Remote monitoring improves care for cancer patients
Cancer patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering (New York City) whose health symptoms were monitored remotely each day showed an unplanned hospital visit rate approximately 2/3 less than those not monitored. Unplanned admissions between scheduled hospital cancer treatments account for 48% of the costs of cancer treatments. Daily management of patients enabled them to receive, in most cases, care without admissions. HBR
dis-rup-shun: The healthcare world is full of indications that certain technologies improve care, but not enough clinical bodies of evidence that statistically confirm the results. As a result, the healthcare industry lags other industries in the deployment of connected technologies. The rising costs of care, especially hospital admissions, require increased use of remote care. In two to three years, large care providers will be deploying remote care solutions, pushing the industry to more efficient operations.
BMW demonstrates gesture control
BMW has offered gesture controls in cars for several years, but new enhancements in the 850iL prove highly reliable and easy to learn. With hand motions, like rotating one’s index finger, the sound volume can be turned up or down. Gesture control further reduces the need to find and depress a button. Gesture can be an alternative to larger touch screens which may require more, rather than less, focus on locating the correct control on the screen. TechCrunch
dis-rup-shun: New interfaces in cars include larger touchscreens, voice control, and now gestures. In car technology is a significant differentiator, as consumers love technology that improves the in-car experience. Better, easier controls increase safety and lower production costs, however the driving experience continues to be significantly different from manufacturer to manufacturer. New innovations continue to make it difficult for car renters and borrowers to easily know where all the controls are in unfamiliar models.
The pros and cons of Google’s acquisition of Fitbit
Wired ponders the pros and cons of Google’s acquisition of Fitbit. On the positive side, the same intelligence that tells you which route to take to get to an appointment and how long it will take can make smart suggestions about how to reach certain fitness goals. On the downside, Google could use the data that it has committed not to sell to cross-sell other Google products and services, fatiguing users with promotions of products we don’t want (remember Google +).
dis-rup-shun: The majority of tech users today are mostly willing to trade personal data for beneficial services. What is lacking is constant assurances that our data is safe and has not been compromised. Apple has taken the lead in establishing its public image as “the privacy company.” Google will quickly follow suit and try to prevent Apple from gaining this higher ground without company. Facebook is too busy testifying to Congress to improve its tarnished privacy reputation.
IOTc, the Internet of Things Consortium launches summit
The Internet of Things Consortium launches IOTc Next, The Connected Futures Summit. The event takes place in New York City’s TimesCenter on November 12th.
dis-rup-shun: Readers of dis-rup-shun.com are entitled to event discounts. The one day event features a wide variety of IOT topics and speakers. The agenda topics include: financing IOT projects, user interfaces, media organizations in a connected world, marketing how-to’s, seeing the future, IOT and mobility, smart homes, connected health and wellness, securing devices and networks, connected retail, smart cities, and the ethics of IOT. 7 days to register.
Nest WiFi a top performer
Nest has joined the ranks of companies selling mesh network WiFi extenders for the home. Nest’s extenders double as smart speakers and come in colors to match decor. CNET
dis-rup-shun: Big Tech is anxious to create new product categories, especially ones that Apple does not already dominate. Why device makers have waited 5 years to solve the common problem of weak WiFi reception in certain parts of the home is a puzzle, but having a coordinated, fashion forward device that makes me quit cussing my WiFi is a great value.