All articles tagged with #smartphone app
Research shows that increasing walking cadence by about 14 steps per minute can significantly improve physical function in frail or prefrail older adults, with a new smartphone app helping to measure and encourage this brisker pace for better health and independence.
A study suggests that walking slightly faster—about 14 steps per minute above usual—can significantly improve physical function in frail or at-risk older adults. Researchers developed a smartphone app called 'Walk Test' to accurately measure walking cadence, making it easier for seniors to incorporate this beneficial activity into daily life. Increasing walking speed judiciously can help older adults maintain independence and overall health.
A new study published in npj Digital Medicine introduces a smartphone app designed to conduct memory self-tests for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. The app, developed by a collaborative team of researchers, has shown promise in accurately identifying mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to Alzheimer’s, through remote and unsupervised memory testing. The study's findings suggest that the app-based assessments are highly accurate and comparable to traditional clinical evaluations, offering potential for more accessible and frequent monitoring of cognitive health. While the outcomes are promising, further research is needed to validate the app's efficacy in larger and more diverse populations and to explore its utility in tracking Alzheimer’s progression over longer periods.
Dyson has developed CleanTrace, a new feature that uses augmented reality sensors on smartphones to show users where they've vacuumed, aiming to address inefficiencies in cleaning. The feature, which requires attaching the phone to the vacuum, will initially only be compatible with the Gen5detect model and Pro or Pro Max iPhones 12 and newer. Dyson plans to add the feature to its mobile app as a free update in June, but it's unclear whether it will work with other Dyson vacuums or those from other brands. The feature is designed to provide an additional layer of proof and peace of mind for users, but its necessity and potential limitations remain uncertain.
A smartphone app has shown promise in detecting early signs of frontotemporal dementia, a leading cause of early-onset dementia, in individuals at high genetic risk. The app, which records speech and administers cognitive tests, was found to be as sensitive as traditional clinic evaluations and may even be more effective in detecting the earliest stages of the condition. While not yet available to the public, the app could aid in research and clinical trials for potential therapies, offering a less burdensome and more easily accessible means of monitoring treatment effects.
A new AI-powered smartphone app developed by physician-scientists at the University of Pittsburgh accurately diagnoses ear infections in children, potentially reducing unnecessary antibiotic use. The app analyzes videos of the eardrum to distinguish between acute otitis media and other issues, achieving a 93% accuracy rate. This innovation could improve diagnostic accuracy in primary healthcare settings and aid in guiding treatment decisions, while also serving as a valuable teaching and reassurance tool for parents.
Researchers at Dartmouth have developed MoodCapture, a smartphone app that uses AI and facial-image processing to detect early symptoms of depression by analyzing facial expressions and surroundings captured by the phone's front camera. In a study of 177 people with major depressive disorder, the app identified early signs of depression with 75% accuracy. The technology could be publicly available within five years and aims to provide nonintrusive, real-time support for individuals with depression, potentially closing the gap between when intervention is needed and access to mental health resources. The app's developers plan to enhance its diagnostic ability, reinforce privacy measures, and fine-tune the AI model based on individual user data.
The Rabbit R1, a pocket-sized AI device, has sold out multiple batches since its January 2024 launch, prompting questions about why it isn't just a smartphone app. Rabbit CEO Jesse Lyu explained that creating a separate device was partly due to concerns about working with Apple and competition within the AI software market. He emphasized the need to protect the company's unique AI model from being copied and to distinguish itself in a crowded consumer market, despite acknowledging the inconvenience of carrying an additional device.
A study evaluated the use of the Floodlight Open smartphone app in monitoring functional domains in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and found that while MS patients were more likely to use the app, a significant proportion quickly stopped using it. The study highlighted the need to improve long-term engagement and adherence to digital health technologies in MS clinical care, emphasizing the importance of linking app use with clinical care to promote participation. Despite high patient engagement in a controlled clinical trial, real-world adherence remains a challenge, and further research is needed to optimize the perceived value of using the app and integrate it into MS clinical care.
An international research team has developed the MindEar app, which offers training and sound therapy to help tinnitus patients manage their symptoms. The app, based on cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness, aims to reduce the brain's focus on tinnitus, providing hope for the millions affected by the condition. Initial trials showed significant improvement in almost two-thirds of participants, and the team plans larger trials in the UK. The app is designed to be accessible and effective for those awaiting tinnitus support, offering a more rapid and affordable tool for managing the condition.
A new smartphone app called HearO uses AI to analyze changes in users' voices and predict the risk of hospitalization due to heart failure. By detecting subtle changes that indicate increasing fluid in the lungs, the app was able to predict deterioration and the need for hospitalization three weeks in advance with 76% accuracy. This advanced warning allows doctors to start preventative treatment and potentially save lives. The app has received Breakthrough Device Designation and is on track for FDA approval by 2024.
Researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health have developed a smartphone app called OpenCap that can track and analyze human motion, including locomotion, at a fraction of the cost and 25 times faster than current techniques. The app uses artificial intelligence to analyze muscle activations, joint loads, and joint movements, providing valuable data for evaluating patients with movement difficulties, planning surgeries, and assessing treatment outcomes. The app has the potential to be used for disease risk screening, rehabilitation decisions, and tracking improvements in motion following treatment.
Sony has introduced mocopi, a mobile motion capture system that uses six small and lightweight sensors and a dedicated smartphone app to enable full-body motion tracking. Users can capture their motion data or record videos of their avatars in motion, and the data can be sent to compatible third-party software in real time. The system is designed for use in virtual reality and offers a Software Development Kit for developers. mocopi will be available for pre-order starting June 29, 2023, with shipping beginning on July 14, 2023.
OpenAI has released a smartphone app version of its popular artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT, which is now available on iPhones and iPads in the US and will later be coming to Android devices. The mobile version on Apple's iOS operating system also enables users to speak to it using their voice. The app will remain ad-free but "syncs your history across devices." The delay in getting the product on phones helped fuel a rise of clones built on similar technology, some of which the security firm Sophos described as "fleeceware" in a report this week because they push unsuspecting users toward enrolling in a free trial that converts into a recurring subscription, or use intrusive advertising techniques.
There is no official ChatGPT app for Android or iPhone, but it can be accessed through a mobile browser. OpenAI released a public API for ChatGPT in March 2023, which is being used in various apps such as Snapchat, Quizlet, Instacart, Shop, and Speak. However, there are many fake ChatGPT apps claiming to be "powered by ChatGPT," making it difficult to differentiate between real and fake apps. The best way to use ChatGPT is still through chat.openai.com in your browser.