbooks to electronic platforms.

30%

According to an article in BusinessWeek about smartphones, Android's projected share of the smartphone marketplace is 30% in 2014. Now, 4 years seems like a really long time to some, but I'm sure it will be here before we know it.

Google claims they currently have 200,000 new Android phones being turned on each day in 59 countries. That's an incredible number! Of course, we don't know if all of those activations are new users vs. old phones being reset and reactivated. In any case, I'm a firm believer in Android which is why I've made the switch. (Then again, if I were on the AT&T network, I'd probably be using an iPhone)

Apple iOS 4 is killing my battery life on my iPod touch

One of the pitfalls of being an early adopter is that you get to be the guinea pig. I upgraded to iOS 4 and my battery is getting wiped out on my iPod touch. I have a 2nd generation iPod touch and I've never seen anything like this before. I really hope Apple releases a patch soon since I rely on my iPod when I drive to work and when I'm at the gym.

It sounds like others are experiencing similar problems on the iPod touch and iPhone.  Make sure to carry a spare power source if you recently upgraded your iPhone or iPod touch to iOS 4.