In-Depth: Top 200 paid iPhone apps for medical professionals

By MobiHealthNews’ count there are currently more than 35,000 unique, health-related apps available in various app stores. That includes everything from fitness and diet tracking apps to clinical decision support apps for doctors. Within that group we estimate that about 10,000 apps available today are intended for use by medical professionals.

For a few years now Apple has shared a variety of “top” app lists that are generated via proprietary algorithms making it difficult to understand exactly how the company ranks apps — even when it does so with descriptors like “top grossing”. Top grossing since when? Apple’s AppStore includes two categories for health-related apps: Health & Fitness is one, which is mostly full of consumer and patient-facing apps. The other category, which we are focusing on in this in-depth, is the Medical category, which includes a large number of apps intended for use by medical professionals.

This week MobiHealthNews took a snapshot of two “top” app lists generated by Apple — Top Paid apps in the Medical category and Top Grossing apps in the Medical category. We went through and eliminated all consumer apps from the list and ended up with 200 medical professional apps, which we are using as our sample for this analysis.

In the pages to follow we have included brief descriptions of all 200 apps along with their names, sellers, price, and links to their AppStore pages.

For these two Apple lists an app either needs to charge users to download it, offer in-app purchases like upgrades, or both. There are more than two dozen apps on the top grossing medical apps list that are actually free to download, but have apparently managed to entice enough users to make in-app purchases to put them far ahead other apps that require payment to download upfront. For those medical professional apps on the top paid medical app list right now, the average price of the app is about $7.99. For those top grossing medical apps that are not initially free to download, the average price is much higher — about $24.99.

So, what kind of medical apps are making the most money right now — assuming we can make the assumption the top paid and top grossing apps according to Apple are largely ranked in correlation with their revenue generation? The 200 medical professional apps on the lists currently are almost exclusively content-focused apps that are either some kind of study aid for medical or nursing students or are some kind of app intended for healthcare providers to use at the point of care, including drug reference apps, medical calculators, and medical dictionaries. 

MobiHealthNews’ analysis of these 200 iPhone apps for medical professionals found that the majority of these top revenue generating apps are for use at the point of care — 143 out of 200 (72 percent). The remaining 57 medical professional apps (28 percent) are study guides and test prep apps for medical students. Within the top grossing apps list, 71 out of 107 (66 percent) were point of care medical reference apps of some kind, while the remainder were medical student apps. For paid apps 72 out of 93 apps on the list (77 percent) were point of care apps, and 23 percent were for students.

Given that there are now more than 10,000 apps competing for a spot on medical professionals’ smartphones, how did these 200 apps manage to win over their users? These are paid apps too — either requiring an upfront payment to download or in-app purchases to upgrade the app’s features.

One of the medical companies that has a number of apps featured on Apple’s top paid and grossing medical apps lists right now is Unbound Medicine.

“Unbound Medicine has really focused on product and ensuring we give the user an optimal experience,” VP of Marketing Brian Cairy told MobiHealthNews in an email. “When you have a quality product and you get some people using your product, word spreads quickly. Unbound has been providing point of need information since 1999 and we have really developed a loyal base.”

Cairy said that his company’s apps can beat out free or cheaper apps because Unbound’s apps are more reliable, easier to use, and kept up to date.

Like most healthcare technology companies, Unbound relies on a number of marketing channels to help spread the word about its offerings, including industry conferences like MLA (for the medical library audience), AAMC (for the medical education audience), and NLN (for nurses). Unbound also keeps up with its users via its Facebook page and Twitter feed.

Not surprisingly, more than anything Cairy chalks up his company’s multiple medical apps success stories to serving physicians well:

“I think the positive reviews we get in the app stores and the solid reputation we have built over time is the biggest factor,” he said. “Many of our customers have used us during their training, then transform into use as practicing physician and nurses.”

The smaller, Switzerland-based developer team behind the successful MedCalc apps would likely agree, but they decided not to do any paid marketing at all.

“We don’t do any marketing,” MedCalc creators Pascal Pfiffner and Mathias Tschopp told MobiHealthNews in an email. “While it might be different for games, we believe quality software sells itself, and that’s what we are trying to deliver. Virtually every medical professional needs a medical calculation tool, and many use one several times a day. This means that you need a tool that gets the job done quickly and reliably.”

The company does keep a Twitter feed going to share news about the app and to answer user’s questions as they come up, but it says it partakes in no other form of community building or marketing. While the MedCalc name may not be familiar to non-clinicians, the app has gained its growing user base over a 15-year period. The first version launched for the Palm platform.

“What certainly helps is that MedCalc is kind of a ‘household name’ in the field,” the founders said. “The first version of our app came out 15 years ago, during the Palm era, and we got many of our initial followers during this golden age.”

The current list of top paid and top grossing apps certainly includes a number of apps with names that have been around for many years, including Epocrates, Skyscape, DiagnosaurusRx and more.

While some of these more established medical content companies have managed to maintain a strong foothold well into the smartphone and tablet era, there are a number of up-and-comers who have managed to break out since the launch of the iPhone. Limmer Creative, founded in 2009, is one such small publishing company.

“Our products are test prep and educational apps primarily for the EMS and allied health markets,” CEO Stephanie Limmer told MobiHealthNews in an email. “Our products are to help prepare professionals to take their ACLS and PALS certifications as well as the National Registry Certification Exam for EMTs and paramedics.”

Like Unbound, Limmer has used a mix of marketing channels to drive adoption of its medical apps.

“Getting the word out has been through both traditional methods such as advertising in journals and attending conference trade shows and more modern methods like social media and [via] the bloggers in our markets,” she wrote. “We have found that word of mouth has been huge for us and, therefore, social media has been a huge asset.”

Limmer has worked with prominent bloggers to develop apps and some of those partnerships have helped to drive sales of apps more successfully than the apps they’ve promoted through advertising in journals and other more traditional channels. Limmer said that in addition to having solid content, successful medical app companies need to maintain good reputations and good customer service, because poor experiences with medical apps will travel fast online.

Finally, Limmer said that being included on various lists from healthcare organizations, blogs, and medical schools has helped drive interest and she expects an upcoming study at the Hennepin County Medical Center at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine that is using one of her company’s apps will also turn out to be a nontraditional channel for spreading the word about Limmer’s wares.

The next two pages are apps ranked by Apple as “Top Paid” apps in the Medical category and “Top Grossing” apps in the Medical category. These aren’t MobiHealthNews’ picks for top apps, this is based on Apple’s tracking of these apps’ success. MobiHealthNews edited these lists to remove apps that described themselves as intended for use by consumers or patients. Apple updates their lists fairly frequently so this should serve as a snapshot of successful app developers at this point in time.

Your iPhone Passcode May Not Be As Effective As You Think

Despite Apple's assurances that your phone's files are protected behind that four-digit passcode, one German security expert says a lost or stolen iPhone might not be as safe as the company suggests. Specifically, any hacker who manages to get his or her hands on your phone could pretty easily access your email attachments.

Andreas Kurtz, of independent security research firm NESO Labs, wrote about this iPhone security flaw in a blog post on April 23. He said he realized that email attachments within the iOS 7 Mobile.Mail app are not being protected the way Apple claims they are.

Apple has said for years that passcode-protected phones have an extra layer of security for emails and message attachments as well as third-party applications. If someone were to get ahold of your passcode-protected phone and managed to access the email attachment files on the device by plugging it into a computer, they should see only gibberish if they didn't enter the passcode to unlock the phone, according to Apple.

But Kurtz was able to restore an iPhone 4 with the latest versions of iOS (7.1 and 7.1.1), protect it with a passcode, and then access the iPhone's files simply by plugging the phone into a computer and using password-bypass software. Instead of the gibberish of encrypted files, he said he was able to access unencrypted email attachment files stored on the phone.

Kurtz was able to replicate this same process on an iPhone 5s and an iPad 2, both running iOS 7.0.4, and he found the problem was affecting POP, IMAP and ActiveSync email accounts.

CNN Money reports the problem might not affect newer devices, which don't allow computers to access raw files. Until hackers find a way to access that raw data via a computer, the phone's files -- including email attachments -- will be encrypted. Whether or not you can accesses these files, however, the security flaw is still present on all devices, per CNN Money.

Kurtz says in his blog post that Apple told him it is aware of the problem. According to CNN Money, Apple "plans to fix the issue in a future update."

9to5Mac notes that the security loophole could be a big issue for corporate and government users of iOS devices.

TidBITS, a blog covering Apple news, points out that this vulnerability is probably not an emergency for all iPhone users, since most civilian iOS users don't receive email attachments with highly sensitive information.

Alleged iPhone 6 dummy shows curvy screen

Is a curved screen in the works for the next iPhone?
Though you can make-your-own Apple iPhone 6 rumor, you can go a more traditional route and pay attention to noted leaker of Apple products, Sonny Dickson. He tweeted photos claiming to show mock-ups of the iPhone 6 with a new and notably curvaceous design.Dickson shared images of the purported front and back of an iPhone 6 dummy and, since rumors of the next Apple smartphone brandishing a curved screen have been floating around for some time, the leak is excitingly convincing. The curved screen in the photo is mostly notable thanks to a reflection of light seen on the left side, but the photo of the rear shows the new rounded design more prominently.

The purported iPhone 6 dummy appropriately looks like a rough draft.Sonny DicksonThe latest rumors lead us to believe there will be more than one iPhone released later this year, including a larger 5.5-inch model. The curved screen rumor piggybacks off of current smartphones rocking the fresh design and, with Apple's tendency to pack existing cutting-edge technology into their new devices and marketing them as breakthrough wonders, I wouldn't put it past them.

The leaked images of the iPhone 6 dummy look rough around the (curved) edges, but Dickson's reputation for truthy rumors precedes him, giving the speculation as much credibility as you can give a rumor. Do you think these photos are real? How do you feel about the next iPhone offering a curved screen? Let us know in the comments.

'Tappd' helps you find apps that you really need on your iPhone

A Melbourne based designer has developed an app that helps users discover new apps in case you get bored with your old apps on their iPhones.

Tappd helps you discover new apps from the one million apps on the Apple app store. The app lets users select topics of interest, such as books, finance or sports, and get recommendations from mobile app experts, friends and other users of that app.

There are over a million apps in the Google Play Store, Apple app store and Windows store and it becomes difficult for people to find what they are looking for. According to global information and measurement company Nielsen, people discover new apps through their friends and family's recommendations. However this is very difficult for new apps that are not so popular to surface.

The first time you run Tappd, you will be asked to select app categories based on your interest, and the app will then give recommendations based on your interests. Users will be able to view recommendations as they see which apps others are using. You can also leave a little mini review after you have used the app for others. The app has been launched for iOS for now and is expected to be launched on Android and Windows stores soon.

David Duncan, co-founder of Tappd said: "It changes the discovery process away from what's being downloaded the most to what friends, experts and people with the same interests are talking about right now. As many apps are now free, it's not about the price of the app, but the time you have to invest," he noted. "I don't want to invest a lot of time into an app and find out it's not right for me.

Apps social is another app that works the same way for Windows Phone and gives you recommendations from friends. Another web and Android app called Quixey lets you search for apps based on what they are trying to do. So searching for “book a flight” yields apps relating to your query. Quixey lists apps from Android, Windows, iOS and Blackberry apps.

Mimi Launches An iPhone App To Combat Hearing Loss

Mimi, a company launching today as part of TechCrunch’s Disrupt NY Startup Battlefield, plans to use the iPhone to help people with hearing loss.

I didn’t know much about the issue before discussing it with co-founders Philipp Skribanowitz and Pascal Werner, but they pointed me to a number of articles and studies about how widespread hearing loss has become, affecting an estimated 350 million people worldwide.

And four out of five of those affected in the United States don’t seek treatment. The reason, Skribanowitz argued, is that the process of getting tested and fitted for hearing aids is long and complicated, and then the devices themselves are expensive (usually costing thousands of dollars for each ear).

Mimi, on the other hand, is launching an iOS app that allows users to test their hearing using their existing earbuds. It can also simulate the experience of enhanced hearing, which should convince some users that it’s worth paying for treatment. And conversely, if your hearing is fine, the app can simulate hearing loss so you get some sense of what, say, your friends or family might be going through.

Skribanowitz let me try the app (it was pretty strange to interview him while Mimi was muffling my hearing), including a key feature that isn’t available in the current version — live hearing enhancement. In other words, users could potentially walk around with the app on and their iPhone would continuously enhance their hearing. However, that’s being left out for now because it would categorize Mimi as a medical aid, which comes with a lot of regulatory requirements. (That’s also why Mimi can’t describe the product as a “hearing aid”.)

The company will go through the government approval process eventually, Skribanowitz said, but it wants to get a basic version of the product onto the market first.

The app is based on technology developed by co-founder Nick Clark, who has a Ph.D. in electrical and electronic engineering from the University of Nottingham and was formerly a researcher at the University of Essex. In the product release, Clark said Mimi uses “digital signal processing to enhance the audio experience for the listener, and machine learning that utilises data from all of the places where Mimi’s technology is deployed.”

As one example of who might use Mimi, Skribanowitz pointed to his father who is unlikely to go in for a diagnosis and might be skeptical about paying for an aid. On the other side of the spectrum, he said hearing loss is increasing among younger people as well, and app-based testing system should appeal to them, too.

The app is free, but Mimi plans to charge a monthly fee for premium features like unlimited hearing enhancement. It will also sell hearing enhancement devices that use similar technology but don’t require you to keep your earbuds in at all times. (In that case the phone is used for setup and fine-tuning.) However, Skribanowitz emphasized that Mimi’s focus is on software, not hardware, meaning the company could also integrate its technology with other apps and devices.

During his Disrupt presentation, Skribanowitz said that whatever option customers choose, the cloud technology will allow them to “change the settings, whenever and wherever, while getting guidance from Mimi.”

2 iPhone 6 Builds with Massive & Power-Efficient Display Screens Confirmed for 2014 Release Date?

 It appears the iPhone will indeed sport a bigger screen from the previous builds as Apple reportedly confirmed its recent acquisition of a firm that specialises in energy-efficient LED display technology.



Micro-LED display producer LuxVue Technology has recently become part of Apple's growing family and the new portfolio addition, according to Tech Crunch, cost about $43 million.

However, the tech giant's specific plans for LuxVue remain a mystery as MacRumors noted on its report that Apple typically describes such development in the following manner: "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans."

But digging a bit, the newly-purchased firm is known for display screens that aren't power-hungry and fits in with the requirements set by Apple CEO Tim Cook - that his company will only seriously consider building iOS devices if the available technology will erase perceived optimal user experience.

LuxVue becoming an Apple division could be one of the key answers for the iPhone maker to go phablet on the 2014 sequel as the company will be able to put together large-screen wielding device that boasts of extended battery life, BGR said in a report.

In essence, contributions coming from LuxVue further eliminate the stumbling blocks for Apple to finally abandon its 4-inch screen that dates back to the iPhone 5 in 2012.

It is understood too that the same display panel improvement is applicable for both the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch editions. Recall that analysts led by Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities are forecasting the arrival of two premium iPhone models this year.

The smaller version will bump off the iPhone 5S while the larger make will be called the iPhone Air. The latter, according to a recent Kantar WorldPanel report, will headline Apple's 2014 financial results likely leading to no-less-than 60 million units of sale by the end of December in the same year.

The company, Kantar said, will haul in the big numbers as the first iOS phablet is seen to attract Android switchers in emerging markets like China, where Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 continues to hold sway among device users enamoured with giant-screen smartphones.

LuxVue's display expertise in the iPhone 6 also confirms Kuo's earlier assertion that while the upcoming device will get bumped up screen, the battery will deliver more power juice than ever before.

It is claimed as well that the iPhone 5S sequel will be slimmer, lighter but more powerful with the tandem of a 64-bit A8 chip and iOS 8 bringing the device into life.

Two iPhone 6 release dates are slated this 2014, according to analysts, as the 4.7-inch build is supposed to come out in September while the 5.5-inch model is rumoured for a December debut at the earliest.

Star Wars: Top iPhone Apps to Help You Celebrate

If you are a Star Wars fan and an iPhone user, then here are some amazing apps and games that you should consider downloading on Star Wars Day, which happens to be on 4 May. Given below are a few apps that we recommend.

Star Wars Crawl Creator

Despite having seen the yellow text move into the depths of space in six movies, fans will still love this app's ability to turn regular text into the iconic format. Throw the original tune into the mix and share with your fellow Star-Wars fans.

Star Wars Arcade: Falcon Gunner

Very few Star Wars moments are as much fun as blasting waves and waves of enemies with the powerful guns of the Millennium Falcon. Release your hate for the Empire one blast at a time with this fun arcade game that is bound to keep you busy for days.

Ask Vader

While Anakin Skywalker might not be the smartest Jedi around, his future self, Darth Vader, is easily one of the wisest characters with a connection to the force. You can draw from his vast intellect and get some witty responses to your questions with this app.

Laser Doodle HD

Want to add lightsabers into a picture of your two kids fighting? This app will help you do that and more. Laser Doodle HD will help users add several fun Star Wars effects including laser blasts and lightsabers into pictures.

ForceCast App

Interested in current and archived podcasts relating to the world of Star Wars? Here's the app for you. It contains podcasts covering a broad range of related topics including comics, current projects, collectibles, films, and more.