Using the Messages App on the Mac

Chris Breen has a new posting about using Messaging on the Mac at http://www.macworld.com/article/2038838/getting-started-with-messages.html?page=2 

The article made me aware of features like Facetime, sharing files, and Bonjour/Google Talk that I have not used.  I have used messaging only for text messages.  If you have a Mac, consider reading the article.  You may find some new features, too.

iOS Tricks

MacWorld has a very good article, 33 Expert Tips and Tricks for the iOS 6 at http://www.macworld.com/article/2027220/33-expert-tips-and-tricks-for-ios-6.html

I had not considered having text messaging to "speak" to me with emoji icons.  I played a message from my husband and heard Siri say "western person, sporty vehicle, office building."  Too funny!

There were several useful tricks - some already discussed in this blog.  One interesting one was about the ability to take still photos while shooting video.  I you are using the iOS 6, take a moment to read Dan and Lex's article. 

Text Messaging with Pictures

I read an online article, Panda, Gun, Gift: Why Emojis are Everywhere, at http://www.hlntv.com/article/2013/01/24/emojis-taking-over-why-now-iphone-ios.  Had to smile when reading it because I use emoji images all the time when texting to someone who also has an iPhone or iPad.  In fact, my husband uses emojis almost exclusively to tell me that he has arrived at his office or on the way home.

He did confuse me one time when he was flying on a business trip.  The text message showed a jet icon and 3 mice.  I interpreted the message to indicate that there were mice on the plane!  He laughed and told me he meant to tell me that the plane had landed in Orlando, Florida where Disney World and the Mickey Mouse family are located.

If you have an iPhone or iPad, are you using emoji?  If not, try it because it is FUN! Emoji is a keyboard.  Go to Settings > General > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard... > Emoji.

After you have activated the keyboard, you will see a world icon on the bottom left corner of the keyboard you use to write text messages.  Click on it to find the pictures you want to use in your message. The most commonly used one will appear on the icon that looks like a clock face to the right of the world icon.

Smile, text away, and enjoy!

Pinger - Free Texting and Calling App

One of my students traveled in Europe this past summer and shared an app she used to communicate with friends and family in the United States - Pinger (http://www.pinger.com/).  Needless to say I downloaded it to use when we go to Italy in a few months.  Pinger allows for free text messaging using WiFi (vs cellular services) in 35 countries.  It works just like text messaging on a smartphone.  I had my husband download it so that we could give it a trial run.  Right now it is available for the iPhone, but it looks like there is a beta version available for the Android devices. 

Information on the website indicates that you can also use it to call landline phones.  I am looking forward to using the app and learning more.

Text Messaging Using Mobile at CDC

CDC has entered the mobile text messaging world.  The site is Mobile at CDC.  Using CDC Mobile:

• Enter your cell phone number (after agreeing to terms of use)
• Respond to the text message on the cell phone - which asks 4 questions
• Your role (e.g. healthcare provider)
• Age range
• Gender
• Zip code
• According to the website, CDC will send 3-4 messages/week

New mHealth Initiative Provides Guidelines for Textmessaging in Healthcare

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) and Security Mobile Device Good Practices Project have launched a mHealth Initiative.  According to the Health and Human Services (HHS) website "... HHS’s desire to strategically encourage and/or develop future health text messaging and mobile health programs, HHS formed Text4Health Task Force to provide recommendations to the Secretary. In addition to providing recommendations and guiding principles, the Task Force was charged with identifying both ongoing initiatives and proposals for feasible new projects which would deliver health information and resources to users' fingertips via their mobile phones.

You can read more about the initiative on the HHS mHealth website.  There are recommendations for the use of health text messaging, too.  This perfect timing since Dr. W and the staff at the CC Clinic are exploring the use of text messaging to improve patient compliance for the Intensive Behavior Therapy for Obesity study.