Q. This is the year I get serious about improving my health. What tech should I consider to help?
A. Here is what I use daily: iPhone and Apple Watch, along with a smart bathroom scale and a wireless blood pressure cuff, all of which feed data automatically to my phone.
I weigh myself each morning on a Withings Body Smart scale, which is available from Amazon for about $100. On most days I check my resting blood pressure with a Withings BPM Connect cuff, which is also about $100.
Now that I have been using these regularly for years, my doctor has more data than what can be gathering in an office visit. Withings offers a number of different models at higher price points, but I think the basic entry-level models are more than enough for me and my doctor.
The rest of the items I track are performed by the smartphone and watch, no extra hardware needed. This includes medications, dose reminders, sleep quality, some basic heart health screening, loud environments, hydration, physical activity, and more.
Using third-party devices such as those from Withings requires a dedicated app, which I only use to the extent needed to track weight and blood pressure data. I skip all its other functions, because I’m protective of my health data. Apple mostly does a great job with personal privacy, except they do not make it obvious when your data is funneled to a third party.
Because I prefer my doctor’s advice to a random app, this works for me. But it does require care when setting up permissions for the app to focus only on weight and blood pressure.
Q. I have a large number of devices that require USB to recharge, and it has become difficult to keep the cables and AC adapters matched to the correct device. Is there a way to simplify my setup?
A. Some power strips also have USB ports on them. These ports deliver the same power as an AC adapter. With enough ports, you can eliminate the adapters and just use a cable to a power strip.
There are also multi-port AC adapters that can support anywhere from 2 to 5 USB devices at the same time. My favorite AC adapters are made by Anker, and they come in many different shapes and sizes, including models that feature a powerful battery to charge devices in the event of a power failure.
This last suggestion is a bit more permanent, but it can add value to your home and dramatically cut back on clutter: home electric outlets with built-in USB ports.
AC outlets may require an electrician to install them depending on your local building codes. I would also avoid unknown manufacturers and online retailers that supply no-name branded outlets. I went with Eaton, which were available in my local home improvement store.
Outlets that charge devices directly without a separate adapter are a very nice quality of life improvement. No more adapters, just cables. For installation locations, consider high-traffic common areas and also think about bedside tables.
Q. Can I use my smartphone as an ID?
A. There are limitations with digital IDs that make them impractical for everyday use, but they are an excellent backup for domestic travel. The latest versions of the wallet app on iPhone and Android Phone support adding your U.S. passport to your phone’s digital wallet. Anyone with a late-model phone can set that up today.
So far it is useful for domestic travel only, and only in several dozen major airports nationwide, with more on the way.
Because a passport is also a RealID, adding your passport to your smartphone’s wallet will allow you to clear security for domestic flights in selected airports. It is also accepted in some hotels.
Adding a passport to your wallet is as simple as adding a new entry in the wallet app and answering a few questions.
About a dozen states also support adding your state’s driver’s license to your smartphone. Alaska is not one of them yet. You can check your phone’s “Add Card” screens to view a list of states that support digital driver’s licenses.
Digital IDs are newish, and there are still many places that do not accept them. However, it does appear as if they will be at least part of our future, and getting started now is useful.
Bob has been writing about technology for over three decades. He can be contacted at techtalk@bobdel.com.
Wander the Web
Here are my picks for worthwhile browsing this month:
Sky maps
Stellarium Web, an online planetarium running in your web browser. stellarium-web.org
Knit and crochet patterns galore
If you are looking for a winter project, this site hosts a very large library of patterns and other resources. (Free account setup required).
https://www.ravelry.com/account/login
Digital identity details
This TSA site outlines the use of digital IDs in different states.
