Phone Lets You Monitor Your Vital Statistics
Chances are these days you don't go far without your cell phone in your pocket, purse, or pack. We've become so dependent on the things that the thought of meeting friends for dinner without having the option of calling them en-rouge to change the venue seems horribly risky. However, for a small but growing number of people, going out without their cell phone could be seriously detrimental to their health, thanks to new technology that's turning mobile phones into portable health monitors.The company, called Confidant, markets a cell phone-based system that allows people to monitor and track their vital statistics. Right now. it produces Java-based software for use on cell phones that utilize Bluetooth connections to wireless glucose monitors and weight scales. Diabetics can check their glucose levels via their phone, which will upload their readings to an online database that doctors could use to monitor the health of their patients. Patients can also track their statistics to learn more about their own bodies and how to stay healthy, and even receive text messages if they forget to test themselves. Those trying to get help losing weight can meanwhile track their progress via their phone and, presumably, get text messages telling them to put down that pastry.
Right now the software and systems are on a limited trial of only 10 people using standard phones connecting via AT&T's service, but initial reports have been very positive, giving hope that we could be seeing these systems made widely available in the not-too-distant future. With phones that can read to the blind already out there and others which can jump-start your heart on the drawing board, it's hard not to be impressed at how far cell phones have come from their bulky, frivolous, and often pretentious origins. [Source: ABC News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
web said 9:48PM on 4-23-2008
This can only lead to bad. A phone that already is a GPS, will record if you drink alcohol, etc.
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