Alexa is a terrible doctor
/We become accustomed to technology so quickly, it’s easy to forget that Amazon’s Alexa was a pioneer just six years ago.
Read MoreHow to Find Google's New Built-In Breathing Exercise
/The TechWatch editors have selected this news item because it is analogous to our LiveWell development project BreatheWell Wear. We hope you can try out both BreatheWell Wear and Google's web-based breathing exercise.
Read MoreThe Eye Doctor Who Could Not See the Stars
/For many years, Dr Andrew Bastawrous could not see clearly enough to spot the leaves on trees or the stars in the sky.
Xbox Adaptive Controller to Improve the Gaming Experience for People with Disabilities
/This September, Xbox will release a new video game controller that has been developed intentionally for people with limited mobility. For those with physical impairments, the standard controllers that come with an Xbox can be impossible to use. Because of this, Xbox has designed a controller that includes ports for a multitude of other devices such as switches, specially made joy sticks, and foot controllers. They advertise that the adaptive controller will include “"Nineteen 3.5mm ports and two USB 2.0 ports for external inputs. One 3.5mm stereo headset jack for audio." Xbox is also selling other accessories such as wheelchair mounts and leg mounts.
Read MoreCongressional Record Announcement regarding the NIDILRR 40th Anniversary
/Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, on behalf of millions of people with disabilities, today I wish to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, NIDILRR, and its 40 years of accomplishments and contributions to the lives of people with disabilities.
Read MoreXbox: Accessible games can “mean the difference between existing and living” for disabled people
/Microsoft continues to position itself as a paragon for inclusivity - but it's also keen to get more developers, publishers and platform holders involved in the conversation.
The firm gained a great deal of attention earlier this summer when it announced the Xbox Adaptive Controller, a device that enabled disabled gamers to adapt standard control schemes with a variety of custom inputs suited to their unique circumstances.
Read MoreFirefox makers working on voice-controlled web browser called Scout
/Mozilla, the organization behind Firefox, is exploring a very different web browser called Scout that's operated by voice rather than keyboard, mouse or touch-screen taps.
The nonprofit revealed the Scout project in an agenda item for an all-hands meeting taking place this week in San Francisco. "With the Scout app, we start to explore browsing and consuming content with voice,"
Read MoreHome, smart home: Internet of Things and AI will make where we live more accessible
/Independence. For people with disabilities and the aging population, it’s more than a word—it’s a catalyst for fulfillment and dignity. Home is where that independence and quality of life can be realized. The aging population wants to safely live in their own homes as long as possible. People with disabilities want a home designed for their specific needs. Ultimately, a more accessible home will help people feel connected and valued, and reduce loneliness.
Read MoreApple finally moves beyond the shadow of Steve Jobs with a truly life-changing product
/Some industry watchers believed that Apple couldn't move out of the shadow of Steve Jobs and carve out for itself a new and different direction. Yesterday, under the leadership of Tim Cook, Apple proved them wrong.
Amazon Echo Dot, Basics Microwave, Echo Sub: Everything Amazon just announced
/A redesigned Echo Dot, a smart microwave and a subwoofer are just some of the new things Amazon unveiled at its September event.
Read MorePresidential alert canceled: Cell phone text test pushed back to Oct. 3
/The first test of the presidential alert system, originally planned for today, has been postponed.
Apple, Microsoft and Google join forces to create a universal standard for braille displays→
/A substantial move for technology accessibility was made today as the non-profit USB Implementer Forum (USB-IF) announced a new standard for braille displays – underpinned by an agreement between major tech companies including Apple, Google and Microsoft. The standard will make it much easier to use braille displays across different devices
Read MoreUS Senate Ratifies Marrakesh Treaty
/The US Senate voted unanimously to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty, also passing necessary changes to US copyright law that are required to implement the treaty.
Read MoreFox Foundation to Use mHealth Wearables in Parkinson’s Research
/The Michael J. Fox Foundation is partnering with Verily on an mHealth program that will use the Verily Study Watch to collect data from more than 800 people living with Parkinson's.
Read MoreWhen medical devices get hacked, hospitals often don't know it
/The threat to medical devices is real and happening now – and it’s a patient safety issue, much more than one of HIPAA compliance.
Read MoreGroup warns against using consumer devices to diagnose, treat sleep disorders
/Consumer sleep technologies, such as wearables and mobile apps, must be cleared by the Food and Drug Administration and rigorously tested if they are going to be used to diagnose or treat sleep disorders, contends the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Read MoremHealth Games Offer a ‘Fun’ Way to Boost Patient Engagement
/Healthcare has been slow to embrace mHealth games and gaming technology, but advocates say they could score big successes in patient engagement, education and even clinical outcomes.
Read MoreUsing Telehealth, mHealth Technology to Help Seniors Age in Place
/From mHealth apps to telehealth platforms to sensor-embedded smart homes, connected care technology is helping America's growing ranks of seniors stay healthy and active.
Read MorePatents hold clues about Apple, Amazon, Google and Microsoft plans for healthcare
/A brief look at what hospitals should know about the many hundreds of patents tech giants have filed relative to health IT.
Read MoreCMS Embraces mHealth With Reimbursement for Smartphone CGM Links
/In a ruling announced this week, CMS will reimburse through Medicare for CGM platforms that enable diabetic patients to share data through a smartphone with their care providers.
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