| Skyscape Titles Launch for the iPhone |
| Monday, November 17, 2008 |
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As I’ve said in the past I’d definitely be lost without my BlackBerry however since getting the iPhone 3G it is gaining a greater percentage of my attention. While there is still nothing that beats the blackberry for email the APP store has truly changed everything. It’s never been so easy to download, install and use applications on a phone before. The App store has, however, been a little lacking in medical references- that is until now. The long wait is over, and Skyscape has finally released its library for the iPhone/iTouch.
Skyscape has been working at break-neck speed this year to bring an incredible number of new platforms, products and functionality to the mobile healthcare community. I reviewed their BlackBerry software last year and it quickly became my favorite platform. Now I’m in love again-with their iPhone App and how easily their titles integrate into it. Last month I wrote about their basic APP that came loaded with numerous free programs.
Skyscape offers over 550 medical references spanning 35 specialties, from more than 45 major medical publishers. Their information covers a broad range of topics including drug guides & interaction checkers, disease information, diagnosis and treatment protocols, medical alerts, labs, clinical trials, formularies, coding, calculators, CME and more. It’s a bit like being a kid in a candy store. They even have a substantial collection on Alternative Medicine. I like the fact that you can browse inside each book before you purchase so see if it’s in a format you like and has information that is useful to you.
With the iPhone downloading is a pleasure. It’s easier to enter the long serial numbers and the touch interface makes the rest of installation a breeze as well. Everything works the way it does on the other platforms but the touch screen adds an element of ease and fun. When you start the application the main screen lists all your titles. Icons at the bottom let you negotiate through different aspects of the application. The universe icon allows you to browse and shop for titles. The STAT icon takes you to your MedAlerts. Tools is where you change your setting or enter serial codes to begin downloading programs and an update icon will check your resources to see if they need updating. If they do it automatically downloads and installs all necessary updates.
Smartlinking is alive and well on the iPhone platform. It is one of my favorite features of Skyscape products. It is an extremely powerful feature and one you should take advantage of. How does it work? Let’s say you are reading about cardiovascular disease in Harrisons and click the ‘link’ icon you can select any of your other titles to find relevant information. If you happen to chose a pharmacology text you will automatically be brought to all the cardiac medications available in that title. What a great way to pull different resources together not to mention a time saver!
So if you’ve got an iPhone or iTouch head on over to Skyscape and check out all they have to offer. If you have been avoiding the iPhone because you felt there weren’t enough medical resources that should no longer be a limiting factor.
Do you have an iPhone or iTouch? Have you downloaded the App from Skyscape? Let me know what you think!
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| Author Bio |
Nancy Tice
MD
Nancy Tice, MD, is a seasoned psychiatrist with more than 20 years of clinical experience. She has authored dozens of health and technology articles, and specializes in online medicine and patient education. |
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