Editor’s note: Technology is playing an increasing role in the day-to-day business of sales reps. In this department, Repertoire will profile the latest developments in software and gadgets that reps can use for work and play.
COVID-19: There’s an app for that
Apple announced it had released a new screening tool and set of resources to help people stay informed and take the proper steps to protect their health during the spread of COVID-19, based on the latest CDC guidance. The new COVID-19 website, and COVID-19 app available on the App Store, were created in partnership with the CDC, the White House Coronavirus Task Force and FEMA “to make it easy for people across the country to get trusted information and guidance at a time when the U.S. is feeling the heavy burden of COVID-19,” the company said in a release.
The COVID-19 app and website allow users to answer a series of questions around risk factors, recent exposure and symptoms for themselves or a loved one. In turn, they will receive CDC recommendations on next steps, including guidance on social distancing and self-isolating, how to closely monitor symptoms, whether or not a test is recommended at this time, and when to contact a medical provider. This new screening tool is designed to be a resource for individuals and does not replace instructions from healthcare providers or guidance from state and local health authorities.
Along with the new COVID-19 app and website, customers across the U.S. may also ask Siri, “How do I know if I have coronavirus?” to access guidance and resources from the CDC and a curated collection of telehealth apps available on the App Store. Also, travelers landing at select international airports throughout the U.S. would receive notifications on their iPhone to remind them of current CDC guidance to stay home and monitor their health.
Lessening the sticker shock
Samsung’s Galaxy S20 boasts a lot of juicy features, including 8K Video Snap, 5G connectivity and Space Zoom up to 100x. It also has starting price tag of $999. According to CNET, the South Korean company is letting customers use that investment to take the sting off their next upgrade with a buyback scheme that promises to credit 50% of the full retail price to your payment account if you buy directly from Samsung and return your device within two years. Samsung’s website lists exactly how much you’ll get for each S20 series model so you can plan ahead. An S20 will get $500. The S20 Plus will be worth $600 for the 128GB model or $675 for the 512GB one. And the S20 Ultra is worth $700 for 128GB or $800 for 512GB.
A big WHOOP to study the effects of COVID-19
According to TechCrunch, a study conducted by the Central Queensland University Australia (CQUniversity), in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic, will employ data collected by a wrist-worn fitness and health tracking wearable of volunteers who have self-identified as having contracted COVID-19 to study changes in their respiratory behavior over time. The data to be used for this study has been collected from WHOOP’s 3.0 hardware, which has also recently been validated by a University of Arizona external study conducted specifically to determine the accuracy of its measurement of respiratory rates during sleep, which the device uses to provide quality of sleep scores to its users. That study showed it to be among the most accurate measurement tools for respiratory rate short of invasive procedures, which is what has led researchers behind this new study to hypothesize that it could be valuable as a sort of early-warning system for detecting signs of abnormal respiratory behavior in COVID-19 patients before those symptoms are detectable by other means.
Saying ‘I do’ virtually
As COVID-19 continued to spread around the globe, the basic tenets of a wedding had become dangerous, if not illegal, according to The Verge. Asking a large group of people, including elderly relatives, to travel on planes and spend days in close proximity now sounds less like a celebration and more like a death sentence. Many couples have simply decided to postpone their weddings. But others, have moved their ceremonies online. A search for #ZoomWedding on Instagram turns up over 100 photos of couples who’ve live-streamed their nuptials. Zoom – the enterprise video streaming platform that was used in pre-coronavirus days mostly for business meetings – has become the venue of choice for couples hosting digital weddings. It’s relatively easy to use, even for the less technically savvy, and it allows people to mute and unmute guests to moderate their participation, The Verge reported.
Staying upright
With more people spending less time meeting face to face with customers and more time seated in their home offices, posture is surely to suffer. One product, the UPRIGHT GO 2™, promises to build core strength and posture awareness in three simple steps. Simply place the UPRIGHT GO 2™ onto your back using one of our hypoallergenic adhesives. These reusable, hypoallergenic strips are made from medical-grade silicone and won’t leave marks on the skin. You can get about 3-10 uses per adhesive (depending on skin type). If you run out, you can always order new adhesive refill packs here. UPRIGHT devices are small, discreet, and won’t show under most clothes, according to the manufacturer.
UPRIGHT GO 2™ has two modes: training and tracking. In training mode, your device will gently vibrate whenever you slouch. You can adjust the sensitivity and vibration in the app. Tracking mode turns off vibration alerts and keeps accurate stats on your posture throughout the day using enhanced, multi-sensor technology. For more information, visit www.uprightpose.com.