Category: Apps

CWSI launches free mobile app to help Irish businesses return to work safely. #CWSI #Business

CWSI, Ireland’s most experienced enterprise mobility specialists, today announces the launch of a freely available mobile app for businesses, to help employees return-to-work safely according to Government protocols. The Safety Instructions app, which is available in multiple languages, including English and Irish, is free to download on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

CWSI developed the app in conjunction with its partner, Netherlands-based enterprise mobility experts BLAUD, with the aim of helping Irish and UK organisations manage the safe return of workers to sites and offices as the economy opens up in phases, following the temporary closure of most businesses due to COVID-19.

The app was built on the insight that a safe and continued return to work requires strong communication and a shared collaborative approach between employers and workers. The user-friendly app was designed to help organisations easily communicate and explain workplace controls to comply with infection prevention measures to all relevant workers, contractors and visitors to the site or office.

Through the app, employers can easily and dynamically distribute safety information and protocols including detailed instructions on social distancing, site floorplans, evacuation procedures and emergency contact details. Data related to Government guidelines on COVID-19 – such as advice on hand hygiene and instructions on what to do if a worker develops signs and symptoms of COVID-19 on-site – can be updated quickly and easily as the latest advice and instructions change.

Visitors to a workplace can access site-specific information via a unique QR code or via a map search feature. The app is available in multiple languages, including English, Irish, Flemish, French and Dutch.

Ronan Murphy, CEO, CWSI, said: “As the economy slowly begins the return to office and site-based working, health and safety protocols and procedures will be critical to ensuring a safe environment for employees and reducing risk for employers. At CWSI, we believe mobile technologies, such as the Safety Instructions application, can play a key role in helping organisations communicate safety measures clearly to staff to mitigate the chances of future outbreaks in the workplace.

Ronan Murphy, CEO and Co-Founder, CWSI

 

“Our freely available app is a great example of how technology can provide employees with immediate, up-to-date information, helping to remove uncertainty around the return to work and alleviate the administrative burden on over-stretched HR and health and safety resources. With the right measures and the tools to communicate these in place, the economy as a whole can return to normal both quicker and more safely.”

 Get on Android     Get on IOS

The Safety Instructions app is available to download on the Google Play or Apple App Store or through the CWSI website (cwsisecurity.com/solution/mobile-workforce-solutions/safety-app)

MyCHI App for Staff – How Children’s Health Ireland are Supporting Staff through Coronavirus #CHI #Thrive

Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) is responsible for the delivery of acute paediatric services for children, provided in the three Dublin children’s hospital locations at Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght and a paediatric outpatient and urgent care centre based on the campus at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown.

With over 4,000 people working in CHI across five locations, most are not desk-based; communication and sharing information has therefore been a challenge. The development of the new organisation, bringing three hospitals together into one on 1 January 2019 and the opening of CHI at Connolly in July 2019 also increased the need to communicate better and to engage teams through these organisational and cultural changes.

To meet the challenges, Trevor Murphy, Director of Human Resources started to look at ways in which staff and management in individual hospitals and the change programme could more effectively communicate and share information with each other.

The need for effective communication and information sharing reached a critical point with the spread of COVID-19 bringing new challenges to CHI to communicate in a timely and pervasive means with their staff. Trevor evaluated several options before deciding to proceed with Thrive. Within three weeks, CHI were up and running, using Thrive’s communication platform and app, which has be branded ‘MyCHI’, with ongoing assistance from the Thrive team.

Commenting on the new app for staff MyCHI, Trevor Murphy, Director of Human Resources said; “A massive and sincere thanks to all the Thrive team for ‘the can do’ attitude in assisting us in launching our employee app MyCHI. It is hugely welcomed by all as a great support for communicating key and important updates, information and supports for our staff at this very difficult time.

The initial feedback from staff has been overwhelmingly positive and we are excited to roll it out to our staff across all our sites, in particularly those who are working remotely due to the current guidelines on physical and social distancing

With our programme for change in preparation for our move to the new children’s hospital and the current health crisis we are facing, there has never been a more important time for us to ensure our colleagues are connected, sharing and receiving important information and feel fully supported and recognised.

Team Thrive are delighted to help and welcome CHI as a new client and we look forward to working with their team to ensure their employee communications app is engaging and reaching all team members in these challenging times.”

James Scott CEO, Co-Founder of Thrive said; “During this time of uncertainty, effective communication is vital. We are so happy that the Thrive platform and app are genuinely helping people and organisations during this challenging time. We have made adjustments to our contracts and pricing in order to be as flexible as possible to help as many organisations as we can and are delighted to have CHI join our client base.”

Irish Tech Company First to Market with Social Distancing and COVID-Compliance App for Hospitality Sector #Ordee

A tech duo from Waterford have launched a GPS-based app that will allow pubs, restaurants, gyms and other social and recreational outlets to open and do business in the new COVID-era.

The innovative technology, which is the first of its kind in the Irish marketplace, allows business owners to easily document and broadcast their venues’ compliance standards and the availability of space on their premises, to their customer base. This in turn equips patrons with the knowledge they need to make informed, real-time decisions around where they can go to socialise safely.

In its first week, 200 businesses signed up to arrange a demo of the software, and it is expected that take up of Ordee is likely to soar in the coming months, as Ireland gears up for a phased reopening.

Speaking of the new product, Ordee Co-founder Anthony Cronin,

“Publicans, restaurateurs and so many other business owners throughout the country are chomping at the bit to get back to work, but they are struggling to see how they can maintain compliance standards and still operate their business, while keeping costs down. With Ordee we have basically taken these key obstacles that businesses are facing, developed solutions to address them, and centralised the solutions in one easy to use app. It’s critical that venues can re-engage with their customer base – and Ordee will allow them to do this efficiently, cost effectively and safely”.

 

Mr. Cronin went on to outline how the app also addresses concerns from a consumer perspective,

“When the time comes, people will be itching to get out and socialise again – but there is a consistent air of concern amongst the public as to how they can do this safely. People are cognisant of the fact that they don’t want their behaviour, or the behaviour of others, to put themselves or others in jeopardy. The Ordee app is designed to go some way to alleviating these concerns”.

“Ordee” allows publicans, restauranteurs and other service providers and retailers to put their energy into their core business, while ensuring that their venue is compliant with “Return to Work Safely Guidelines”.

So How Does Ordee Work?

  • The business signs up to the program and is then listed as a venue on the app and shown on the live map to users. Businesses can segregate online bookings for space and for walk-ins
  • The user downloads the app and can check a list of venues in real time to see which venues currently have available space. They can book based on availability and join a queue
  • Once the user chooses a venue and arrives at the location, they receive a notification to confirm they are there and how many people are in their party, in which case the app will update the venue’s status accordingly. If the patron him/herself does not have the app on their person, then the venue itself can “clock a person/ persons in” manually through the admin section of the programme
  • The user can also use the app to order and pay for drinks, food etc.

Financial Support

Developers at Ordee say that because the app is deemed an ecommerce solution, businesses that want to sign up might be able to avail of the LEO Trading Online Voucher to do so – provided they meet the criteria.

Mr. Cronin commented,

“Cashflow is tight, to say the least, for most businesses at the moment and compliance with COVID-protocols is going to incur additional costs. To offset these, the Government have put in place supports – one of which is the Local Enterprise Trading Online grant and businesses can use it to sign up for Ordee.  If your application is accepted, LEO will fund 90% of the cost of the Platform for your business. There are a few T&C’s but the process is very simple and effective”.

Since launching last week, there have been almost 200 businesses nationwide that have requested demonstrations.

Mr. Cronin concluded,

“Interest has been huge. Even more than we envisaged. Our team are working round the clock to ensure that we get to everyone who has requested a demo as quickly as possible”.

The WOLF app brings real-life virtual festivals to smart devices. #WOLF #Festivals #Apps

Today WOLF – The World’s Online Festival – launches in the UK. The free app is a platform for creativity, having fun and connecting with people from across the globe.

WOLF provides social freedom to people, in a virtual world; particularly relevant now at a time when we don’t have that luxury in our day-to-day lives.

As the world navigates a challenging time, technology such as this, plays an important role.

Unlike other entertainment apps, WOLF focuses on audio; rather than being locked into a stream, users can use the virtual stage for singing, comedy, listening to performers or simply catching up.

WOLF alleviates the confinement of self-isolation and lets users experience live entertainment, in an online world. Users can interact with shows by engaging with hosts and performers, in real time.

In the absence of key events such as Glastonbury and Coachella, WOLF empowers people to create an authentic festival experience where you can stumble across new performers and discuss them with friends.

Users aren’t just spectators on WOLF, they are part of the action; encouraged to explore their own talents. Hosting live performances, engaging with other people using the app, making live podcasts and radio-style shows are all part of the experience. WOLF performers come from all over the entertainment world, many with niche talents, which they are encouraged to showcase.

WOLF was developed from its predecessor, Palringo, the first chat app to launch on the Apple App Store.

Gary Knight, WOLF CEO says: “The reality of life right now is that it will necessitate a significant medium-term change of lifestyles, all around the world. As it becomes increasingly apparent that everyone will have to rethink how they experience social situations, WOLF offers a second world where people can hang out. The entertainment brings people in, they then stay to chat and connect.

“We wanted to create a virtual world that replicated the joys that we all get from discovery. WOLF keeps people together, particularly at a time when many feel socially isolated. It’s friendship, exploration, fun and the entertainment of a real-world festival, in your pocket.” 

WOLF is a free app available to download on Apple and Google Play app stores.

Local software companies deliver dedicated Northern Ireland Covid-19 App. #Civica #Covid-19NI

The Department of Health today launched a new Covid-19 information app which was commissioned and delivered in just two weeks by locally based cloud software specialists CIVICA in partnership with Big Motive.

“Covid-19 NI is one of the first dedicated tool of its kind in the UK and Ireland and demonstrates that our local Department of Health and the HSC were well ahead of the game in knowing exactly what they wanted and securing it in record time,” explained Mark Owens, Managing Director of CIVICA Northern Ireland.

Photo by Aaron McCracken

 

“The App is simple to download and use and has three core functions, firstly an in-app symptom checker for Coronavirus (COVID-19) leading the user to appropriate medical advice and onward links to further information; secondly a chat bot with natural language interface to answer users’ questions which will be enhanced and expanded with time, usage and feedback; and thirdly a push notification service with the ability to push messages out to user’s devices very similar to text messages alerting people to things like significant changes to official status or advice.

“Our brief was to provide a trusted single source of information dedicated to providing the population of Northern Ireland with immediate advice that should ease pressure on GP surgeries, pharmacies and of course Hospitals.

“ I cannot stress how unprecedented it is in our industry to produce an App of this nature so quickly and we could not have done it without the skills and dedication of our developers who were determined to do their best to support our amazing NHS.

“We all know the pressure on our medical services is going to be extraordinary and we believe this is going to be a critical tool for those who need local information immediately.

“It is the duty of every business in Northern Ireland to do their bit to support the Executive, the Government Departments and to realise that it is vital we all work together to beat this Pandemic, use our skills, our ingenuity and retool where necessary to support each other and our economy,” concluded Mark.

The App is available on Google Play store, Apple store, Windows 10 app store.

Moshi Twilight – Sleeping experts work with Goldie Hawn to combat children’s anxiety in the time of crisis. #Kids #Moshi

Moshi Twilight – the #1 sleep and mindfulness app for kids has partnered once again with Hollywood legend Goldie Hawn to launch a new ‘Brain Break’ to help families around the world improve the mental wellbeing of their kids and reduce anxiety during worrying times.

 Put together by the BAFTA award-winning Moshi team, Goldie’s Brain Break is an important resource that can be used by parents to help stabilise emotional thinking and help kids refocus when there is a need to bring balance and reduce family stress.  Recorded with the Moshi team, this Brain Break is a short wind-down exercise – set to calming music – that takes heightened emotions down to a sense of calm.  

Anxiety in children is continuously on the rise, affecting 30% of children and adolescents, yet 80% never get help according to Child Mind Institute. As world events create more uncertainty and stress, this growing issue affects millions of families around the world, especially during this unprecedented crisis.

 

Sleep expert and psychologist, Dr Azizi Seixas, who works alongside the Moshi team, says:

 

“Feelings can be overwhelming sometimes, especially for children who haven’t learned how to react and respond to them. Managing emotions, even more so during stressful situations, can be difficult regardless of age. This is especially true when routines are disrupted. Routines play a key role in promoting feelings of safety and security in children and when boundaries are broken they can feel more vulnerable and unsettled.”

 

As part of her philanthropic work, Goldie Hawn is actively committed to empowering children and families through acts of mindfulness, and has also lent her voice to a Moshi bedtime story, “Goldie the Mindful Moshling”, which has already been listened to millions of times by kids around the world.

 

Goldie shared the news of the launch of her Brain Break in the Moshi app with her 2.1M Instagram followers, saying: 

“In these times of uncertainty and fear, it is important to calm your brain to help reduce stress and anxiety. Please enjoy this Brain Break with your child and your family every day. Please visit @twilightmoshi to get this free Brain Break (and a really fun sleep story I narrated) on their app.”

CEO of Moshi Twilight, Ian Chambers said:

“School closures, self-isolation and quarantine is unfortunately becoming an unavoidable part of our everyday vocabulary and behaviour, and even as adults, the feelings associated with this are overwhelming.  We hope that Goldie’s Brain Break will help families achieve a sense of calm during moments of stress and anxiety.

 

“Against a backdrop of uncertainty, we are thrilled to be able to give this to families around the world for free via the Moshi app.”

Goldie’s Brain Break is free to use on iOS, Android and Amazon Fire and is now part of the Moshi Twilight app that has played over 75 million stories since launch. The Moshi Twilight app also includes: Moshi Stories, Guided Meditations, Moshi Moments, Music and Sounds to help kids wind down, relax, de-stress and sleep.

Ms Hawn concludes: “All children in the world are our most precious resource for a happier, healthier tomorrow. They deserve all we can give them to thrive and succeed in this sometimes challenging world.”

Dating App “The League” Launches in Dublin, Encourages Remote Dating Via Video. #Dating #Apps #TheLeague

The League, Dublin’s newest mobile dating app, officially launches today, providing isolated singles new ways to make connections from the safety of their own home.

The League, which operates a freemium model, is offering Dublin users two weeks of free Member status to give everyone access to its unique video features including League Live. Simply message #isoDate to the in-app Concierge to activate the free membership. The offer will run until social distancing measures are redacted.

League Live allows singles to connect through three live video speed dates, two minutes each, in just six minutes total. The twice weekly League Live sessions take place on Wednesdays and Sundays at 9pm local time. The app also features a video chat function that enables users call each other without exchanging numbers; and supports 10-second video profile images to help improve match rates.

Created in 2015, The League is known for its high-achieving community of users. Using data from both Facebook and LinkedIn to fuel its algorithm, it offers users complete privacy from friends and colleagues, more context about potential matches, and a curated community of professional singles seeking an ambitious and driven partner.

“The world is changing underneath us and in today’s climate, being able to connect safely and responsibly is more important than ever.” says Amanda Bradford, Founder & CEO of The League “We made the decision to support more global cities and accelerate the roll-out of our video features to encourage singles to continue dating – with no need to leave your home, or even exchange numbers.”

The League currently operates in 76 cities worldwide, including 12 additional cities launching today: Manchester, Oxford, Edinburgh, and Birmingham (United Kingdom); Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa and Kingston (Canada); Lyon and Marseille (France); and Brisbane and Perth (Australia).

The League is available to download on iOS and Android.

Redison announces Senstroke app 2.0 #Redison #Apps #Music

Redison, the French startup company that specialises in connected music, announces its latest app update – Senstroke 2.0. Available on iOS and Android the app works with the Senstroke music sensors to provide extra features to drummers who want to play anywhere, on anything.

Senstroke are the first Bluetooth enabled sensors for percussionists that allow drummers to reproduce the movements and impacts of authentic drumsticks as well as the footwork of a real drum kit. The Senstroke sensors allow amateur and professional drummer to practice their scales anywhere.

The latest app now includes a new play feature ideal for beginners – the learning mode. This mode allows users to have an in-app lessons as they play with a drum track that scrolls across the screen to aid learning. Users can practice being in sync with the drums and are then given a score at the end of the performance. Drummers can keep returning to the tracks to improve their skills.

Ready, get set, play

The Senstroke 2.0 application features an improved playing system allowing users to set up and be drumming quicker than before. Drummers can choose between a pre-configured drum layout to get going straight away or customise the kit to suit their needs.

In addition to this the app allows users to change the drum kit: simple snare drum, basic or complete kit, it’s now easy to create a drum kit that suits you and change it as needed.

A new pairing screen

When you connect a Senstroke sensor to the application in version 2.0, the pairing of the sensor has been improved to provide a more ergonomic set up.

A new setting screen now allows users to change the sensitivity of the sensors according to individual playing style.

Best App Development Platforms to Use in 2020 #Apps #Devs

Over the last decade, apps have become inevitable parts of businesses. More and more companies apply Mobile Device Management and Bring-Your-Own-Device policies, which lead to a productivity boost. No matter what type of enterprise you run, you may need an app for internal or external communication too. 

 

The market is full of companies that can code apps for iOS and Android. However, they are all quite expensive. Freepps.top experts selected 5 most useful services that will help you create high-quality native and hybrid apps for your business in 2020 with minimal investments. 

 

  1. Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator is focused on producing apps for sales, order, and event management tasks. Besides, it offers robust solutions for logistics and various types of tracking. Although Zoho Creator was originally made for developing apps for internal corporate needs, you can adjust it for customer services too. A wide range of integrations includes Quickbooks for accounting, PayPal for secure transactions, customer services by Twilio, proprietary Zoho apps, and more. The standard plan lets you create and maintain 3 applications for $10 monthly fee. It includes 24/5 live support, 50 templates, AI modules, and layouts for mobile, desktop, and tablets. 

 

  1. Verivio Akula

Although Verivio Akula provides nearly the same set of features as Zoho Creator, it’s based on different production logic. The service is focused on fast app launching and provides full assistance at all development stages. The average project accomplishment period on the platform is 7 days. The process is split into sections, such as installation, testing, integration, custom configuration, and training on demand. Verivio Akula is a perfect solution for any business when time is pressing on. 

 

  1. AppSheet

AppSheet is a more niche solution focused on processing spreadsheets. It provides a bank of templates and an option to integrate Google Sheets, SalesForce, Microsoft Excel, Google Forms, WPS Office, etc. You can combine these modules with cloud storage, SQL Server or mySQL, GPS tracking, camera scanners, notifications, and a lot more. The entire development process in AppSheet is free. However, once you finish, every active user will cost your company $5 per month. 

 

  1. Appian

Appian offers a rich low-code development kit for internal corporate needs. It lets you combine complicated features in order to make them simple to use. Appian apps support multi-source data processing and AI assistance, which makes it a perfect platform for the automation of internal processes. When the app is ready, you can export it as a web app or a native app for iOS and Android.

 

  1. Appy Pie 

Appy Pie is a zero-coding app builder that allows you to select a design template and personalize it in several simple steps. The bank of modules includes chatbots, AI, AR, VR, and a wide range of integrative services. With a standard $18-plan, you can develop an app and publish it on Google Play. To cover iOS users and get premium features, you’ll need a $60 plan. 

 

Simplify! 

The main purpose of each platform on this list by Freepps.top is to simplify app development. Choose the one that meets your business requirements the most, and you will save hundreds of dollars on coders and beta testing. All apps on the market have common features that are available as templates in these services. 

 

Author’s Bio

Daniel Wilson

Daniel is an economics graduate and a huge enthusiast of mobile app development. His passion for mobile technology and years of web design experience led him to create his own website. Now he’s a chief editor at Freepps.top, where his team publishes expert reviews of mobile apps.