iPod Touch and iPhone

[SAGUARA]

I would like to start a topic dedicated to a relatively new and revolutionary PDA from Apple that comes in two devices: iPhone and iPod Touch, probably the best PDA on a market.

iPhone is limited to AT&T network, but it's huge advantage over iPod is that it has an unlimited internet access at 3G (high) speed.
Both devices are amazing and offer a huge variety of powerful free and cheap tools for a physician.
I got one for myself and it just won't stop amazing me.


First of all, the design is great. The whole idea of a multitouch screen is awesome, it's much more convenient and durable than a regular touch screen.
But the biggest advantage of iPhone is the AppStore, or an integrated center for application downloads.

Everyone can make an application for iPhone and sell it through the AppStore.
http://developer.apple.com/iphone/program/
That's why now we have thousands of different applications available for this device. Many amazing apps are free, the rest are very affordable ($0.99-9.99). All apps are made uniform, so you don't have to spend time figuring out how to use. The interface is always very convenient and intuitively understandable.


Here are some great tools I found and use widely in my practice (you need iTunes to look them up if you don't have iPhone/iTouch):

1. SkyScape (completely free) contains:
-evidence based medical reference, practically on everything. Cross-linked to medications/treatment
-comprehensive Drug Guide
-over 200 medical calculators (free for iPhone, retail price $24.99)

2. Epocrates (free):
-comprehensive drug guide

3. Diagnosaurus (99 cents)
-very convenient tool to develop a symptom based differential diagnosis.
Excellent for morning reports and rounds.

4. Cardio/renal/hem/GI calculators (free)
-very well done subspecialty calculators. Question-answer-based interface.
Calculate risks and scores. Excellent for elective and ward rotations if you want to impress your attending.

5. ABG (free):
-simple acid-base disorder analyzer. You enter ABGs, lytes and it tells you what a/b disorder it is including complex three-in-one disorders. No need to calculate delta-delta gap no more!
Great for ICU rotations.

If you guys are current iPhone/iTouch users please post what other apps you found useful.

[Sabina]

Very valuable information!Thank you,Saguara!

[Viter]

Looks to very a very useful tool. Thank you SAGUARA!

[SAGUARA]

you guys are very welcome.

[SAGUARA]

Looks like I forgot about pricing.

Prices on those devices depend on memory and generation.
Here is a website, where you can compare iTouch prices:

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en...num=1&ct=title


Generally, 8 Gb 2nd generation iPod would cost around $220, 16 Gb $280. It also comes with 32 Gb memory which is more expensive.
8 Gb iPhone would cost you $200 with 2-years contract with AT&T; 16 Gb will be about $300.
Please pay close attention whether it is a second or a first generation of iTouch. I recommend buying a 2nd gen, hence it has more stuff in it such as bluetooth, speaker and a microphone socket.


Some more exciting technical specs:

-built-in GPS and incorporated Google maps
-bluetooth will be enabled in already existing 2nd gen iTouch with new iPhone OS 3.0 (operating system) release in June
-position sensor. You can flip the iPhone from landscape to portrait position and the image will automatically flip too!
-light sensor (automatically adjusts screen brightness according to external light)
-full internet browser (Safari)
-zoom pictures, web-pages and other content with two fingers
-stylus not required, do everything with your finger
-wifi allows you to access internet at hotspots and to use VoiP telephony (e.d, Skype or Call Free). Skype works perfectly on it (in contrast to, for example, t-Mobile Wing where it caused a total system crash-down every time I tried to run it.%)
-2nd gen iTouch has a speaker and you can also hook up a microphone to it and use Skype!

More is coming!

[Sabina]

Rebyata,a chto vy porekomenduete kupit' vmesto dlya teh,kto ne mozhet kupit' Iphone? U menya kontrakt s Tmobile,esli perejdu na AT&T,to pridetsya shtraf platit.A tmobile I-phone net,chto delat'?

[Tymal]

Are you sure, you're not working for Apple, Saguara ???

Just kidding, I like this little toy too.

[khamid]

Sabina, T-mobile has a very poor selection of phones with Windows Mobile that allow you to run medical software. Options are Blackberry (no touch screen) and T-Mobile Wing (touch screen, but older phone).
I would buy unlocked touch screen phone from Ebay (even used one). My phone is AT&T Tilt, very powerful touch screen PDA phone that can run any software, has internet, bluetooth etc. There are plenty of phones on the market that are affordable and good for your needs.

[SAGUARA]

Originally Posted by Tymal

Are you sure, you're not working for Apple, Saguara ???

....

I wish I was

[SAGUARA]

Originally Posted by Sabina

Rebyata,a chto vy porekomenduete kupit' vmesto dlya teh,kto ne mozhet kupit' Iphone?

iTouch

[Kseniya]

Ребята, мне тоже очень важно услышать от вас совет. Я вообще в этих устройствах не разбираюсь, и даже не знаю, что означают некоторые слова ))

У меня сейчас самый простой телефон, контракт заключен с AT&T.

Что бы вы посоветовали купить? Может быть кто-то мог бы указать модель, которую считает оптимальной? За бОльшим количеством опций не гонюсь. Скорее, хотелось бы приобрести что-то не очень дорогое и с оптимальным набором возможностей, без чего-либо экстраординарного:)

Спасибо большое заранее!

[dimasin]

Originally Posted by Kseniya

Ребята, мне тоже очень важно услышать от вас совет. Я вообще в этих устройствах не разбираюсь, и даже не знаю, что означают некоторые слова ))

У меня сейчас самый простой телефон, контракт заключен с AT&T.

Что бы вы посоветовали купить? Может быть кто-то мог бы указать модель, которую считает оптимальной? За бОльшим количеством опций не гонюсь. Скорее, хотелось бы приобрести что-то не очень дорогое и с оптимальным набором возможностей, без чего-либо экстраординарного:)

Спасибо большое заранее!

There are unlimited choices on the market, but if you're not up to paying $300 for iPhone to be stuck in $70 data plan for 2 years, you may want to get a simple device for your PDA needs. My program gives away Dell Axims, I personally like it (so, I am "stuck" with this option). In the same price range you could buy Palm TX on Ebay. Software can be found for free online. When you're getting smartphone, you may be saving space in your pocket, but it's an expensive piece of hardware and you will be paying premium on your wireless service. But again, it's about personal preferences and you may want to check what other residents using in real life.

[valdisus]

Ksenya,
without prolix introductions and on-topic:

Want PDA phone for free? (optimal) w/contract (ATT):
http://www.wirefly.com/specialoffer....4804feac3711fe
This one is a PDA phone so you can install medical soft, and in general it is optimal. You may get it for free, if you terminate you contract with ATT (if it is ending soon, or no penalty is applicable for termination) and then re-start it (call in advance to AT&T to doblecheck it) and study all offer details. Minimal plan is 39.99 for new costumers. No data is needed.

Want something simpler? Check these two:
http://www.letstalk.com/cell-phones/...htm?prId=34782
http://www.wirefly.com/specialoffer....0a65390b5a3a07
Those are NOT PDA phone so no med soft can be installed, but you may get it for free. Min plan is 39.99. No data is needed.

NB: Change ZIP code in the upper part of the pages (above) to see the details for your region.

Don't see anything you like? Check this summary page for the current best phone deals:
http://www.techbargains.com/cheap-cell-phone.cfm

Like iphone? Get it on ebay at about 300$ for 1st gen (refurb) and use it with ATT prepaid (no internet available) or with T-mobile for 29.99 (300 min/mon) + 5.99 for generic internet (with this hack http://iappcat.com/apps/info/app/3498).

Feel free to ask for details or explanations.

[Annushka]

Narod, podskazhite sovsem temnomu cheloveku!

Esli nam v programe vidajut tablet PC v polzovanie, tuda tozhe mozhno budet zgruzit vse chto nuzhno (ya pravda esche poka ne znaju chto nuzhno??
Vse ravno ego s soboi taskat pridetsya...
Ili nado esche i PDA ili iPhone prikupit dlya udobstva??

[valdisus]

Yes, Annushka tablet potentially may have all software you need.
All software for PDA has a counterpart for windows xp (tablet edition) which is likely OS on your tablet. In fact, the variety of software for PC is much higher. Your program should authorize your installation of 3rd party software though. In regards to comfort - tablets are quite heavy (not pocketable for sure) so you may re-evaluate idea of buying PDA later if you find it necessary.

[Annushka]

Spasibo, Valdisus!

[Kseniya]

Dimasin, Valdisus - огромное спасибо за ответы!

Я посмотрю, подумаю, что было бы оптимальным для меня. Если будут вопросы, напишу.

Спасибо еще раз за ценную информацию!

[khamid]

Just adding couple thoughts.
1. I would not recommend using wirefly or letstalk - they are pretty bad with paying back rebates. Do some research online regarding their reputation.
2. LG and Samsung phones that were recommended have proprietary OS. Valdisus, do you know if they run WinMob software?
3. Search AT&T website for refurbished models - they are much cheaper and as reliable. I have several refurbished phones that all worked without a hitch.

[valdisus]

Agreed,
3rd party resellers are usually bad bet b/c of gray style of operation (a lot of unnecessary options in contract and complex rebates), but for instant rebates it is OK, just make sure you re-visit selected contract page and check-off all the extras they selected by default. Be mindful though that all your further contract operations will be held by 3rd party agencies (like letstalk) and the penalties are higher, but this is the most popular way of getting hot prices on phones.

Of those that I mentioned only LG incite runs WinMob 6.1, the rest have proprietary shell (so non-compartable with skyscape etc).

AT&T official website will definitely be the choice for simplicity and reliability, although oftentimes the stock is poor. Refurbs are quite reliable (arguable, pov diverge)
http://reviews.ebay.com/Refurb-vs-ne...00000011614749
I bought mine iphone refurb - no complaints!


Added on May-6-09:
There are some reviews and ratings that make sense to me and quite authoritative:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/12539...ll_phones.html
http://www.cnet.com.au/top-5-pda-pho...0003981.htm#vp
http://reviews.cnet.com/best-smartphones/

[Cousine_Val]

Originally Posted by SAGUARA

1. SkyScape (completely free) contains:
-evidence based medical reference, practically on everything. Cross-linked to medications/treatment
-comprehensive Drug Guide
-over 200 medical calculators (free for iPhone, retail price $24.99)

2. Epocrates (free):
-comprehensive drug guide

Спасибо ! Подскажите только надо ли ОБЯЗАТЕЛьНО там регистрироваться ? И та регистрация бесплатная ?

И ещё вопрос.....подскажите пожалуйста,какой на ВАШ взгляд словарь ( русско-английский) лучше устоновить на iphone ? на itune их нескол'ко,но какой на ВАШ взгляд лучший и где больше медицинской теметики ?

СПАСИБО.