Technical Updates

Remarkable use of an SMS API – System to aid diabetes sufferers

Demonstrating the varied ways in which SMS can be used, researchers at Swansea University are developing a new text messaging service designed to come to the aid of diabetes sufferers in an emergency.

Developed by the Centre for Nanohealth and e-Health Industries Innovation Centre at Swansea University and supported by the Academic Expertise for Business (A4B) programme, the new text messaging scheme involves the development of a new type of blood glucose monitor, which automatically sends readings to the mobile phones and computers of NHS staff.

The aim behind the exciting project is for the development of a cost-effective way for medical practitioners and family members to monitor the health of diabetic patients.

Diabetic patients suffering from low blood sugar levels can suffer from hypoglycaemia, leading many sufferers to faint, something that can prove fatal should they be alone at the time. The new SMS based system operates via a biosensor, which sends readings to NHS teams, as well as notifies family members immediately should a diabetic sufferer fall into a ‘hypo’.

This is just one example of how developers are using SMS API’s in new and exciting ways.

Although SMS use by business is increasing, particularly in the areas of advertising and marketing, many large organisations in the both public and private sectors are becoming increasingly aware of the potential of SMS to communicate with employees in a crisis.

The benefits of using SMS over telephone or email is obvious. Not only will an SMS service save you money, it will save you time, too: you can send a message to specific staff members or broadcast a message to your entire workforce within minutes and know they’ll get it, no matter where they are or what time of day it is.

A good SMS API will also allow SMS alerts to be sent to individuals or groups automatically when certain system thresholds are exceeded – great if you work in IT for example and need to monitor servers constantly.

It would be great to hear of any exciting ways how you have used SMS. Contact us if you would like to write a guest post – hannah.giles@esendex.com.

#leedshack hacks: TxtVia – best use of our SMS API

Have you ever been at work, with your mobile phone in the drawer, yet still wanted (and needed) to send an SMS? Look no further, TxtVia is here (only for Android users at the moment)!

TxtVia was built in just 24 hours at Leeds Hack. The inventers of the App are Kyle, Chuck, Swav and Sean. The App won the prestigious Esendex Challenge for the best use of our SMS API.

It cleverly integrates the Android system into a Google Chrome extension, allowing the user to send SMS messages through Google Chrome on their desktop, through their own Android Phone and then to receive the replies. Similar to iChat yet for mobile text messages.

The users also have the ability to assign many devices and choose which device to send with – or even use Esendex, therefore having a virtual mobile phone in your browser!

With a fantastic user interface and great functionality, this App, when polished will go a long way as a useful and time saving tool. Take a look at their website for more information and updates http://staging.txtvia.com/.

There were a number of other Apps created on the day. Have a look below for details on these;

• Commutapp – keeping you updated via SMS of any problems with your usual journey
• Hang the DJ – decide a playlist through the power of sms messages, last.fm, democracy and Spotify
• 999now.com – getting local, trained first responders to heart attack victims fast
• SMSafe – retrieve your important PIN numbers and passwords via SMS
• SMSHunt – a tresure hunt powered by SMS
• Let me know when – get an SMS when a product you like gets to the price you’d pay
• Voterbot - think the X-Factor voting is dodgey? Here’s the answer!
• PleasePledge! – pledge cash via sms for buying the product for charities
• SMS Pub Crawl – in a strange city having a drink? Want to get to the next pub? Never fear!

All the other hacks are currently showcased on the #leedshack website.

http://leedshack.com/showcase/

#leedshack – what would you do with the Esendex SMS API?

On 6th August, over 100 techy minded individuals descended upon the gorgeous Mint Hotel in Leeds City Centre for a 24 hour coding marathon, Leeds Hack. The concept was to turn up with an idea and leave with a working application.

Teams could consist of up to four people and were generally a mixture of developers and designers. The event is free to the attendees and sponsorship provides them with the venue, food, drink and wifi for the weekend. We decided to get involved by helping to sponsor the event and we issued the attendees with a challenge: what’s the most creative thing you can do with the Esendex SMS API?

One of our Developers, @ruby_gem, headed up the M1 to get involved, she says;

“There was a phenomenal uptake on our API. Over a third of the apps created used it, and I don’t think it was all down to unlocking the beer”.

Event organiser The Hodge, cleverly issued a series of challenges to keep the attendees entertained whilst they hacked away. The swag was unlocked after the achievement of 1000 commits was met, the crisps were unlocked after 100 mentions of #leedshack tweeted and the beer after 50 people had sent an SMS using the Esendex API.
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