scholarly journals Mobile-Assisted Pronunciation Training: The Google Play Pronunciation and Phonetics Application

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-88
Author(s):  
Fitria Meisarah
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Video Camera ◽  
App Store ◽  
Suprasegmental Features ◽  
English Pronunciation ◽  
Android App ◽  
The University ◽  
Google Play

Background:  Several obstacles to pronunciation have been proposed and urged students to practice pronunciation deliberately. Regardless of these problematic, mobile applications can be a great assistant in pronunciation training. However, considering that Google Play is the most prominent android app store with 227,970 instructional devices, it is challenging to find and select pronunciation and phonetics applications. Students should be conscious of their needs by recognizing the proper mobile application for pronunciation learning. This study explores the pronunciation applications utilized by students for pronunciation learning in and out of the classroom. Methodology: This study administered the data with paper reports and interviews accompanying students. This study involved 41 students who were taking a pronunciation and phonetics course at the University of Kutai Kartanegara Tenggarong. Findings: Nine such applications, as reviewed in this study, are divided into two categories: English pronunciation special purpose (EPSP) application and English dictionary assisted pronunciation (EDAP) application. Noteworthy findings were not all of the applications fulfill the content and design approaches such the suprasegmental features, audio playback, and video camera recorder. Conclusion: This study endeavors to have a critical look at four applications recommended after concerning the term of Mobile Assisted Pronunciation Training (MAPT). They are AV Phonetic, English Phonetic Pronunciation, Listening Practice, English Pronunciation developed by Kepham, and U-Dictionary to assist pronunciation learning in and out of the classroom. Keywords: Pronunciation and phonetics; mobile application; MAPT

Mobile Applications for Health Management of Older Adults: A Scoping Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Asilah Ahmad ◽  
Shahrul Azman Mohd Noah ◽  
Arimi Fitri Mat Ludin ◽  
Suzana Shahar ◽  
Noorlaili Mohd Tohit
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Personalized Feedback ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
App Store ◽  
Evidenced Based ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND Currently, the use of smartphones to deliver health-related content has experienced a rapid growth, with more than 165,000 mobile health (mHealth) applications currently available in the digital marketplace such as iOS store and Google Play. Among these, there are several mobile applications (mobile apps) that offer tools for disease prevention and management among older generations. These mobile apps could potentially promote health behaviors which will reduce or delay the onset of disease. However, no review to date that has focused on the app marketplace specific for older adults and little is known regarding its evidence-based quality towards the health of older adults. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to characterize and critically appraise the content and functionality of mobile apps that focuses on health management and/or healthy lifestyle among older adults. METHODS An electronic search was conducted between May 2019 to December 2019 of the official app store for two major smartphone operating systems: iPhone operating system (iTunes App Store) and Android (Google Play Store). Stores were searched separately using predetermined search terms. Two authors screened apps based on information provided in the app description. Metadata from all included apps were abstracted into a standard assessment criteria form. Evidenced based strategies and health care expert involvement of included apps was assessed. Evidenced based strategies included: self-monitoring, goal setting, physical activity support, healthy eating support, weight and/or health assessment, personalized feedback, motivational strategies, cognitive training and social support. Two authors verified the data with reference to the apps and downloaded app themselves. RESULTS A total of 16 apps met the inclusion criteria. Six out of 16 (37.5%) apps were designed exclusively for the iOS platform while ten out of 16 (62.5%) were designed for Android platform exclusively. Physical activity component was the most common feature offered in all the apps (9/16, 56.3%) and followed by cognitive training (8/16, 50.0%). Diet/nutrition (0/16, 0%) feature, however, was not offered on all reviewed mobile apps. Of reviewed apps, 56.3% (9/16) provide education, 37.5% (6/16) provide self-monitoring features, 18.8% (3/16) provide goal setting features, 18.5% (3/16) provide personalized feedback, 6.3% (1/16) provide social support and none of the reviewed apps offers heart rate monitoring and reminder features to the users. CONCLUSIONS All reviewed mobile apps for older adults in managing health did not focused on diet/nutrition component, lack of functional components and lack of health care professional involvement in their development process. There is also a need to carry out scientific testing prior to the development of the app to ensure cost effective and its health benefits to older adults. Collaborative efforts between developers, researchers, health professionals and patients are needed in developing evidence-based, high quality mobile apps in managing health prior they are made available in the app store.

Social Media in Accelerating Mobile Apps

2020 ◽  
pp. 1513-1526
Author(s):  
Asta Bäck ◽  
Päivi Jaring
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Longitudinal Analysis ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
App Store ◽  
Data Points ◽  
Google Play

Mobile application stores have become very popular, and the two most popular, Google Play and Apple App Store, both have over a million applications (apps) available. Social media is extensively used for marketing products and services; but, its true potential, in service and product acceleration, has not been researched much. This paper studies the differences in actions between successful and less successful app developers and especially their social media use in accelerating applications and its impact on success. In this study, a longitudinal analysis is performed on 682 applications, from four Google Play categories, at three data points. This study concludes that almost 50% of the analyzed applications use some form of social media to promote their app, and that successful apps use social media more actively than less successful ones. The qualitative analysis of the apps sheds some light as to why some apps succeed without social media use, and why some fail while using it.

scholarly journals The Use of Mobile Applications for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Tumors in Orthopaedic Oncology – a Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Berger-Groch ◽  
M. Keitsch ◽  
A. Reiter ◽  
S. Weiss ◽  
KH. Frosch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Everyday Life ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Trauma Surgery ◽  
Soft Tissue Tumors ◽  
Orthopaedic Oncology ◽  
Musculoskeletal Tumors ◽  
Medical Evaluation ◽  
Trauma Surgeons ◽  
Google Play

AbstractThe use of smartphone apps is an essential part of everyday life. Mobile applications offer enormous opportunities for dealing with challenges in public health, and their number increases every day. This paper aims to review the existing literature on mobile applications in orthopaedic oncology and to summarize the current mobile applications for musculoskeletal tumors. A systematic literature review was conducted regarding articles on mobile applications in orthopaedic and trauma surgery. The focus was on identifying mobile applications that can be used in the treatment of patients with musculoskeletal tumors. Two reviewers independently assessed study eligibility, extracted data, and appraised methodological quality. In addition, the Apple App Store and Google Play Store were searched for suitable mobile applications. Ninety-one articles describing a mobile application in orthopaedic and trauma surgery were identified. Three articles focused on a mobile application for musculoskeletal tumors. Additionally, seven mobile applications were available in the App/Play Stores dealing with bone or soft tissue tumors in orthopaedic oncology without corresponding scientific articles. Increasing numbers of mobile applications are being developed in orthopaedic and trauma surgery. Currently, only three scientific articles on mobile applications in orthopaedic oncology are present, yet several more applications are available without scientific medical evaluation. Since mobile applications can facilitate the everyday life of orthopaedic and trauma surgeons, it is worthwhile to be aware of new developments in this field. A regular scientific evaluation of the subject is important in order to classify the significance of these applications.

scholarly journals RNAtor: an Android-based application for biologists to plan RNA sequencing experiments

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shruti Kane ◽  
Himanshu Garg ◽  
Neeraja M. Krishnan ◽  
Aditya Singh ◽  
Binay Panda
Keyword(s):  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Splice Variants ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Flow Cell ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Amount Of Information ◽  
Novel Transcripts ◽  
Google Play

AbstractRNA sequencing (RNA-seq) is a powerful technology for identification of novel transcripts (coding, non-coding and splice variants), understanding of transcript structures and estimation of gene and/or allelic expression. There are specific challenges that biologists face in determining the number of replicates to use, total number of sequencing reads to generate for detecting marginally differentially expressed transcripts and the number of lanes in a sequencing flow cell to use for the production of right amount of information. Although past studies attempted answering some of these questions, there is a lack of accessible and biologist-friendly mobile applications to answer these questions. Keeping this in mind, we have developed RNAtor, a mobile application for Android platforms, to aid biologists in correctly designing their RNA-seq experiments. The recommendations from RNAtor are based on simulations and real data.Availability and ImplementationThe Android version of RNAtor is available on Google Play Store and the code from GitHub (https://github.com/binaypanda/RNAtor).

App Store: market boundaries and Apple’s market power

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-127
Author(s):  
Natalia Pavlova ◽  
Alexandr Kurdin ◽  
Dmitriy Polyakov
Keyword(s):  
Operating System ◽  
Market Power ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
App Store ◽  
Empirical Estimates

The article is based on the research in mobile applications markets. The distribution of market power in these markets depends on the ability of a digital ecosystem’s owner to control the handling of mobile applications inside the ecosystem. The degree of this control is determined by the substitutability of different application stores as necessary facilities for the access to mobile applications. The authors provide the survey-based empirical estimates of such substitutability for Apple’s mobile application store — App Store. The results of further tests for market boundaries delineation confirm the embeddedness of final users in Apple’s ecosystem in absence of feasible opportunities to change the operating system and, consequently, the application store. The findings explain the degree of Apple’s market power and provide grounds for antitrust intervention.

Dark Skin Representation within Mobile Applications for Dermatology Education: an Observational Analysis (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhys Dore
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Application Technology ◽  
Dark Skin ◽  
Acral Lentiginous Melanoma ◽  
Keloid Scarring ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND Ethnic diversity in dermatology has previously been neglected within educational curricula. This has previously been demonstrated within many established dermatology textbooks. Many urban populations find their communities becoming increasingly diverse and medical education must match these changes. The increasing use and modernisation of mobile technology in health education may represent an avenue to provide increasingly diverse knowledge related to dermatology in dark skin populations. OBJECTIVE To review the representation of dark skin photography and diseases in dermatological educational resources provided via mobile application technology. METHODS Mobile applications related to ‘dermatology’ were reviewed within the Google Play Store. Only original mobile applications made for education of medical students or health professionals were analysed. Photographic depictions of dermatological conditions were categorised according to Fitzpatrick type 1-4, Fitzpatrick type 5-6, or uncertain. Additionally, mobile applications were reviewed for information regarding four conditions more common in people with darker skin: central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, melasma, acral lentiginous melanoma, and keloid scarring. RESULTS Of 200 mobile applications reviewed, 12 were included within the analysis. In total 3755 in-app photographs were categorised into Fitzpatrick type 1-4 (3398 photographs, 90.5%), Fitzpatrick type 5-6 (245 photographs, 6.5%), or uncertain (112 photographs, 3.0%). The degree of photographs showing Fitzpatrick 5-6 ranged from 0.7% to 17.6% between the different mobile applications. This was not significantly different from results previously gained from photographic depictions in dermatology textbooks. Furthermore, the number of mobile applications presenting overt educational information regarding the four conditions reviewed varied considerably; central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (1 application, 8.3%), melasma (5 applications, 41.7%), acral lentiginous melanoma (4 applications, 33.3%), and keloid scarring (6 applications, 50%). No mobile applications contained information for all four conditions. CONCLUSIONS There is limited depiction of dermatological conditions in darker skin tones within mobile applications aimed at educational students and professionals in dermatology.

Mobile Applications for Allergic Rhinitis

2018 ◽  
Vol 127 (11) ◽  
pp. 836-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert H. Zhou ◽  
Varesh R. Patel ◽  
Soly Baredes ◽  
Jean Anderson Eloy ◽  
Wayne D. Hsueh
Keyword(s):  
Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Operating Systems ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
App Store ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Pollen Forecast ◽  
Google Play

Objective: To study and review the currently available mobile applications relating to allergic rhinitis. Methods: The Apple and Google mobile app stores were queried with search terms relating to allergic rhinitis. Apps were assigned to categories and analyzed based on description and characteristics such as popularity, reviews, cost, platform, and physician involvement in development. Results: A total of 72 apps related to allergic rhinitis were identified. Fifty-four apps were unique, with 18 apps found on both operating systems. Forty (55.5%) apps were available in the Apple App store, and 32 (44.4%) apps were available in the Google Play app store. They were grouped into the following categories: patient education (18; 25%), journals (15; 20.8%), symptom tracking (14; 19.4%), clinical/private practice (13; 18.1%), pollen forecast (7; 9.7%), medical education (4; 5.6%), and other (1; 1.4%). The majority of apps were free of charge (67; 93.1%), with paid apps ranging from $1.47 to $4.99. Apps that were reviewed had an average rating of 3.9 out of 5. Physicians were involved in the development of 37 (51.4%) apps. Conclusions: The collection of mobile apps developed for allergic rhinitis includes those for both educational and clinical use. Mobile apps may have an increasing role in otolaryngic allergy and rhinology practices in the future. Thus, continued research is warranted to determine the best way to ensure the accuracy and quality of app content as well as the extent mobile apps can benefit allergic rhinitis patients.

Tourism Mobile Application Usability

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Inversini ◽  
Lucia Violi
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Communication ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Smart Phones ◽  
Significant Growth ◽  
Google Play

Mobile communication is experiencing significant growth: the domain has been completely reshaped since the launch of the Apple iPhone (June 2007) and the ensuing development of so-called “smart phones”. Furthermore, together with the expansion of new mobile artifacts, mobile application markets (such as Apple iTunes Store and Android Google Play market) have contributed to the diffusion of new forms of communication within different sectors and domains. Tourism is being very much exposed to the advent of mobile applications as tools for communication and assistance during the consumption of touristic experiences. By examining a case from the tourism industry, this research highlights the importance of the usability of mobile communication in this mobile tourism (mTourism) context. mTourism usability can be achieved by emphasizing the importance of fast and reliable access to content, as well as the quality – particularly conciseness, accuracy and coverage – of the relevant information.

scholarly journals German Mobile Apps in Rheumatology: Review and Analysis Using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS)

10.2196/14991 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e14991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Knitza ◽  
Koray Tascilar ◽  
Eva-Maria Messner ◽  
Marco Meyer ◽  
Diana Vossen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Validated Questionnaires ◽  
App Store ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
Google Play

Background Chronic rheumatic diseases need long-term treatment and professional supervision. Mobile apps promise to improve the lives of patients and physicians. In routine practice, however, rheumatology apps are largely unknown and little is known about their quality and safety. Objective The aim of this study was to provide an overview of mobile rheumatology apps currently available in German app stores, evaluate app quality using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS), and compile brief, ready-to-use descriptions for patients and rheumatologists. Methods The German App Store and Google Play store were systematically searched to identify German rheumatology mobile apps for patient and physician use. MARS was used to independently assess app quality by 8 physicians, 4 using Android and 4 using iOS smartphones. Apps were randomly assigned so that 4 apps were rated by all raters and the remaining apps were rated by two Android and two iOS users. Furthermore, brief app descriptions including app developers, app categories, and features were compiled to inform potential users and developers. Results In total, 128 and 63 apps were identified in the German Google Play and App Store, respectively. After removing duplicates and only including apps that were available in both stores, 28 apps remained. Sixteen apps met the inclusion criteria, which were (1) German language, (2) availability in both app stores, (3) targeting patients or physicians as users, and (4) clearly including rheumatology or rheumatic diseases as subject matter. Exclusion criteria were (1) congress apps and (2) company apps with advertisements. Nine apps addressed patients and 7 apps addressed physicians. No clinical studies to support the effectiveness and safety of apps could be found. Pharmaceutical companies were the main developers of two apps. Rheuma Auszeit was the only app mainly developed by a patient organization. This app had the highest overall MARS score (4.19/5). Three out of 9 patient apps featured validated questionnaires. The median overall MARS score was 3.85/5, ranging from 2.81/5 to 4.19/5. One patient-targeted and one physician-targeted app had MARS scores >4/5. No significant rater gender or platform (iOS/Android) differences could be observed. The overall correlation between app store ratings and MARS scores was low and inconsistent between platforms. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study that systematically identified and evaluated mobile apps in rheumatology for patients and physicians available in German app stores. We found a lack of supporting clinical studies, use of validated questionnaires, and involvement of academic developers. Overall app quality was heterogeneous. To create high-quality apps, closer cooperation led by patients and physicians is vital.

scholarly journals Gambling Prevention Mobile Applications: Understanding the Inclusion and Use of Behaviour Change Techniques

2021 ◽  
pp. 110-121
Author(s):  
Tom St Quinton ◽  
Ben Morris
Keyword(s):  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Online Gambling ◽  
Behaviour Change Techniques ◽  
Gambling Problems ◽  
Behaviour Change Technique ◽  
App Store ◽  
Google Play ◽  
Gambling Prevention

Online gambling is emerging as a significant health behaviour of concern at a population level. Mobile applications (apps) are a popular tool to target change in health behaviour. Behaviour change techniques (BCTs) can be included within such apps to change relevant psychological mechanisms along established pathways, yet the content of apps targeting gambling problems specifically is not currently known. The purpose of the review was to identify the BCTs included in gambling prevention apps. Apps were downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in October 2020. Apps were included if they related to gambling problems, were freely downloadable, and available in English. Once downloaded, two researchers independently coded the apps in November 2020 using the behaviour change technique taxonomy version 1 (Michie et al., 2013). The screening led to forty apps meeting the inclusion criteria (12 Apple App Store, 28 Google Play). The analyses identified 32 BCTs (20 Apple apps, 28 Google Play apps), with apps including between 0 and 9 BCTs (mean = 2.82, median = 2). The BCTs included most frequently were “3.1. Social support (unspecified),” “2.3. Self-monitoring of behaviour,” and “7.4. Remove access to the reward.” The review provides important information on the BCTs used in apps developed to reduce gambling-related problems. A limited number of BCTs were adopted within apps. Developers of apps seeking to develop effective gambling reduction products should draw upon a greater variety of BCTs.  

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