Here Is A Hint At What The Next Generation Of Smartphone's Will Have

 

We are the next generation of all smartphone's

 Chip makers like Qualcomm, Nvidia and Samsung Electronics are working on components that will increase processing power, add more memory and increase screen resolution of next-generation smartphones.

The year has only started and 2014's most exciting smartphones -- including successors to Apple's iPhone 5s, the HTC One and the Galaxy S4 -- still haven't been announced, but upcoming processors, memory modules and screens hint at what can be expected.

Here are some components that will help improve smartphone 

The Snapdragon 800 processor dominated the high-end smartphone market last year, and powered products like the Nexus 5 from Google and LG Electronics, LG's own G2, the Galaxy Note 3 from Samsung and Sony's Xperia Z1. There is very little to suggest that the successor, the Snapdragon 805 won't be a popular option this year.

The Snapdragon 805 is based on the Krait 450 quad-core CPU, which runs at speeds of up to 2.5GHz per core, according to Qualcomm. It also features the new Adreno 420 GPU, which has up to 40 percent more graphics processing power than its predecessor. The extra horsepower will allow smartphones and tablets to display 4K video content, either on the device or a TV.

The first devices using the Snapdragon 805 are expected to arrive during the first half of the year. It's already rumored to power the Samsung Galaxy S5, Sony's Xperia Z2 and the Lumia 1820 from Nokia.

Nvidia's Tegra K1

Qualcomm may dominate, but Nvidia seems hell-bent on giving the company a run for its money with its Tegra K1 processor. Nvidia is hard at work on 32-bit and 64-bit versions that look very competitive.

The first version uses a quad-core processor based on the latest version of ARM's Cortex A15 CPU. It has four main processors running at up to 2.3GHz and a fifth power-optimized core to handle low performance tasks and help extend battery life, according to Nvidia. The second version uses a custom, Nvidia-designed 64-bit dual "Super Core" CPU running at up to 2.5GHz. It is based on the ARMv8 architecture, which introduces 64-bit support to the ARM world.

With the K1, Nvidia is putting an emphasis on improved gaming. The processors combined with a GPU based on Nvidia's Kepler architecture can outperform both the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, according to Nvidia. The company has also implemented CUDA, a parallel computing platform and programming model that enables increased performance by taking better advantage of the GPU.

The 32-bit version is expected in devices in the first half of the year and the 64-bit version during the second half, according to Nvidia.

Samsung's 8GB LPDDR4 Mobile DRAM

While most expensive smartphones today have 2GB of RAM, Samsung's semiconductor unit has announced a new chip that will make it possible for the company and others to build mobile devices with up to 4GB of RAM.

The memory increase and performance improvement offered by the 8-gigabit LPDDR4 (low power double data rate) mobile DRAM will result in faster, more responsive applications and will open the door for more advanced features as well as displays with higher resolutions, according to Samsung. The product also consumes less power than current memory chipsets, it said.

The chip will start shipping this year for use in large-screen smartphones, tablets and ultra-slim notebooks, according to Samsung. While 4GB will be possible, it's more likely that new high-end smartphones will instead get a more modest upgrade to 3GB.

Samsung also offers eMMC (embedded MultiMediaCard) memory to increase integrated storage to 128GB. That has been possible for some time, but vendors don't seem very interested.

LG Display's 2560 by 1440 pixel screen

Larger screens with higher resolutions have been one of the biggest smartphone trends in the last couple of years, and that shows few signs of abating. For example, LG Electronics' Display unit has developed a 5.5-inch screen for next generation smartphones with a 2560 by 1440 pixel resolution.

That combination equals a density of 538 ppi (pixels-per-inch). Current smartphones like the HTC One has 468 ppi on a 4.7-inch screen and the Samsung's Galaxy S4 has 441 ppi on a 5-inch screen.

The higher resolution allows users to see a full view of a PC-version Web page without any image distortion, according to LG. As is often the case, LG doesn't seem to be alone among the major smartphone makers working on screens with this resolution -- Samsung and Sony are rumored to be doing the same.

STMicroelectronics' 9-Axis movement and position sensor

Today's smartphones aren't just about raw performance. They also have a multitude of different sensors to help with navigation, for example.

STMicroelectronics has announced a new 9-axis movement and position sensor, which combines a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis magnetometer. Its improved performance can be used to enhance features such as gesture controls, indoor navigation, and augmented reality, the company said.

The sensor measures 3.5 by 3 millimeters, which is almost 35 percent smaller than previous generations. It also uses less power than previous models. In addition to smartphones, it can be used in remote controls, game controllers, and sports or medical wearables, STM said.

The company is shipping small volumes of the sensor, but isn't saying when it will show up in smartphones.

Posted by www.anymobilesmartphone.co.uk

Apple Says It Can Fix The iPhone 'Bug' That Prevents Texts Going to Android Phones

 

Apple says it has a "bug fix" in the works for iMessage, the texting system that iPhone uses, according to Re/code.

The glitch most frequently affects users who switch from using an iPhone in favor of an Android or other non-Apple phone brand. Many users find that they can no longer receive texts from iPhones.

The technical issue is that iMessage texts get stuck inside the iMessage system and never make it to the phone number they're intended for. Apple was recently sued over the issue in a federal lawsuit seeking class action status.

The company has for days been declining to respond to Business Insider's requests that it comment on the problem. Meanwhile, hundreds of readers emailed us to tell us that they lost jobs, relationships or sales commissions because texts from iPhones weren't reaching them. Former Apple employees told us Apple has known about the bug for months but has thus far failed to find a solution. (We published a step by step guide to fixing it here.) Rival phone companies even lost sales when customers who bought their phones were forced to switch back to iPhone because they could not receive texts.

Apple told Re/code in a statement: "We recently fixed a server-side iMessage bug which was causing an issue for some users, and we have an additional bug fix in a future software update ... For users still experiencing an issue, please contact AppleCare."

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Forced Against Your Will To Buy Apple Products Because iPhones Often Won't Send Texts To Androids

A woman who is suing Apple in a California federal court claiming she was deprived of the full benefit of her Samsung Android phone because the iMessage account on her old iPhone allegedly wouldn't pass on text messages from other iPhone users. But several former iPhone customers have told Business Insider that they were forced to go back to old iPhones, or buy new ones, against their will after buying Androids simply because they could no longer receive texts from iPhone users.

The issue has cost some of them hundreds of dollars in wasted Android phone purchases. "We have people literally cursing us out or returning their Android devices," one AT&T sales rep told us.

One man told us he was forced to give up his Android because his inability to receive texts from iPhones was affecting his business. Another said he missed texts from his boss and was afraid for his job if he continued without an iPhone.

Most said they were simply frustrated because they couldn't get message from their spouses or loved ones who used iPhones. All of them seem to be furious at being forced back into the Apple system against their will. (Although they're not quite as angry as the holdouts who live without texts from people they know using iPhones and refuse to go back to Apple, according to emails we've gotten from Business Insider readers.)

We drew these stories from the more than 400 people who emailed us after we published a series of stories about the way iMessage can prevent texts from being transmitted to Android phones, especially when a user has switched from an iPhone to an Android (or other brand) and kept the same phone number.

We've repeatedly asked Apple for comment but the company has told us it won't comment on matters, mmm we wonder why? It is to do with all the bloody money that they are making, Yes i think so.

The problem does have a solution, but it can be complicated. See our step-by-step guide to turning off iMessage here.

Please see what other people have to say on this matter, below.

Jan Henderzahs, a former Apple employee, told us that she wasted $500 on a Samsung Galaxy S5 after she switched jobs. "My entire office uses iPhones," she says. "I switched to the Samsung Galaxy S5 for personal reasons and after two weeks of not getting coworkers' texts, including my bosses, I was forced to switch back to my iPhone. ... it is a very frustrating situation to be in."

We're not saying that the problem is so widespread that it's actually retarding the sales of Android phones. But it is certainly common enough that retailers are aware of it. Two people who work in mobile retail — one for Verizon and one at Staples — told us that they'd either seen customers return Samsung phones to get iPhones back because of the iMessage issue, or that they'd seen customers shy away from Androids once they'd been informed that switching from Apple might cost them messages from friends.

Here's a selection of (unedited) stories from the emails we received:

Joey Pasta [presumably not a real name]: "I am a sales rep in a local AT&T Retail location.  This is a problem we deal with every day.  We have people literally cursing us out or returning their Android devices."

Kenneth Myers: "I got the phone at staples where I work now as the tech supervisor, and anytime a customer comes in to buy a phone I make sure to let them know that if they are switching from apple to android they may have some issues with texting. I feel it has torpedoed some sales but I don't want a customer to be uninformed."

Jonathan Eells: "I work in a Verizon retail store and recently switched from an iphone to a Samsung note 3.  I recently had to deal with this issue multiple times and informed many of my customer who were switching that they would not receive messages. ...  I had a customer return a brand new s4 after experiencing this problem.  I explained how to go about getting it fixed but they said 'I can't not get messages as much as  I don't like my Iphone and love the s4 I need to get all my messages.'  I couldn't believe how apple had gotten this customer right where they wanted them.  I was also upset because I had now lost out on any money I made in the sale and couldn't believe the audacity of apple."

Jan Henderzahs: "I have indeed experienced the problem. My entire office uses iPhones I switched to the Samsung galaxy S5 for personal reasons and after two weeks of not getting coworkers text including my bosses I was forced to switch back to my iPhone. I was on day 16 of 14 allowed to return the Samsung back to Verizon to Verizon would not allow me to return it either therefore I am stuck with a $500 device because I also purchased the Samsung gear 2 watch and have no way of returning the two devices. I myself am a former Apple employee and have almost one of each of Apple's products it is a very frustrating situation to be in."

Jackie DeCicco: "I had so many issues with receiving text messages on my android phone from iphone users that I finally broke down and bought the iphone 5s.  Everyone I know had an iphone and every time I was involved in a group text it would take forever to receive the messages if I received them at all.  I was always against the apple phones because I’ve been told they are just basic phones and that the androids can do so much more.  The texting issue was so frustrating that I finally switched from android to iphone just last week.  My messages come through just fine now."

Mike Haddan: "I then went back to t-mobile to explain that I had been trying to fix my phone for the past few weeks and that I needed to return it and re-purchase an iphone. It was past their return policy so they refused to take my phone back. I unfortunately took out my anger on the employees there but they eventually let me return the phone and buy a new iphone. I don’t want to have an iphone but I have no alternative. If I want to be a part of any group text or guarantee that I receive texts from my friends, I unfortunately need to stay with apple."

Jess Pham: "Yep. I'm an iPhone user that have switched to Samsung S4 and am experiencing non deliverable text messages sent from an iPhone user to my Android. It is soooo frustrating that I have had to now revert back to using my old iPhone 4 since I've used my 2 year upgrade to purchase the Samsung S4. I'm approaching the 1 yr mark with my current upgrade but still have another year before I could upgrade to a different/faster phone. Bummer!"

Colin Huse: "I was a 'victim' of this problem.  Same solution...after few days I had to go back to iPhone because it was effecting my business."

Jill Domanski: Then when I tried to return the phone to verizon and go back to my crappy iphone, they told me that it wasn't their problem and i missed the window to return.  The manager at verizon told me to sell the phone on ebay.  Ridiculous. I ended up calling verizon and worked my way up the chain and finally got an empathic employee who said that she would accept the return, refund my money and reinstate my upgrade.  I just shipped it out.  Glad to be done with this madness.  I still hate my iphone."

Aly Assar: "I read your post about this issue and I had the same issue. I bought a note 3 for my wife switching from iPhone 4s and I could not send messages to her from my iPhone. Finally I had to return the note 3 and move get back to iPhone."

Alexandra Rodriguez: "I ended up switching back to an iPhone within a few months.  Yes, the brand-new Windows 8 platform and App Store were young and still lacking, but I can say with absolute honesty that the frustration with text messages is what caused me to jump ship.  I would have been happy to watch the new phone grow and better itself with software updates, but ultimately the inconvenience of the text message situation was simply not worth it for me."

Brett Bell: I had an unbelievably hard time switching over.  I basically wanted a better operating system, bigger screen, and an overall better phone.  I was told by their rep that if I didn't 'raise hell' like I did, the process to switch over would be 45 days.   Despite that, I did 'raise hell' and still couldn't go to the android.   It took me 4 days, while in sales, to have swallow the pill of going back to an iPhone. If you need anyone to testify, I'm your guy."

Tanner Kilander: "I called Sprint, they could only assure me that the iphone was deactivated and should no longer be receiving messages. I was determined to keep the s5, because I really liked the phone and I didn't want to reward Apple with additional business when they were holding my texts hostage.  But I soon realized that the risk was too great ... I had clients, my boss, friends and family members trying to reach me, and I got in trouble quickly. My boss had apparently texted me several times about an important issue, and of course I had not responded. That was enough to push me back, reluctantly, to my old 4s. Best Buy had been helping me consistently with this issue since I initially realized it was happening, and they were kind enough to allow me to return the s5 after 33 days.  Now I am waiting for the iphone 6 to come out, trying to figure out a way to avoid throwing hundreds more dollars at Apple but still receive my texts. I WISH I had time to sue them, I was happy to see that someone else did."

Joseph Lucero: "Same thing happened to me and my wife when we got the lg g2 and I got the problem resolved on my phone but my wife's wouldn't resolve it! So instantly we were fed up with android systems all together and immediately switched back to iPhone! We got the 5s and problem solved but were pretty much done with androids before we started to hear that it was an occurring problem with several others! Bs!!!!!"

"Me being an apple faithful, I feared it would be difficult to make the switch. However I found myself quickly falling in love with all the features that Samsung provides that apple doesn't on their latest phones. That was until I noticed that I can no longer flawlessly communicate with very important people such as my boss, business partners, and close friends. All of whom which are iphone users and whom I must communicate daily. I was told that I had 14 days to go back and swap to an iphone if I didn't like my new gadget, and each day I find myself more and more convinced that I shall indeed do so because my iphone using contacts cannot get a hold of me no matter what is done."

Posted by www.anymobilesmartphone.co.uk

Apple v Google

In a joint statement issued on Friday, tech giants Apple and Google have revealed that they have reached an agreement to settle all smartphone-related patent-infringement lawsuits which the two companies had filed against each other.

Apple and Google said in the joint statement that they have also "agreed to work together in some areas of patent reform." However, the companies asserted alongside that the settlement worked out by them does not include a cross licensing of their respective patented technology.

According to the Friday filings, Apple and Google - which have filed dozens of patent-infringement lawsuits against each other - have informed a federal appeals court in Washington that their patent litigation against each other should be dismissed.

The agreement between Apple and Google essentially implies that the companies have dropped the nearly two dozen patent suits and countersuits between Google's Motorola Mobility subsidiary and Apple.

The cases date back to 2010; and were inherited by Google when it acquired Motorola's patent portfolio and mobile phone business in 2012, in a $12.5 billion deal. With Google now having sold Motorola's smartphone unit to Lenovo, the old patent litigation has evidently stopped making much sense.

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Breaking Smartphones News Alert The world's first Braille phone

The world's first Braille phone.

The front and back of the phone is constructed using 3D printing techniques and can be customised.

Other companies have designed Braille phones in the past, but OwnFone says its device is the first of its kind to go on sale.

For those who can't read Braille, the company can print raised text on the keypad.

The phone, currently only available in the UK, retails for £60 and according to its inventor Tom Sunderland, 3D printing the front and back of the device helped to keep the costs down.

"3D printing... provides a fast and cost-effective way to create personalised Braille buttons," he says.

The device is designed to provide an instant connection between blind users and their friends and family.

Haptic touchscreen

In 2012, OwnFone launched what was one of the world's first partially 3D printed phones.

A year later, the company developed a special child-friendly version called 1stFone, a credit-card sized device with programmable buttons for crucial contacts.

OwnFone's new Braille phone is based on these previous two devices, keeping its small form factor and colourful design.

"The phone can be personalised with two or four Braille buttons which are pre-programmed to call friends, family, carers or the emergency services," Mr Sunderland told the BBC.

"This is the first phone to have a 3D printed keypad and for people that can't read Braille, we can print texture and raised text on the phone. Our 3D phone printing process is patent pending."

Those who wish to buy the phone can create a custom design on the company's website.

However, at £60 it's the most expensive of the three available options, with their previous models selling for £40 and £50.

While this may be the first Braille phone available to consumers, the idea is not an original one.

India-based start-up Kriyate built a prototype Braille-enabled smartphone in 2013, featuring a repressible Braille display and feedback controls (known as haptic touch) that beep or vibrate after receiving certain commands.

Some visually impaired users of mobile phones may not see the need for this device however, with features such as Apple's Voiceover becoming more sophisticated.

VoiceOver is a "screenreader" that allows users to navigate their phone using gesture-based controls.

There are also a number of apps on both the Apple Store and Google Play that allow for an easier reading experience for the visually impaired.

I hope now that the world can see more of this, after all we should help our fellow people to get on the best they can.

Posted by www.anymobilesmartphone.co.uk

BlackBerry Z3: Is this last chance for smartphone maker?

 



This could be make or break for the Smartphone maker Blackberry, keep your eye's glued to this worldwide Smartphone news channel, for more info in to wheather Blackberry fail's or wins the battle to stay afloat.

BlackBerry has launched the Z3, a low-cost smartphone for emerging markets, as it looks to revive struggling sales.

The handset, unveiled at a glitzy launch event in the Indonesian capital, is the first in a line of devices being made with FIH Mobile, a unit of Foxconn, best known for assembling gadgets like iPhones and iPads for Apple.


If the market doesn't receive this product well, then we definitely have some negative issues to deal with

The success of the 5in handset retailing for less than $200 could well decide the outcome of both BlackBerry's tie-up with the contract manufacturing giant and its own future in smartphones. The Z3 Jakarta Edition will hit store shelves on 15 May.

"If this device allows them to grow again, even if it's just small, steady growth, that's a success in itself. That says there is still room for BlackBerry in Indonesia," said Ryan Lai, market analyst at consultancy IDC.

The Z3 is the first phone to be launched by BlackBerry since new CEO John Chen took the helm late last year. It's initially being launched in Indonesia, but will be gradually introduced in other markets as well.



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The first legal challenge against alleged GCHQ snooping on UK smartphone

The first legal challenge against alleged GCHQ snooping on UK smartphones has been filed.
 The challenge alleges that the Government Communications Headquarters listening post has infected "potentially millions" of computers and smartphones around the world with malicious software, which could be used to extract photos and text messages, switch on the phone's microphone or camera, track locations and listen in to calls.

Privacy International, a UK-based charity, brought the case to demand "an end to the unlawful hacking being carried out by GCHQ which, in partnership with the NSA".

It argues these practices violate articles 8 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Article 8 outlines the right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence, and the activists question whether GCHQ's data collection is in accordance with the law.

Deputy director Eric King said: "Unrestrained, unregulated Government spying of this kind is the antithesis of the rule of law and Government must be held accountable for their actions."

In March this year website The Intercept reported that the US National Security Agency (NSA) planned to secretly infect millions of devices with software that would extract information and send it back to the NSA, and that GCHQ collaborated to develop these tools.

The Guardian newspaper also said that by May 2010, GCHQ had developed software for iPhone and Android devices called Warrior Pride, which allowed the remote activation of microphones and cameras on phones, as well as the retrieval of data stored on the phone.

In January, legal advice given to MPs by public law barrister Jemima Stratford QC said spy agencies could use "gaps in the current statutory framework to commit serious crimes with impunity" and that GCHQ surveillance could be in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Mr King added: "The hacking programmes being undertaken by GCHQ are the modern equivalent of the Government entering your house, rummaging through your filing cabinets, diaries, journals and correspondence, before planting bugs in every room you enter."

GCHQ told Sky News it had no comment on Privacy International's challenge

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Drones Controlled By Smartphones

Wireless products maker Parrot unveiled a drone Sunday aimed squarely at smartphone or tablet owners keen on getting bird's eye views of the world.

 

Parrot billed its Bebop Drone as a flying high-quality camera that will land in the market in the final three months this year.

The Paris-based maker of wireless accessories for automobiles and handheld mobile devices did not disclose how much it plans to charge for the drones.

"The experience is like being a bird, an insect," Parrot founder and chief Henri Seydoux said while providing an early look at Bebop drones in San Francisco.

"You fly through the device and see the same thing as if you were a bird."

A Bebop drone can be controlled using smartphones or tablet computers powered by Apple or Android software, displaying on screens what is captured by its high-definition camera with a 180-degree "fish-eye" view.
 



The drones can also synch to Oculus Rift virtual reality headsets, letting wearers essentially look around by moving their heads as though they are actually flying.

Consumer targets for the drones, which are essentially motion-stabilized cameras, include people who want to capture aerial shots for movies made using smartphones or tablets.

Bebop drones link to mobile devices using standard Wi-Fi connections and have ranges of about 980 feet (300 meters).

Parrot said it will sell separately a Skycontroller accessory dock for mobile devices to boost flying distances to about 1.2 miles (two kilometers).

A homing feature lets people controlling Bebop drones order them to return automatically to where they took-off using GPS capabilities, according to Seydoux.

A 2.2-pound (one-kilogram) Bebop drone, whose camera is taken aloft by four propellers, buzzed like a swarm of bees as it swooped, circled and hovered in an inner courtyard at a historic former US mint building in downtown San Francisco.

The drones are designed to fly indoors or outdoors.

Imagery captured by drones is stored and can be digitally downloaded after Bebops return from flights, according to Parrot product manager Francois Callou.

Bebop drones will debut as communities and regulators grapple with privacy concerns, aviation risks and other issues raised by personal or business use of such devices in the skies.

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Doctor's will see you now via webcam, on your smartphone



Welcome to the virtual house call, the latest twist on telemedicine. It's increasingly getting attention as a way to conveniently diagnose simple maladies, such as whether that runny nose and cough is a cold or the flu. One company even offers a smartphone app that lets tech-savvy consumers connect to a doctor for $49 a visit.

Now patient groups and technology advocates are pushing to expand the digital care to people with complex chronic diseases that make a doctor's trip more than just an inconvenience.
"Why can't we provide care to people wherever they are?" asks Dr. Ray Dorsey, a neurologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center who is leading a national study of video visits for Parkinson's patients and sees broader appeal.

"Think of taking your mom with Alzheimer's to a big urban medical center. Just getting through the parking lot they're disoriented," he adds. "That's the standard of care but is it what we should be doing?"
Among the hurdles: While Medicare covers some forms of telehealth, it doesn't typically pay for in-home video exams. Plus, doctors who practice by video-chat must be licensed in whatever states their long-distance patients live. Some states restrict the kind of care and prescribing available via telemedicine.

About 40 percent of Parkinson's patients don't see a specialist, in part because they live too far away, even though research suggests those who do fare better, according to the Parkinson's Action Network.
When Matulaitis first was diagnosed in 2011, his wife had to take a day off work to drive him more than two hours to a Parkinson's clinic. Once he was stabilized on medication, Dorsey enrolled the Salisbury, Md., man in a pilot study of video house calls. Set-up was simple: The doctor emailed a link to video software designed for patient privacy.
He's thrilled with the care.

"It's just the same as if you've ever done Facetime on an iPhone," explained Matulaitis, 59, who continues his virtual checkups with Dorsey a few times a year. "It allows the doctor to see the patient at a point where they are at their best."
Telemedicine is broader than a Skype-like doctor visit. For years, doctors have delivered different forms of care remotely, from the old-fashioned phone call to at-home monitors that measure someone's blood pressure and beam the information to a clinic. Hospitals routinely set up on-site video consultations with specialists.

But the virtual house call is gaining interest. Some insurers offer versions, such as Wellpoint Inc.'s LiveHealth Online service. Telemedicine provider American Well is making headlines with its direct-to-consumer service, offered in 44 states. Psychiatrists are exploring mental health follow-up counseling from the privacy of a patient's home computer.

New guidelines from the Federation of State Medical Boards say telemedicine can be OK without a prior in-person visit, a change expected to influence licensing regulations in a number of states, said federation president Dr. Humayun Chaudhry. The guidelines hold virtual visits to the same standards as an office visit, including a full medical history and informed consent, and say patients should be able to choose among participating doctors. The group also is finalizing a plan to make it easier for doctors to practice across state lines.

But does a virtual exam translate into better outcomes for the chronically ill?
"There's an evidence gap that needs to be filled," said Romana Hasnain-Wynia of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, an agency created under the new health care law to study which medical treatments and procedures work best.
With a $1.7 million grant from PCORI, Dorsey's study is randomly assigning about 200 Parkinson's patients from around the country to receive either their usual care or added virtual checkups from a specialist. His pilot studies have suggested telemedicine allows needed care such as medication adjustments while saving patients time.

As for people seeking even a seemingly simple diagnosis, there are other questions such as how to avoid overprescribing antibiotics. Yes, a smartphone camera may spot signs of strep throat. But national guidelines urge a strep test before giving antibiotics, to be sure a virus isn't to blame.
"You have to be a touch more thoughtful when you're talking about new patient relationships," said Dr. Joseph Kvedar of the Center for Connected Health, a division of Boston's Partners Healthcare. But he predicts at-home infection tests one day could supplement telehealth.

Then there's cost. The key is whether telehealth replaces doctor visits or adds to them, Dr. Ateev Mehrotra of Harvard and the RAND Corp., said in recent testimony for a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee that is studying how to enhance telemedicine.

Hopefully this will be adopted in the UK too, where loads of people and Doctors can benefit from this new tecnology.

Posted by www.anymobilesmartphone.co.uk

App That Happens To Keep Your Communications Private



John McAfee, a British-American computer programmer and founder of the firm behind the well-known antivirus software McAfee, has unveiled a new encrypted messaging app for smartphones called Chadder on Monday, May 5 at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) festival.

According to a press release, Future Tense Private Systems (FTC), in partnership with Etransfr, developed the free smartphone messaging app that lets anyone send private encrypted messages.
"Chadder is an unprecedented messaging platform. We have developed this highly secure system with an extraordinary team of developers at the prestigious RIT, "said McAfee, founder of  FTC. "Chadder is a fun and easy to use messaging app that happens to keep your communications private; so private that we can't see it ourselves."

Chadder claims it maintain users' information safe and private through the use of key server encryption. This means exchange of messages between two active users cannot be viewed by the messaging app itself. Chadder can only see the encryption codes of these messages. It affirms that only the receiver has the key to unlock the original message, dropping any intrusion in between.
"The social media industry is built around the consumer also being the product. Chadder is here to prove that young people want privacy just as much as adults do. The application is simple and straight forward with a lot of power given to the user," said Lexi Sprague, founder of computer and network security company Etransfr. "At the end of the day it is about giving privacy and control back to the user without scaring them off with complicated log in and messaging processes.
The team behind the program Chadder believes there needs to be a balance between usability and privacy!"

NDTV reported that Chadder appears to be in its Beta version, citing that one of the significant features of the app is still not working. According to NDTV, it has successfully registered and entered the app, but was unable to find a colleague (who also installed the app on his smartphone) after several attempts by email, phone number or  through the use of the name search option.
As of the moment,

Chadder is only available for Android and Windows Phone OS users on Google Play and Windows Phone Store. The press release noted the iOS version of the app is still being tested and will available on App Store in the following weeks.

Posted by www.anymobilesmartphone.co.uk