Want to be able to track the spread of the H1N1 Flu at a moment's notice? iPhone users now have a plethora of options for keeping up to date on H1N1 swine flu announcements, and most of the iPhone swine flu apps are also available for the ultra low price of FREE!
Remember that all iPhone apps are not created equal, and it is fairly easy to tell which apps have been thrown together as a last minute attempt to capitalize on the fear over the H1N1 outbreak. One significant thing to consider regarding these apps is that recently most state health departments have stopped testing for H1N1 directly, so the information found through these apps may be less than accurate. Also be aware that all of these iphone apps require an active Wi-Fi, Edge, or 3G connection to provide any information (with the exception of Swine Flu Tracker as shown below).
Flu Tracker
Flu Tracker uses GPS mapping technology to show nearby outbreaks of the H1N1 Swine Flu near your location or anywhere in the world. Different icons are used to show confirmed cases versus deaths from H1N1. On the downside the maps are kind of difficult to read but at least its free.
Swine Flu Tracker
Swine Flu Tracker includes tabs describing the symptoms of the H1N1 flu, quoting pages of information from the CDC web site. The CDC information is quite extensive, covering almost every question that someone might have about the disease and how it is spread.
Swine Aware
Of the three free apps reviewed here Swine Aware certainly seems to be the most full featured. The application links to current, and recently updated information about the spread of the flu for both the United States and the world as a whole. It includes visual maps that are similar to the other apps, but goes farther to really provide some decent educational material. One of the more useful parts of the app is the hotlink to the weekly World Heath Organization briefing about the swine flu as well as other videos and podcasts about the disease. Although it asks for donations, the app does not feel like the kind of app where an author just threw it together to make a quick buck. There has been quite a bit of time put into the app, so of the three Swine Aware would definitely be a top pick.
