Editor’s note: Here’s a first post from one of our new team members, Thao Nguyen (@thaobnguyen), who runs our Emerging Interactions team, the Research and Design part of the R, D & D.
That last D is Development if that’s unclear. Anyway, like Thao says, Happy Thanksgiving for those who celebrate it, and for those who don’t enjoy the silence in our absence. To Thao’s question, I’m going with Internet. Yes, it’s a gadget because it’s a series of tubes, not a big truck.
Find the comments to add the gadget for which you are most thankful.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and this seems like a good time to put my voice out on The AppsLab (@theappslab). I’m Thao, and my Twitter (@thaobnguyen) tagline is “geek mom.” I’m a person of few words and those two words pretty much summarize my work and home life. I manage The AppsLab researchers and designers. Jake welcomed us to the AppsLab months ago here, so I’m finally saying “Thank you for welcoming us!”
Photo by floodllama on Flickr used under Creative Commons
As we reflect on all the wonderful things in our lives, personal and professional, I sincerely want to say I am very thankful for having the best work family ever. I was deeply reminded of that early this week, when I had a little health scare at work and was surround by so much care and support from my co-workers. Enough of the emotional stuff, and onto the fun gadget stuff . . . .
My little health scare led me to a category of devices that hadn’t hit my radar before – potentially, life saving, personal medical apps. I’ve been looking at wearables, fitness devices, healthcare apps, and the like for a long time now but there is a class of medical-grade devices (at least recommended by my cardiologist) that is potentially so valuable in my life, as well as those dear to me . . . AliveCor. It is essentially turns your smartphone into an ECG device so you can monitor your heart health anytime and share it with your physician. Sounds so cool!
Back to giving thanks, I’m so thankful for all the technology and gadgets of today – from the iPhone and iPad that lets me have a peaceful dinner out with the kids to these medical devices that I’ll be exploring now. I want to leave you with a question, “What gadget are you most thankful for?”
I like all the gadgets that help the user with wellness: mindful awareness, etc vs just pure step counts and activity. In particular I like the Tinke and the Muse (unhacked version). Ideally you don’t need any gadgets, just a quiet place and some free time, but it’s kind of cool to see the metrics of meditation.
Link to Tinke: http://www.zensorium.com/tinke/
I myself like the FitBit and hope to get a version for Christmas that doesn’t give me a skin rash. I am thankful for Thao’s AlivCor and know a candidate who will be getting that from Santa on his iPhone.