The release of a new Apple device has become associated with adults behaving like children.  We camp out in sleeping bags with friends (in front of the nearest Apple store).  We stay up until 3 a.m. (to pre-order).  Some of us may even throw mini temper tantrums if delivery is delayed a day (not mentioning any coworker’s names).  And if we’re among the poor souls who have to wait, we become very, very jealous of the “in” crowd’s new toys.  Whether you’re reading this on your shiny new iPhone 5, pining away for one until your upgrade is available in January (moi), or just watching this whole game unfold like a football fan on Sunday, you’re probably aware of the existence of “device envy.” 

It doesn’t matter if you’re a consumer aching to trade in your phone or tablet for a fancier new model, or a healthcare administrator exploring intrahospital communication solutions – there are a few basic questions you should ask yourself before donning a clown costume and jumping on the upgrade bandwagon (Google the origin of “bandwagon” if you didn’t get the Bozo reference – interesting story…).

Is it necessary?
Don’t panic.  Answering “no” doesn’t categorically mean you should halt research on upgrades, but it’s important to understand your own or your facility’s motivations before assessing your options.  A non-essential upgrade may only be realistic when personal, department, or organizational budgets allow.

Is it practical?
Sure, Voalte is the communication solution used by U.S. News and World Report’s top ranked hospital, Massachusetts General.  And, yes, CNET just listed the iPhone as the best cell phone yet again.  But if you oversee a small rural facility that operates sans WiFi, or you’re in the Peace Corps in electricity-free Northern Ghana, no matter how great they sound, well, expensive ice cubes just aren’t that useful for Eskimos.

Does it have a documented history of success?
Whether it’s for posting your Facebook status updates, or its purchase represents a significant investment of hard-earned fundraising dollars, you don’t want to plunk down a hefty chunk of change for a fly-by-night device or solution that may not be around next year, or might not have the resources to provide quality, comprehensive service.  ‘Nuff said.

Is it a long-term solution; can it grow with me/us?
These days, it’s all about the “expanding platform.”  There’s no way around it – the world has changed, and when considering options for both personal and professional devices, your lifestyle or workflows are likely going to dictate that an expanding platform is the only viable solution.  Literally every day, new applications and new uses for existing hardware are developed; you’ll want to have access to them.  Be certain to make a sound investment in a device and company that has the ability to evolve with the dynamic communication landscape we operate in.

So there it is.  Now if you’ll excuse me; I’m off to pull another day from the Pinterest-inspired “Countdown to iPhone 5” calendar I created.

The other day I had a chance to use Apple’s new Macbook Pro with Retina display and I was completely amazed—make that blown away! Trust me, I’m not easily impressed and I had a hard time believing it was the “best Mac Apple has ever built” according to one review from a well-respected computer hardware blog. But I stand corrected and completely agree--everything from text to photos to HD videos looked so much better and sharper. I immediately thought what would an MRI or CT scan look like on this display?

What is a retina display? Retina display is a brand name used by Apple for displays Apple claims to have a high enough pixel density that the human eye is unable to notice pixelation at a typical viewing distance. For a comparison, see the table below, comparing the resolution of a DVD, HDTV and the Retina display. Notice that the 15” Macbook retina display has 15 times more pixels then a DVD and 2.5 times more than a HDTV. Now that’s pretty impressive.

	DVD	1080p HDTV	15" Macbook Pro Retina
Resolution	720x480	1920x1080	2880x1800
Pixels	345,600	2,073,600	5,184,000

Apple first introduced the concept of high resolution, retina display on the iPhone 4 in 2010, followed by the 3rd generation iPad last year and now the Macbook. All of these devices have a pixel density approaching that of the human eye.

Now imagine these displays used in medical imaging applications like PACS, MRI’s or CT scans. Think about these images and how much more accurate, detailed, and precise they would appear. Would this level of clarity assist radiologists and doctor’s to be more decisive and conclusive with their diagnoses resulting in a more precise and expeditious diagnosis, treatment and cure? The potential is exponential.

Also imagine these displays on medical devices like physiological monitors such as EKG’s, blood pressure, respiration, and pulse oximetry monitors. Would nurses be more able to provide a better level of care by reducing eye fatigue and eyestrain while increasing their accuracy and efficiency? Visual clarity automatically enhances one’s mental clarity thereby reducing ambiguity and doubt making the arduous work of a nurse more fluid and less questionable.

Is the race on? Which is going to be the first medical application to make full use of the Macbook retina display? And which medical device manufacturer will start shipping retina displays? Right now there are more questions than answers but I think that will be changing very soon.