I was talking with SIRI the other day, I asked Siri to remind me to take a medication twice a day –every 12 hours. SIRI’s response? No. Well, basically SIRI told me that it was too often/too much to remind me every 12 hours indefinitely. So that got me thinking. What should SIRI be able to do?
I should be able to tell SIRI to remind me about taking my medications. For example, “SIRI remind me to take my Metforman each morning when I get up and each night before bed.” Or, better yet, “SIRI remind me to take my antibiotic three times a day.” I think we could utilize QR codes on prescription labels –these would give SIRI information about the medicine prescribed, the frequency it needs to be taken, and dosage requirements. SIRI could then follow up with the user as to if/when they did take their medicine to monitor compliance. It could also get vitals, like blood sugar, pulse, blood pressure, weight, etc. and communicate that to the primary prescriber.
Now enter iOS 8. Following along with MacRumors the past few weeks, the answer to my issues might be coming sooner than anticipated. Apple is now developing a new app that is expected to be unveiled with iOS 8. This new app is reportedly called “Healthbook” and it will be a preinstalled app that can collect and organize information and data points related to the user’s health. The data points will supposedly include blood pressure, hydration, heart rate, and glucose levels. It is also rumored that “Healthbook” might be dipping into the fitness world and have the ability to track weight loss and store fitness statistics like steps taken, calories burned, and miles walked. Reportedly, “Healthbook” will be able to pull these statistics from the new M7 processor in the iPhone 5s and also from wearable devices like the iWatch we’ve been hearing so much of.
How Will It Work?
According to 9to5Mac:
“The “Healthbook” application is said to take multiple user interface cues from Apple’s own Passbook app, which is software for storing loyalty cards, coupons, and other materials normally stored in physical wallets.
The new health and fitness application’s interface is a stack of cards that can be easily swiped between. Each card represents a different fitness or health data point. The prototype logo for “Healthbook” is similar to Passbook’s icon, but it is adorned with graphics representing vital signs.”
A bonus, it might also remind users to take medications at certain times during the day. 9to5Mac also reports that, “The software is also programmed to allow users to enter details about their medications so that they could be reminded to take pills at scheduled times. This will likely integrate with iOS’s existing Reminders application.”
This Is Huge
Reading through the feedback so far from Apple users who are anticipating this unveil –there is an overwhelming excitement for this technology. This covers such a broad spectrum of health and fitness related needs. Even an otherwise healthy adult will need some sort of prescription or monitoring at some point. This is a huge innovation.
We’re watching and waiting to see what other features will be revealed and what the end result will actually look like and what it will do. In the meantime, what could your iPhone be doing for you that it isn’t currently? What new technologies or capabilities do you wish it had? Where is SIRI lacking for you personally?
