AMT Blog

IPadian is an Adobe AIR-based iPad simulator which allows you to run some iPad apps in an iPad-like interface on your own PC desktop.

The app itself requires no installation, but you will need to install Adobe AIR before you can use it. Once AIR is in place, simply unzip the downloaded archive and double-click iPadian to get started.

iPadian will overlay itself on top of your desktop, with your existing taskbar still accessible. Cleverly, it’s capable of logging in automatically to various apps such as Facebook if you’re already logged in through your computer. At the present time, however, you’re limited to simple point-and-click with the mouse – there’s no touch-screen support here, nor can you use the mouse in a gesture like fashion.

There’s no access to the official Apple App store too, which means you’re relying on iPadian’s own store for apps, which is incredibly limited seeing as it basically only works with apps that use the web or their own web-based API. Neither is there any meaningful documentation to be had – perhaps unsurprising for a program that’s only at version 0.1.

Despite these drawbacks, iPadian is still well worth a look. iPadian 0.1 is available now as an open-source download for PCs running Windows XP or later with Adobe AIR. 

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Two Lives Left have released Codify, a platform that allows game development using the Lua scripting language, which runs directly on an Apple iPad. Games can be created and demonstrated on the iPad, with auto-completion and tight editing.

Codify is built upon the Lua scripting language, a widely used scripting mechanism used in games. App Store restrictions on applications with embedded scripting engines/languages were relaxed last year, provided that they do not allow the download of new scripts. Unfortunately, this means that Codify has no way of exporting or importing resources and programs that have been created on a single iPad, which limits its use.

Codify is marketed as a prototyping and demonstration application, which allows games and interactive effects to be built quickly and easily (and without any knowledge of Objective-C). At any time, the editor can drop in to a play mode, which runs the game built so far.

Codify can be purchased from the App Store on iPad devices or via iTunes.

Are you looking for a trusted development partner for building you custom iPad Apps? Contact us for more information.

It seems that this question has now been answered. According to Apple, calls made via FaceTime can be HIPAA-compliant with the appropriate security configuration. The news that this ubiquitous, free communications platform meets these rigorous standards has potentially wide implications for how patients, physicians, and others in healthcare communicate.

To be fair, its not quite as simple as just opening FaceTime and calling your patient. Specifically, the WPA2 Enterprise configuration provides an extra level of authentication when establishing a wireless connection. WEP does not provide the appropriate level of security, and WPA and WPA2 personal settings are questionable. FaceTime calls are fully encrypted as well.

According to an email from Apple to ZDNet:

iPad supports WPA2 Enterprise to provide authenticated access to your enterprise wireless network. WPA2 Enterprise uses 128-bit AES encryption, giving users the highest level of assurance that their data will remain protected when they send and receive communications over a Wi-Fi network connection.

In addition to your existing infrastructure each FaceTime session is encrypted end to end with unique session keys. Apple creates a unique ID for each FaceTime user, ensuring FaceTime calls are routed and connected properly.

FaceTime has numerous potential applications in healthcare. Simple applications include a primary care provider communicating with his or her patients or a hospitalist checking in with a patient when they can’t get to the room. It also opens the door to more complex apps utilizing the iPad and iPhone 4 forward-facing cameras as part of telemedicine systems.

This is favorable from a financial standpoint, since only HIPAA-compliant devices are eligible for government grants. As such, the iPad may now find further use in telemedicine programs, particularly those seeking to back up their interventions with data. With the prospect of increased federal funding and the growing popularity of telemedicine, the timing of this announcement could prove to be particularly fortuitous.

One interesting question, particularly in light of the recent FDA meeting, is what kind of regulatory attention this may attract for FaceTime. Intended use, a heavily debated topic at that meeting, could prove to be particularly complex here – a consumer app with healthcare applications that are, to some extent, being promoted by Apple.

FaceTime has the potential to broaden the exchange of information among physicians, provide greater convenience to patients, and improve the quality of patient care. The assurance of a secure connection may prompt more physicians to adopt iPads in practice for communication as well as other uses, though it may be prudent to await confirmation from a regulatory body.

Related Links:

ZDNet
MacRumors