A software kit developed by Medic Mobile can be used in any type of environment to support healthcare.

Mobile Health (mHealth) provided by Medic Mobile is improving healthcare accessibility and quality in Africa. Using VMware, the American non-profit technology company, specializing in mHealth, developed a special software toolkit. This toolkit can be used in just about any environment and supports any language. It also functions with internet connectivity and without it, in the cloud or locally.

The software toolkit is giving African’s access to quality healthcare in the remotest parts of the continent.

The web and mobile tools work on a basic cellular phone. The software is giving health workers the ability to track disease outbreaks, register pregnancies, communicate emergencies, communicate with patients and keep stock of medicines.

The Medic Mobile solution is Linux-based and is made possible through a mobile network virtualized by VMware, running on VMware Player. The toolkit enables healthcare workers to gather and transmit patient data wirelessly via basic cell phones to the central clinic. This significantly cuts down on travel time and cost while making the delivery of quality healthcare better.

Medic Mobile CEO Josh Nesbit stated that the organization’s vision “is that the things that we know save lives should be made accessible to everybody, no matter where they are, no matter how much money they make, no matter to what social group they belong. The vision is global health equality.”

Since the mobile health technology has been implemented, healthcare has improved in Africa.

For instance, in Uganda, infant mortality rates continue to decrease every year. One of the major reasons for this is community health workers can provide better care. They can register pregnancies through a simple text message to the Medic Mobile system. They can provide details including the patient’s name, estimated due date and risk factors. A patient ID is automatically generated by the system and sends automated reminders to both health workers and patients, regarding scheduled appointments. If the appointment is missed by the patient, the system will notify the health worker to followup with the patient.

Presently, over 9,000 healthcare workers are using mobile health tools from Medic Mobile to aid over five million people in 23 developing countries. Using these tools, the healthcare workers are achieving solid results.

Alibaba has released its new OS’Car RX5 to expand the IoT to the automotive sector.

Alipay mobile payments can be made by drivers from the seat of their new OS’Car RX5. The new sport utility vehicle is the product of a partnership formed between Chinese internet giant Alibaba Group and Shanghai-based automotive manufacturer SAIC Motor Corp. It has been introduced to China’s automotive market and is dubbed the “internet car”. It is equipped with a smart operating system, which makes it different from traditional cars. The hope is that the car will spread the internet-of-things (IoT) to the automotive sector.

This smart OS will provide consumers with an experience that is more than simple driving.

The OS’Car RX5 operating system was designed by Alibaba’s YunOS division. Specially designed for the automotive industry, the YunOS will boost consumer experience. According to chairman of Alibaba’s Steering Committee, Dr. Wang Jian, the smart operating system revolutionizes the car so it’s not just about driving. The smart OS becomes “the second engine of cars, while data is the new fuel,” Wang stated.

Alibaba’s new car takes a step beyond other cars that are able to access the internet via third-party apps or software. The company wants to make all vehicles a part of the much bigger IoT ecosystem. In this ecosystem, smart devices gather and exchange data for the purpose of improving efficiencies for users. Cars are a new smart platform, Wang said. He added that through this platform Alibaba can offer internet-based services to create a superior driving experience.

Alipay mobile payments will be only one of the e-commerce services part of the RX5.

The company’s internet car has navigation and voice control features. It also has three LED screens for interfacing with the operating system and 360-degree detachable cameras for taking selfies and recording trips.

The RX5 uses its own e-commerce system to provide consumers with services. For instance, using Alipay mobile payments, drivers have the ability to book and pay for gas stations, parking spaces and coffee shops.

Each driver is given their own “internet ID” that enables the smart OS to recognize different users and make personalized recommendations. These recommendations may include air temperature, music, and nearby restaurants based on previous trips.

President of YunOS, Zhang Chunhui, said that “In the future, we hope Internet-connected cars to be a solid foundation for the development of smarter transportation and smarter cities.”

Currently Chinese consumers can preorder the OS’Car RX5 via Tmall. Prices begin at $22,300. The expected delivery date for the cars is August.