The iOS compatible iBGStar meter has arrived

Sanofi-aventis has been out in front in terms of their connection with the diabetes online community for some time now. From the DiabetesMine Design Challenge to their human presence on twitter, Sanofi is continually showing us that they are committed to being a positive part of the community.

Today with the announcement of the iBGStar blood glucose meter they've brought the first iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch compatible meter to market. Is that exciting? Damn right it is but not completely for the reasons that you may think.

I haven't used or touched the iBGStar yet so I can't tell you the first thing about how well it works but I do know two things; I believe that Sanofi is committed to helping the DOC and they would be foolish to introduce this meter before it was ready for prime time. I expect that when I do have the chance to see the meter in person, I'll be impressed.

So if I haven't used it... why I'm I writing about it?

Simple... What Sanofi has done today is bigger then a meter, what they've done is throw down the gauntlet. Much like when Apple first introduced the iPhone, the release of this product says, "no more clunky technology that looks like it's from a 1976 sci-fi movie". Prior to the iPhone our cell phones were terrible and why were they? Because the companies that manufactured them had no reason to do anything about it. We were all using our flip phones and no one was complaining. That of course didn't mean that it wasn't possible to make something better, just that it didn't make sense for the companies to put the time, money or effort into making them better. That business model worked just fine and would still be in use today if Apple didn't raise the bar.

In my mind that's what Sanofi did today, they raised the bar. In the short-term that means there is a new meter on the market that fits better into our new iPhone lives. In the long-term, well, that's where we all benefit. I'd bet that right now there are meetings going on at every device manufacturer in the country and they are all wondering what they need to do to keep up... and that's great news for all of us that live with diabetes.

If you want to read a hands-on account of the iBGStar, there are probably plenty but I'd start with Allison's over at DiabetesMine. When you finish reading her write up you'll see the names of some other great D-bloggers that were at a launch event yesterday and I bet they will have their thoughts online very soon.

If you think back to what the first smartphone looked like or even consider how much the iPhone has changed since it's launch, then you'll be as excited as I am to wonder what blood glucose testing will look like in just a few years. It's my contention that none of these advancements happen until someone goes first. So for that alone... I say, "thank you" Sanofi!

America's Got Talent but no phones

Follow Arden's Day on Instagram @ardensday

Even before type I diabetes we didn't go out very often without our kids. Since type I, well, we do it less. That fact takes it's toll on a lot of aspects of our lives. Please don't misunderstand, we love having Cole and Arden with us but sometimes a person needs a break. Yesterday was our break. Kelly and I went to New York to see an 'America's Got Talent' taping. Kelly is a big fan of the show and I was very interested to get a sneak peak at how Howard Stern would be as a judge. The tickets said that the taping would run from noon to four or five. Arden doesn't get home from school until four. We needed a babysitter...

We only have two D-babysitters...

They were both busy...

We talked about not going.

I was really motivated to find a sitter because Kelly has been working so hard for so long and I really wanted to see her get this break. I did something next that I've never done before, I dropped D-proficient from my babysitter qualification list deciding that I could manage the diabetes on my own remotely if the person on the other end of the phone was focused, confident and understood the gravity of the situation. We have a lot of good friends and know many people that fit that description. Jen answered the call and our plans were back on.

The directions from 'America's Got Talent' said no phones would be allowed in the theater. I (hopefully) thought that they were just trying to persuade folks to leave their phones at home. Within moments of arriving at the Hammerstein Ballroom I heard the first production assistant announce that, "cameras and phones will be checked... no one will be allowed to bring a camera or phone into the taping". I completely understand that they don't want videos popping up on YouTube but I didn't have any designs on such things, I just needed to be able to text with our babysitter. "What to do now" was the question that I asked myself as we stood in line. If I ask politely, they may say no and then I'm cooked... I'd have to summon up my inner teenager, luckily he hasn't gone too far. So for the next hour or so I stood in that line with my iPhone jammed into the side of my left shoe.

I was almost home free when I realized that there may be a metal detector inside. My fear was soon realized as our friends went through the door, Paul turned around and mouthed to me, "wand", they were using a hand-held metal detector, I was about to get caught. Just as I was practicing my speech that was meant to let me keep my phone, the security guard put his arm out and stopped Kelly and I. "Hold on", he said and then directed us to the secondary entrance... the entrance with no wand!

The taping was great fun and I think that anyone who watches 'America's Got Talent' and only knows Howard Stern by reputation will be very happy with how he judges the show. We had a great time and much to our pleasure, never needed my phone. The taping ended exactly five minutes before Arden would get off her bus. I was able to manage her diabetes by phone and text without issue as we drove home. Our sitter (Thanks Jen!) said that Arden seemed very confident with her OmniPod PDM and that our son Cole was extremely helpful as well. 

I think that yesterday was the beginning of the next step for us... More and more of Arden's management will be transferring to her in the coming years. It's an exciting and slightly nervous feeling, but a very good one.

Steve Jobs, Apple founder, has died

It isn't often that the world sees a human being whose thoughts effect so many. I believe that the ideas Mr. Jobs brought to us will continue to spur innovation far beyond the years that he was on this earth. His loss will be felt by far more then those of us that use the technology that he pioneered. Rest in peace Steve, your too short life was a gift to all.

We should all hope that we do just one thing in our lifetime that touches so many, that does so much to advance humanity.

The video below is Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address and is very worth watching... Thanks to Adam for turning me on to it!

iPhone 4 Initial thoughts

My phone arrived this morning (via FedEx) while I was in the shower, I say that to remind you all to presign and leave the form on your front door so you won’t miss your phone’s arrival.

Activation

I backed up my 3G phone and then began the activation process which took just a few (less then 5) minutes and was flawless.  I did a restore from that backup and was up and running in about 15 minutes. Everything was smooth.

First impression

I’m so impressed that Apple has redesigned the iPhone so much over the past few years yet it’s very reminiscent of the original... but at the same time, it’s completely different and improved.  It feels great in my hand and looks like a million bucks.

Display

As advertised the display is amazing, crisp and vibrant in a way that I hadn’t anticipated.  

Camera

The camera is a major upgrade, the HD video is impressive and the stills are superb.  I’m not a super technophile about these things so take my thoughts based on that.  My impression is that you’ll be very happy with the camera. Here are my samples.

It’s faster

Apps respond faster then on my 3GS even on the apps that I’d experienced lag with in the past. Navigating the UI is quick.

Battery

The phone arrived charged and after 9 hours of use the battery reads 80%.  I took pictures, video, uploaded things to MobileMe, talked on the phone and used a lot of continuous iPod play.

Other Stuff

I’ve already uploaded a number of things to my MobileMe gallery and the integration is seamless. 

iBooks is more responsive on the iPhone4 then on 3GS

I’m going to go play with my new iPhone some more... back later...

FaceTime - I don’t have anyone to FT with yet but I can tell you this much... I’m way more aware of my double chin today then I was yesterday.

iPhone4

Today we aren’t going to talk about diabetes, at least not directly.  Today we talk about my new iPhone4 which I was lucky enough to receive a day early (thanks Apple!).  

I’ll be posting pictures and video from my new iPhone as well as my thoughts and reactions to the phone.  What do I want in return, nothing.  However, if you find yourself really enjoying my posts and want to say thank you, I can’t think of a better way then by making a tax deductible donation to my daughter Arden’s 2010 JDRF Walk to find a cure for her type I diabetes at this link - Arden walks for @JDRFEasternPA

I’ll be updating here, on Twitter with my Arden’s Day account @ArdensDay and on the MacRumors forum

To make this experiment a total Apple experience I’ll be hosting all of the pictures and videos on my MobileMe Gallery - http://gallery.me.com/skca/100928

Please use the “Email Me” button below to be added to Arden’s email list. Special thanks to Arden’s brother Cole for helping with the motion videos.

UPDATE: My initial thoughts on the phone are here