UC Irvine Brings iPads into the Medical Classroom

Author: Brittany Chan

Upon entering medical school, the lucky students in UC Irvine's class of 2014 all received iPads to use as learning tools in their educational journey. This new program, called the iMedEd Initiative, aims to engage students in interactive learning via downloadable lectures, e-textbooks, podcasts, and of course, medical apps. The iMedEd website includes a blog where interested students at UC Irvine can post reviews about various apps they have used. The curriculum also integrates other technological advancements such as digital stethoscopes and portable ultrasound units.

As a medical student, I see this as a step in the right direction, and I predict that many other medical schools will adopt similar programs in the near future. The practice of medicine has become increasingly more digitalized, and these programs encourage students to embrace available technology in their field as a tool for learning and improving patient care. I also think that this will make studying more enjoyable and productive for many students, especially those who already love playing with electronic gadgets.

HP Slate 500 vs. HP PalmPad

We know that the HP Slate 500 is running Windows 7. It's a full slate tablet PC.

The rumored HP PalmPad will run HP webOS, so it should have much longer battery life as it competes against the Apple iPad and Android slates like the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Will the PalmPad include an active digitizer for pen-based computing? Will webOS be the only operating system option? (wouldn't it be nice if we could load Android on the device? I'm sure someone will find a way to do that).

I'm so accustomed to using an active digitizer pen for inking and writing notes. Given that the current iPad only accommodates capacitive touch, it's very difficult to accurately use a stylus pen to draw/write/ink on the screen. That's where the HP Slate 500 has a significant advantage. I'm eager to know if the upcoming PalmPad will also include an active digitizer.

The HP Slate 500 runs $799. How much will the HP PalmPad run? $499, $599, or $699? (surely it won't be $799). 

Apple iPads for all 100 Medical Students at UCF

Wouldn't you love to get an iPad this holiday season? Medical students at the University of Central Florida don't have to ask Santa:

Benefactor's Holiday Gift: iPads for all 100 Medical Students

UCF College of Medicine students received a high-tech gift for their Christmas stockings Wednesday as local philanthropist Alan Ginsburg gave new iPads to each of the school's 100 M.D. students. The hand-held electronic devices will allow students to take notes, review on-line scientific journals and 3-D medical imaging, and even take paperless exams. And students' use of the iPad will be part of a two-year research study on the use of technology in medical education.

Students cheered as Dr. Deborah German, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the College of Medicine, announced the gift. During the past few days, rumors were circulating about the possibility of an iPad holiday gift for the medical students. "But we didn't want to get our hopes up and then be disappointed if the gift ended up being chocolate," said M-1 student Alvin deTorres. Alvin said he was delighted with the portable technology because it will provide immediate access to the college's Harriett F. Ginsburg Health Sciences Library, which is 98 percent digital.

The iPad vs the 13 inch MacBook Air as a travel companion

Author: Thuc Huynh, MD

I’m the kind of person that needs to be connected to the internet at all times, even on vacation. So it behooved me to buy the iPad as soon as it came out. It’s extremely light, looks beautiful, and has the same, if not, more apps than my iPhone. I was able to watch movies on airplanes with excellent battery life. But it felt a little lacking compared to my usual laptop, the 13 inch Macbook Pro.

Dropbox hits 1.0!

Founded by MIT talent, Dropbox has now hit version 1.0. Dropbox allows you to sync your files online and across your computers automatically.

* 2GB of online storage for free, with up to 100GB available to paying customers.
* Sync files of any size or type.
* Sync Windows, Mac, and Linux computers.
* Automatically syncs when new files or changes are detected.

A free application for iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, and Android that lets you access and manage your Dropbox on the go.

Learn more about Dropbox here.

HP webOS tablet

What do we know so far about the upcoming HP webOS tablet?

• It's coming in early 2011
• Minimal design, slim, long battery life
• Bluetooth keyboard accessory option (no surprise here)
• Code name Topaz
• Real name: Palm Pad? HP Slate 600?
• Obviously running HP webOS, but which version? HP webOS 2.0, or will there be a 3.0 by the time the tablet gets released?

Given that HP has a business/professional slate tablet with the HP Slate 500, will the webOS tablet be a "consumer" product or will it also be aimed at the business professional?

3rd mHealth Networking Conference

3rd mHealth Networking Conference
March 30-31, 2011
Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center

Join others at the 3rd mHealth Networking Conference where you will have the opportunity to meet and explore mHealth developments with clinicians, HIT specialists, HIM professionals, payers, government representatives, vendors, developers, and others. Programming will address such topics as:

* The adoption of new medical apps on mDevices - successes and failures
* How payers are addressing mHealth opportunities
* How patients and doctors are using texting and email communications to improve health care and reduce costs
* Best practices for integrating mHealth applications
* mHealth strategies for hospitals, clinics, or doctor's offices
* International implementations
* And more...

Learn more here: http://www.mobih.org/

10" Android slate tablet from Motorola

Images are appearing all over the Internet. Motorola has a 10" Android slate tablet that will be coming to the Verizon network. It's too bad it's not here for prime time holiday shopping. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Tab which has a smaller 7" screen, the Motorola tablet will have a 10" screen similar to the one found on the Apple iPad. So, if you had an iPad and a Motorola tablet in a case, they'd look fairly similar from a distance.

There are various pros and cons to a 7" screen vs. a 10" screen. I think we'll end up seeing slate tablets in so many different shapes and sizes. At some point, we'll see a 12" screen model and maybe even something bigger, but 7" and 10" screens are here to stay.

Are you going to the 2011 Digital Health Summit and Exhibition?

Author: Thuc Huynh, MD

Are you going to the 2011 Digital Health Summit and Exhibition?

Join me, Dr. Thuc Huynh, in Las Vegas at the annual Consumer Electronics Show where the Digital Health Summit will be taking place. The CES is from January 6-9 and the Digital Health Summit conference track is on Friday, January 7. Read on to learn more about this conference.

The Digital Health Summit at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show focuses on the booming market of consumer-based health and wellness innovations that sit at the convergence of technology and healthcare.

Will Chrome OS beat Microsoft Windows?

When you're on your computer, are you online or offline? In 5 years, how often do you think you'll be sitting in front of a computer that does not have access to the Internet?

Some will say that the future of computing is all cloud-based computing. Who needs native applications on your mobile computer if you're connected to the Internet? If you can access all your applications on the "cloud," then it really won't matter whether you're running Windows XP, Windows 7, Mac OS-X, Linux, or Chrome OS. Slate tablets like the Apple iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab may also have the same computing capabilities as a laptop or desktop if we're relying primarily on cloud-based computing.

I hope that I'll have the opportunity to test a Google Cr-48 laptop so that I can see how Chrome OS looks and feels. If Google ends up taking a very aggressive approach with Chrome OS, will they beat Microsoft Windows? Where will Chrome OS rank as we compare Microsoft Windows, Mac OS-X, Linux, etc.? Chrome OS could quickly take the lead if Google were to give away laptops running Chrome OS. They could easily afford to do this if they ensured that every Chrome OS laptop runs with with embedded advertisements.

Proloquo2Go iPad App vs. Decicated AAC (speech assistance) Devices

This is a guest post by Britney Baker

Proloquo2Go iPad App vs. Decicated AAC (speech assistance) Devices

In today's smartphone era, apps exist for almost every purpose imaginable. Today, I decided to explore how well apps stack up to dedicated devices that serve the same purpose.

AAC Devices- Proloquo2Go

AAC or Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices are devices that help people with communication or speech impediments effectively communicate with others. Most modern devices are tablet or PDA shaped, so wouldn't the iPhone or iPad be an effective alternative?
Proloquo2Go, an app designed for Apple's iDevices, appears to fill that niche. Proloquo2Go offers the same features of any AAC device, but on a platform people are more familiar with. For a self-conscious impaired teenager or young adult, the iPad or iPhone choice might be appealing in that it isn't anything an ordinary person wouldn't carry. One potential problem is the fact that Proloquo2Go is relatively new and not supported by any numbers or results. Despite lack of scientific results, professionals have pointed out that the organization of Proloquo2Go's extensive vocabulary (over 7000 words) is innovative and intuitive compared to other assistive communication vocabularies.

ZAGGmate with Keyboard for the Apple iPad

This could be the perfect iPad case + keyboard combination out there:  The ZAGGmate with Keyboard


ZAGGmate Features

* Aircraft-grade aluminum with a bead-blasted, anodized finish that matches the iPad
* Military grade high-density padding for superior drop protection
* Innovative hinge provides ten angles for viewing and typing in both portrait and landscape mode
* Stylish, thin and lightweight. Half as thin as most folios for the iPad
* Large, flat base allows for use on a soft or uneven surface such as a lap or on a bed
* Only adds about 1/8 of an inch to the iPad

ZAGGmate w/ keyboard Features

* Embedded wireless Bluetooth physical keyboard
* Special function keys for music control, volume control, slideshow, home, search, etc.
* Only adds about 1/4 of an inch to the iPad

The iPad in the Operating Room

Dr. Felasfa M. Wodajo has written about his experiences using the Apple iPad in the operating room. I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Wodajo at HIMSS earlier this year and it's great to see his passion and his enthusiasm for technology in the clinical setting.

Click here to read the column: The iPad in the Hospital and Operating Room (Journal of Surgical Radiology)

Google's Cr-48, the first Chrome OS laptop for cloud computing

The Cr-48 is the first laptop coming out with Google's Chrome OS. Google will distribute the laptop through its Chrome OS Pilot Program, so get ready for mobile cloud computing on your chrome OS laptop. It sounds like other laptop manufacturers will be distributing Chrome OS laptops later in 2011.

I like using Google Docs and these Chrome OS devices will allow you to edit and save Google Doc documents offline. Then, when you get connected to the "cloud," you can save and sync those changes when you're back online.

It also sounds like Google is teaming up with Verizon to offer free online connectivity for their Chrome OS laptops. Sounds like a great bargain!

3rd mHealth Networking Conference

3rd mHealth Networking Conference
March 30-31, 2011
Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center

The 3rd mHealth Networking Conference will focus on new clinicians' tools, pharma opportunities, and mHealth developments, exploring such topics as:

* The adoption rate of new medical apps on mDevices - successes and failures
* How payers are addressing mHealth opportunities
* Movement toward prescribing apps
* Integrating mHealth applications - best practices
* mHealth strategies for hospitals, clinics, or doctor's offices
* Patients role in moving providers toward mHealth communications
* International implementations
* And more...

Register here.

Top 10 Essential Criteria for Choosing the Right Tablet PC

Motion Computing is hosting a free webinar titled, "Top 10 Essential Criteria for Choosing the Right Tablet PC."

Date: Thursday, December 16
Time: 1:00 pm CST (11 am PST, 2 pm EST)

Tablet PC's are gaining a lot of visibility, with users showing enthusiasm for new levels of mobile usability. Many organizations with mobile applications would like to tap the potential benefits that tablets have to offer: improved productivity, reduced paperwork, accurate data entry, and enhanced customer experience.

But with all the options out there-from eBook readers to rich media viewers, touch-enabled displays, and "tablet" PCs-how do you select a truly capable unit that can withstand the rigors of the workplace? Your tablet must be durable and portable enough to perform reliably across a wide range of users, preferences and environments. It will need to deliver ample functionality to handle your organization's applications, offer connectivity options, security, and meet your power requirements, to name just a few criteria.

Join us to learn how to define your organization's tablet computing requirements. We'll present 10 simple questions that will help you select a tablet that:

* Enables you to achieve tangible, measurable advances in productivity, without compromising
users' work styles
* Supports your security requirements
* Is robust enough for your environment

Attend the webinar and receive $500 off the purchase of a new Motion Tablet PC!

Click here for more information.