blog.mignault.net

Meters, software, and Macs

Via VersionTracker, I found a new type 2 tracking program for the Mac called Type2Tracker. It looks really great, but there’s one big problem: I can’t import my meter data into it. I’d have to enter it manually and that’s a deal-breaker for me. I know of only one other program that will import data from a number of popular meters, the Body Journal, from a Canadian company. It also looks pretty good, but it’s not aimed specifically at diabetics. My guess is that the meter manufacturers, all of whom sell software packages themselves (for Windows only), aren’t too forthcoming with the specs necessary to write a package for the Mac. If anyone knows of one, I’d love to know. I ended up getting a OneTouch UltraSmart. Highly recommended.

And while I’m on the subject of meters, why isn’t there a LOT more technical innovation in glucometers? There’s an awful lot of us diabetics out there – why aren’t we getting meters with Bluetooth interfaces and web capabilities? How come I can’t press a button on my meter and have it sync up with the diabetes software on my Powerbook? Why can’t it send my results wirelessly to my doctor? Is it ageism – would the companies be doing this if diabetics were mostly people in their 20’s (although since new cases are being diagnosed increasingly younger, that may yet be the case)? Why isn’t Apple designing a meter? The iBleed? It could also play music!

Technorati Tags: apple, diabetes, tech, type2

What’s the best meter?

After a number of years I’m in the market for a new glucometer. I’ve been using the Accu-Chek Advantage for a few years now, long enough that mine has been replaced by a newer, smaller iteration. I may be looking for a different model, though. I’d like to be able to download my results into my Powerbook, and the Compass software Roche offers is Windows only. I tried finding Mac software that’d work with the Advantage and came up short. Lifescan, who make the OneTouch line, appear to have opened up their interfaces, as I saw a few third-party programs available. One, Sweetsheet from Children with Diabetes, looked promising until I looked at the screen shots. It appears to be Classic only; I’d really prefer to get something running under OSX.

My ideal meter would have an open API, allow me to publish my results as an RSS feed, and would have both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth interfaces. Might as well build in an MP3 player as well. Call it the iSweet. Toss in GPS.

Unfortunately the reality is that you still need to buy serial-to-USB adapters for most of the meter data cables. Guess we need more diabetic geeks.

Is there anything even close to what I want? Small is also good; I’d really like something I could slip into my pocket, rather than having to carry a bulky case around. Alternate site testing is not really a concern; I’ve gotten used to fingerpricks.