tenminusone

After a trip to the FedEx depo to pick up my iPhone, which arrived earlier than expected, backing up my iPhone 3GS, and syncing all my previous information onto the new iPhone 4, I got a few hours to do a “test-drive” and write up a quick note before hitting the sack. Here are my initial impressions after less than 3 hours with the phone:

• The Screen: Wow. Truly crisp. At about a 1 to 1.5 ft away from my face, I can not see any pixels. It’s crisp and reading text on the iPhone is a much better experience given the new clarity. If they throw this resolution (retina) on an iPad, not only will it be more marketable as an e-reader, but the applications (e.g., medical) will be great (see below).
• Form Factor: Having had the last two iPhones and each one of the iPod models, I have to say that the iPhone 4 feels the most industrial and “sturdy,” which is a tad ironic given that it has glass on both sides. This model feels much for utilitarian than its predecessor. That is, it feels more “grown up” and a bit more like “tool-like” than the other models. The phone is noticeably lighter and even though it’s thinner and lighter, it feels better in the hand and at the ear.
• Camera: Way faster and sharper. Virtually no lag time between shots. Video is crisper. Watching the video on my TV will be the true test.
• Front Facing Camera: Although I haven’t used Face Time yet (anyone out there with an iPhone 4, give me a call!), the quality of the front facing camera is decent and although it’s a rather simple addition, I think the applications are plenty and I’m very eager to see how developers utilize this new functionality (see below).
• Multi-tasking: Double click the home button and you see all your open programs, swipe left and you see the simple iPod controls. Simple. Fantastic. Apple.
• Miscellaneous: You can now lock the view to landscape or portrait. Nice animated transitions between programs. Making folders for apps is a breeze: drag and drop icons on top of eachother to make a folder…the iPhone even suggests a name for the folder (although you can customize it). You can now (finally) customize the background/wallpaper on the phone. Clearer sound from the built-in speakers (tested when having a call on speakerphone). Initializing the new phone via Apple/AT&T on iTunes couldn’t have been easier. Chalk one up for AT&T.
• Bummers: My reception has taken a major hit. It’s about half what it used to be (in terms of bars). Not sure if this is isolated or widespread (I haven’t read other initial reviews/perceptions yet).  Potential bummer: Glass on both sides. The strength of the glass has yet to be proven (keep an eye out for youtube videos). Edit: (Told you so): Video of iPhone Dropping and Shattering Glass (after quite a few attempts).

A couple (new) potential applications of the new iPhone 4 in healthcare come to mind after using it for a few hours:

• Screen: The resolution of the screen is ideal for viewing digital images (think Radiology and Pathology). The size of the screen on the iPhone 4 may be a significant limiting factor, but if Apple can get the retina display (or better) on the iPad, I expect to see a lot of Radiologists using them for reading digital film and other digital images (e.g., MRI, CT, etc.) once the apps are developed. Don’t think it will replace current workstations, but it may present a great mobile alternative.
  • Update: Thoughts on using the iPad in the clinical setting and a brief mention of how the resolution is not yet high enough for making clinical diagnoses (bring that Retina display to the iPad!). Especially like the idea of real-time collaborative data viewing/sharing amongst clinical teams. More from FierceMobile Healthcare.
• Front Facing Cameras: The implications for mobile health are many and the applications of this technology will grow when this capability is enabled on cell networks and more devices adopt this technology. Remote consults, assistance to community health workers in developing countries (identifying diseases, facilitating telemedicine), support groups and regular monitoring of individuals with chronic conditions (coupled with other technology like weight/heart rate/blood pressure measurement) could all be potential applications of the iPhone 4 or similarly configured technology. Currently, you’re either limited to the phone (without an image) or webcam, which means you’re tethered to a computer. This has the potential to make video conferencing much more practical and ubiquitous.
  • Update: More thinking along these lines: Post from iMedicalApps.com.

Overall, the iPhone 4 seems like a great upgrade. Looking forward to the new applications that take advantage of the phone’s new features.