Verizon SureResponse™ Mobile Personal Emergency Response System (MPERS)

There are a number of Mobile Personal Emergency Response System (MPERS) on the market today, but many of them are not water resistant. The most recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control found that two-thirds of all accidental injuries in the United States occurred in the tub or shower. Seniors and caregivers shouldn't have to worry about water limiting the ability to bring their MPERS with them.

The new Verizon SureResponse™ Mobile Personal Emergency Response System (MPERS) helps provide security and convenience. With a simple touch of a button, it places a call to a SureResponse Care Agent.

Worn as pendant around the neck, on the wrist like a watch, or clipped to a belt so it won’t get in the way of activities, the SureResponse features a call button to contact emergency personnel or family members without looking up contacts or reading a screen. Pressing the call button connects the wearer to a SureResponse Care Agent who is available 24 hours a day (with support in English or Spanish) and can direct their call to the right person for help.

If the wearer is away from home, SureResponse uses GPS to provide location services to agents and emergency response units easing concerns. It also offers the ability to store personal information online that can be used in emergency situations.

You can learn more about the Verizon SureResponse™ Mobile Personal Emergency Response System (MPERS) here.

Data Security and Interoperability Are Key to Transforming U.S. Health Care System #HIMSS11

‘Simple, Common-Sense Approach’ to Data Security and Interoperability Are Key to Transforming U.S. Health Care System, Verizon Executive Says

Dr. Peter Tippett, in Address at HIMSS 2011, Cites Four Areas That Need to Be Addressed to Enhance Care and Control Costs

ORLANDO, Fla. – The lack of common interoperability standards and inconsistent approaches to security, privacy and trust are perpetuating an antiquated U.S. health care delivery system that has been largely unable to benefit from the widespread adoption of IT, according to Verizon’s top security and health care executive.

The executive, Dr. Peter Tippett, vice president of security and industry solutions for Verizon, called for the development of “simple, common-sense approaches to data security and interoperability” to help expand access to quality care, control costs and improve patient outcomes. He spoke Tuesday (Feb. 22) at the Health Information Management Systems Society annual conference.

Verizon Health Information Exchange on the "cloud"

A few weeks ago, Verizon unveiled a 'Cloud' Solution to Facilitate Sharing of Patient Information Among Health Care Providers. Here are a few snippets from the press release:

One of the biggest obstacles to sharing patient information electronically is that health care systems and providers use a wide range of incompatible IT platforms and software to create and store data in various formats.  A new service - the Verizon Health Information Exchange - will soon be available via the "cloud" to address this challenge.

The Verizon Health Information Exchange, one of the first services of its kind in the U.S., will consolidate clinical patient data from providers and translate it into a standardized format that can be securely accessed over the Web.  Participating exchange providers across communities, states and regions will be able to request patient data via a secure online portal, regardless of the IT systems and specific protocols the providers use.  This will enable providers to obtain a more complete view of a patient's health history, no matter where the data is stored.

Having more information at their fingertips will help providers reduce medical errors and duplicative testing, control administrative costs and, ultimately, enhance patient safety and treatment outcomes.  Since the monthly charges are based on a provider's patient-record volume, the service is economical.

You can learn more about the Verizon Health Information Exchange by visiting the heatlhcare section of the Verizon Business Solutions website here.

Upgrade Your Treo 700wx to Windows Mobile 6.1

You may have heard that some developers have gotten their hands on Windows Mobile 6.1 for the Palm Treo 700wx. If you want to learn more, then take a look at this forum on XDA-Developers:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=397134

Flashing a phone's ROM is not for beginners. This is true especially when you're loading a custom ROM. If you make a mistake, then your phone may turn into a permanent brick that you can use as a paperweight. I always advise people to ask for assistance or to hand the phone over to an expert who can do the flashing correctly.

In my opinion, there are significant advantages to running Windows Mobile 6.1 over Windows Mobile 6.0. That change from ".0" to ".1" at the end of 6 makes a big difference. Now we have Windows Mobile 6.5 but that's not available for the Treo (at least not now). Not sure about the version differences? Take a look at this chart that provides an overview of Windows Mobile 5.0, 6.0, and 6.1:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/meet/version-compare.mspx

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.

The BlackBerry Storm 2 will have Wi-Fi

Yes, the rumors seem to be true. There will be a newer version of the BlackBerry Storm that will have Wi-Fi. Why the big deal? Because most hospitals have Wi-Fi and you won't be relying on a slow data plan to access the Internet. Also, what if you could use Skype or some other Voice Over IP (VoIP) solution to make free calls? Do you think Verizon will allow that? If so, sounds like some great perks for medical students and residents. So what other cool new features will the updated Storm include?

Verizon 3G Network Problems

I've still been having some intermittent 3G connection problems with Verizon Wireless. I hope they've made all their upgrades by now. Maybe it's my phone. I wonder how often people have problems on other carriers like Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, and others. Overall, I've been happy with Verizon Wireless, but these recent network outages have been very frustrating.

Verizon System Updates = Network Problems

I've been told that Verizon Wireless is currently performing some system updates to their 3G wireless network. Earlier today, I was getting the dreaded Error Code: 11 & PPP Connection Issues. I hope Verizon is quick to implement these updates so that I can get back online!

When is Windows Mobile 6.5 Coming to Verizon?

We've all been hearing about the nice new features on Windows Mobile 6.5. Isn't it funny how Microsoft went from version 6, to 6.1, and now to 6.5? Will there be a 6.8 or 6.9 before version 7 gets released? Why such incremental changes?

For me, the biggest advantage of Windows Mobile 6.5 is the new Pocket Internet Explorer 6.5. I currently have a nice version of PIE because of the custom ROM loaded on my XV6800. However, it's not as nice as PIE 6.5 and I don't think my XV6800 could handle PIE 6.5 because the hardware just isn't robust enough for those requirements. It's a shame because these little devices have such incredible potential. They are considered mobile internet devices (MIDs) by many, but they don't really have the firepower as other dedicated MIDs.

Nokia 6205 Dark Knight

The Nokia 6205 Dark Night on Verizon Wireless is a really nice free phone for Verizon Wireless customers. I just got 2 of them for the members of my family plan. The "New Every Two" option that Verizon offers allows you to upgrade to a free phone if you've been a long-time loyal customer (like me).

A few years ago, I got a few of the Motorola Razr for free and that was a nice free phone for its time. The Nokia 6205 is a fine free phone for 2009. I'm very impressed by the slim profile, the EV-DO speeds, the micro SD slot, and the universal micro USB connector. Plus, it's capable of Verizon Wireless Broadband Connect (which means you can tether it to your laptop and use it as a wireless modem).

EV-DO Apple iPhone Coming to Verizon Wireless?

There are many circulating rumors about an EV-DO Apple iPhone for Verizon Wireless. I know that the original plan was for the iPhone to be exclusively sold under the AT&T mobile service, but plans can change (or can they?). I think it would be truly exciting to see the iPhone on Verizon. I know many people who have recently gotten either a BlackBerry Storm or a Samsung Omnia. They'd probably switch to the iPhone in a heartbeat.

Getting the aGPS to work on the XV6800 MR2

The release of MR1 and MR2 for the Verizon XV6800 has complicated things quite significantly. I had to install an older Verizon ROM, then update the bootloader, then install the new radio ROM, then install the new device ROM. Once you do that, then you need to run QPST and change a few settings to enable the aGPS.

Verizon Wireless 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution)

Verizon Wireless is working on 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution). Is it possible we'll start seeing some phones with 4G capability next year? Download speeds of 50 megabits per second!

Defective keyboard on my XV6800

I've recently discovered that my refurbished replacement XV6800 sent by Verizon Wireless has a severely defective keyboard. Not only do certain keys repeat themselves when I press them once. The "B" button does not work. The #7 is also on that button. Hence, I am crippled with a defective keyboard and I have to pull up the on-screen keyboard when I want to type either "B" or "7." Come on Verizon! Send me a working replacement please!

Installing Custom ROM All Over Again to Enable the GPS

I wasn't planning on this, but the 4-way navigation buttons on my XV6800 have failed. Therefore, it's time to go through the circus again and install a new BootLoader, a new radio ROM, and a new custom ROM so that I can use the internal GPS that's disabled by Verizon Wireless.

I'm debating whether I should attempt to install the beta version of Windows Mobile 6.5. I don't have the luxury of spending too much time on this. I mainly need a dependable working phone. I tether and I use the aGPS (assisted GPS) for driving. The aGPS allows for super-fast satellite acquisition.

Pay per KB on Verizon Wireless Still Available on the XV6800

If you're lucky enough to have the XV6800 on Verizon Wireless, you can still avoid the "mandatory" data plan. So, does that mean that these types of smartphones will be in higher demand by those who don't want to pay for a data plan?

Data plan now required with verizon wireless

If you're on Verizon Wireless and you want to get a new smartphone (or PDA phone if you will), you MUST get a data plan. This policy started last September. Why?

I'm so disappointed by this. My wife has been using a Treo for a while now (without a data plan) and now she needs a replacement smartphone. She doesn't need a data plan, but now she's forced to get one if she wants to keep a smartphone. Doesn't sound right, does it?

What's going on Verizon? At least offer the pay per KB plan for all smartphones and BlackBerry devices. That's the least you can do for all those users who don't need a data plan but want to combine a phone and a PDA.

Going Back to the Stock Verizon ROM for the XV6800

I need to install the stock Verizon ROM on my XV6800. I've been using a custom ROM that allows me to use the built-in GPS and it's been great. But, it's time for me to go through the steps of installing the original ROM. Can you guess why?

If Verizon hadn't disabled the built-in GPS, then I wouldn't have gone through all the trouble. Now, I have to go through all these complicated steps at the risk of turning my phone into a nice paperweight brick.

Thank goodness for the HTC Titan wiki. The first step is the BootLoader. I've already done that using a microSD card. Now, I need to go through and replace the phone ROM and the radio ROM. Verizon now has both an MR1 and an MR2 ROM update listed on their website so you can get Windows Mobile 6.1 and RevA speeds.

Thankfully, all the newer Verizon phones don't come crippled with disabled GPS chips.