May local efforts inspire more

Let’s take back technological advances that have been sullied by tawdry tweets.

In between porn and revolution resides everything else out there in cyberland. It’s difficult to keep up — it’s not all angry kittens and cute birds, or whatever is popular this second. It’s fascinating to read

daily the ideas and applications people dream up. Reported recently, for example:

The new iPhone app Fromage lets you look up cheeses alphabetically, by region, by type of milk or by texture (blue, hard, soft) for each cheese, the Los Angeles Times reported. There are about 750 types, from 18 countries, with a photo, the region, and a suggested wine pairing.

Meanwhile, more and more doctors, especially cardiologists, are using their iPhones to make diagnoses or access patient information when called after hours. According to a Manhattan Research study, 75 percent of U.S. physicians own some form of Apple mobile device, McClatchy Newspapers reported.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Apple’s popularity, says the study, is driven by the increasing number of apps providing access to electronic medical records. But as of yet, there’s no fail-safe “privacy” app. (More than a third of the doctors surveyed listed concerns about privacy and security as their chief issue with using the applications.)

It’s science without pesky privacy issues when it comes to the free app called Leafsnap, which allows users to identify plants by simply photographing a leaf. The app searches a growing library of leaf images amassed by the Smithsonian Institution, the Associated Press reported. In seconds, it returns a likely species name, high-resolution photographs and information on the tree’s flowers, fruit, seeds and bark. Users share their findings with the app’s growing database.

Here in Snohomish County, the tourism bureau offers a smartphone app that allows people a self-guided tour of four sites: the Mountain Loop Highway, the cities of Snohomish and Granite Falls, and the Future of Flight and other aviation attractions. (Audio-only versions are also available.) What a great idea. A tour of the Centennial Trail is also in the works.

But the most inspiring melding of technology and subject award goes to Quil Ceda Elementary teacher David Cort and his 24 students who created the app “We Love Writing!” It includes original compositions by the fourth-graders. The app costs $4.99, with proceeds going to the school. Users can read the students’ stories in their own handwriting, or listen to students read their own stories. Very cool.

Highly recommended reading, biasedly based on titles alone: “The Yummy Applesauce” by Ivy Enberg, and “Soccer” with the subtitle, “Soccer is the best sport ever” by Mia Greenshields.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Sunday, April 6

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

The Washington state Capitol building in February. (Bill Lucia / Washington State Standard)
Editorial: Lawmakers puzzle over taxes, cuts and consequences

With the governor balking at one tax proposal, lawmakers look for balance among cuts and revenue.

Longshoremen offload containers from the Queen B at Port Manatee in Palmetto, Fla., April 1, 2025. Businesses that had ordered the cargo on the vessel were doing all they could to get their purchases through U.S. customs before Wednesday, to ensure that they would not have to pay the new, higher levies. (Scott McIntyre/The New York Times)
Comment: Trading tariffs for global uncertainty

What the highest tariffs in decades could mean for U.S. maufacturing, jobs and the economy.

Courts must review federal actions for detention, deportation

Why is the president of the United States of America being allowed… Continue reading

If government cuts services, keep our tax dollars in state

With all the federal government’s recent firings of American workers, several problems… Continue reading

U.S. is a republic and a democracy; if we can keep it

In regards to the debate as to whether our government is a… Continue reading

U.S. is alienating its allies

It used to be that other countries sometimes didn’t like us, but… Continue reading

Skip the stories on luxury homes

I think it’s nice the New York Times wrote a piece about… Continue reading

What’s purpose of obscuring history by scrubbing websites?

The war against DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) has gone too far.… Continue reading

King County Executive Dow Constantine and Senator Maria Cantwell walk through the Lynnwood Center Station to board the 12:30 pm train during the Lynnwood 1 Line extension opening celebrations on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Transit board, new CEO have much to deliver

Sound Transit’s board hired one of its own as chief. The stakes for success are high for all involved.

Everett mayor Cassie Franklin delivers her State of the City address on Friday, March 28 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Editorial: The state of Everett amid the state of play

In her state of the city speech, Mayor Cassie Franklin makes the case for optimism amid dark clouds.

Genna Martin / The Herald
Piles of wires, motherboards and other electronic parts fill boxes at E-Waste Recycling Center, Thursday. 
Photo taken 1204014
Editorial: Right to repair win for consumers, shops, climate

Legislation now in the Senate would make it easier and cheaper to fix smartphones and other devices.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.