Epocrates on the BlackBerry Storm

Last month, I had the opportunity to use a BlackBerry Storm as my own smartphone. I installed several medical applications (apps) on it, but I was quickly disappointed by the fact that it only has 120 MB (not GB, but MB) of memory for apps. It has plenty of storage space (thanks to an 8 GB storage card), but I need space for applications, not for things like MP3 files and videos. I quickly filled up that 120 MB of space and that was one of the reasons why I ended up returning it to Verizon.

Of course, I installed Epocrates to see how it would run on the BlackBerry Storm. I was very impressed by the way it operated and I noticed that Epocrates was always running in the background, even after a reboot (which took over 5 minutes!). Epocrates was fast and responsive and I think it ran really well on the BlackBerry Storm. Unfortunately, you're currently limited to Epocrates Rx or Rx Pro. You can't get Epocrates Essentials for BlackBerry right now.

You can read about my initial impressions of the BlackBerry Storm here at MedicalSmartphones.com.

I returned the BlackBerry Storm to Verizon Wireless and I have no regrets. I'm back to Windows Mobile (now running 6.5) and I'm sure that the BlackBerry hardware and operating system will continue to improve over the next year. The Storm 2 is coming out this fall and the price on the current Storm is very low ($50). I really hope that the Storm 2 has much more space devoted to apps.

If you're a healthcare professional and you're using a BlackBerry Storm, you've probably loaded Epocrates. What else are you running on your BlackBerry?

To keep up with all my smartphone discussions, visit: http://www.medicalsmartphones.com

Medical Software for the BlackBerry Storm

With all the recent buzz about the BlackBerry Storm 2 (which won't have the clickable SurePress screen), I've been inundated with questions about medical software for the BlackBerry Storm. Why do I get so many questions? Because I also author the site: http://www.medicalsmartphones.com

There are several options for physicians, medical students, nurses, and pharmacists who are looking for medical software for their BlackBerry Storm. Let me start by highlighting 3 of those:

• The first is Epocrates. Epocrates is a great free mobile drug and formulary reference. I've been using it for many years.
• Now, if you're willing to spend some money, then you could also use PEPID.
• Finally, QxMD is also free. Great for medical calculators.

There are obviously others and I'll be highlighting them in future posts.

Finally, don't forget about this special offer: Free Epocrates Rx PRO through BlackBerry

Top Search Engine Keywords Last Week

Over the last week, here are the top search engine keywords that people typed to reach this site:

1. medicine and technology
2. blackberry storm medical
3. joe kim blog
4. technology in medicine
5. free emr
6. technology and medicine

I'm not surprised to see that people are still looking into free EMR solutions and medical software for the BlackBerry Storm.

Top 10 Keywords in the Last 30 Days

Here are the top 10 keywords that are bringing people to my website through search engines:

1. medicine and technology
2. joe kim
3. joseph kim
4. jobs for mds without residency
5. blackberry storm medical applications
6. free emr
7. cchit 2009
8. medicine and technology joe kim
9. opera mini vs opera mobile
10. rivaroxaban fda

I guess people are still looking for a free EMR solution.

HTC Touch Diamond Now on Verizon Wireless

The HTC Touch Pro has been available through Verizon Wireless for a while now. Well, they're moving backwards and they're now offering the HTC Touch Diamond (the slim version without the slideout keyboard). It still has TouchFLO™ 3D, so it's touch-friendly and it looks like a great phone for medical students, residents, and physicians who want something small, thin, and light. It's a shame that Verizon Wireless doesn't offer the Apple iPhone, but I suppose this allows other companies like HTC and RIM to market phones like the Touch Diamond and the BlackBerry Storm.

BlackBerry Storm and Medical Applications

It really is a shame. I've not seen many medical applications for the BlackBerry Storm. The iPhone has a growing number of medical applications that are currently available, but the paucity of apps for the BlackBerry Storm is truly sad. Having Epocrates just isn't enough. I suppose the folks at RIM weren't thinking about medical students and residents when they released the Storm.

The developers and marketers at Apple have the right idea - focus on education by creating the iTunes U (the U stands for University) and get students and professionals to use their iPhone or iPod touch to learn or to engage in continuing education. This is the right way to apply technology, innovation, and education to improve healthcare.

Windows Mobile 6.5: Touch Input

According to the folks over at Brighthand, Windows Mobile 6.5 is official. However, it may be a while before you see it out there (unless you happen to know some people at Microsoft). Of course, developers have been working on leaked ROMs that are based on Windows Mobile 6.5.

Smartphones are transitioning to finger-only input. The phones that are "business" or "professional" still have a hardware keyboard with physical buttons. But the vast majority of other phones running Windows Mobile are relying on screen-based touch input.

We've seen this phenomenon burst with the iPhone. Now we have the BlackBerry Storm. On the side of Windows Mobile, we have Samsung with the Omnia and HTC with the Touch Diamond, Fuze, and Touch Pro (which is a slider with a keyboard). LG has the Incite.

So are you ready to transition to a phone that only has a touch screen? Can you live without a hardware keyboard? How will this impact your search for drugs when you're using Epocrates? What if you're typing an email or editing a contact?

People Love the BlackBerry Storm

If I weren't so devoted to Windows Mobile, I'd go out and get a BlackBerry Storm. If I weren't stuck on Verizon Wireless, I'd get an Apple iPhone. Currently, I use an XV6800.

Since the reality is that I'm on Verizon Wireless, I have a family plan, and almost all my friends use Verizon Wireless. So, I won't be playing with an iPhone anytime soon. (of course, I do have an iPod touch that has Wi-Fi, so I can still have fun).

Also, I am dependent on Windows Mobile for certain applications. However, this is slowly starting to change. I won't be surprised if I'm carrying around a BlackBerry in a few years. Especially since Epocrates now runs on the BlackBerry STORM, I may make that switch someday. I'm waiting for the BlackBerry that has a touch screen and a hardware keyboard.

Traffic Update

Search engine traffic represents over 60% of the traffic coming to this site. I suppose that's a good thing, but the types of keywords that are leading to this site are quite varied. For instance, who would have thought that these words would be some of the top keywords for my blog?

swallow syncope, rivaroxaban, BlackBerry, epocrates, BlackBerry Storm, free emr, blackberry storm medical applications, opera mini vs opera mobile, opera mobile vs opera mini, md mph jobs, mba and mph jobs for doctors, non clinical careers for physicians, how much traffic does a site get, samsung umpc windows 7, and more. Talk about a totally random set of keywords.

If you stumbled on this site by typing a keyword, I'd be curious to know what you were searching for.

Epocrates now compatible with the BlackBerry STORM

Here's the inside scoop: Epocrates software is now compatible with the BlackBerry STORM. Do you have one? Are you on Verizon?

Have you heard of the leaked ROM OS 4.7.0.90 that now allows you to use the full keyboard in portrait mode? Well, I don't know how about the reliability of a "leaked" ROM, but if you're feeling adventurous, then you may want to give it a try.

Typing on the BlackBerry STORM

Typing on the BlackBerry STORM can be quite difficult if you have long fingernails. I try to keep mine relatively short, so it's not a problem that I usually encounter. However, if you like to keep your nails on the long side, then you may want to go with a device that has a hardware keyboard.

Remember, the STORM doesn't have a passive touch screen like the Palm Treo. Instead, it relies on capacitive touch like the iPhone. You can't use a plastic pen or any other passive stylus on the STORM. This is important because many people think that a "touch screen" = "touch screen." However, there are several differences between passive touch screens and capacitive touch screens.

Well, enough about screens. The STORM is fast and has a great browser. I still have my XV6800 (HTC), but I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a business phone on Verizon Wireless.

BlackBerry Storm Screen Clicks Like a Button

I am very impressed with the BlackBerry Storm. I had a chance to play with this device and the most innovative feature is the way the screen acts like a button. In other words, when you press on the screen, it actually clicks in like a keyboard button. You have to go and try it to really understand what I'm talking about.

Because the Storm uses capacitive touch, a plastic stylus pen won't work. Neither will your fingernail.

I found it innovative that you could hover with your finger over the screen when using the virtual keyboard, select the key you want, and then click down on the screen to select the key. It blends some of the Wacom hovering features found on an active digitizer with a smartphone touch screen.

I'm willing to bet that this idea of a clickable touch screen will become a standard feature on all future touchscreen devices that use capacitive touch.

Now I'm just waiting for Epocrates to release software for this great device.