Tag: Smart Nation

Singapore – Singtel has launched a short film titled “From Mudflats to Smart Nation” to celebrate Singapore’s 58th National Day.

The 23-minute documentary celebrates the nation’s growth and success as a global economic hub and pays tribute to the 100th birth anniversary of Singapore’s founding prime minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.

The film delves into Mr. Lee’s visionary ideas for the nation and commemorates his famous quote from 1965, where he envisioned transforming Singapore from humble mudflats into a thriving metropolis.

Mr. Yuen Kuan Moon, Singtel Group CEO, expressed his delight in supporting Singapore’s development over the decades, from pioneering satellite services and laying the first submarine cable to providing fiber and internet access to every household.

Further, Moon emphasized the critical role of telecoms and technology in ensuring better lives and livelihoods, especially evident during the recent global pandemic.

In a statement from Ms. Lian Pek, Singtel’s vice president of strategic communications and brand, she highlighted how Singapore’s economic success is intertwined with its clever use of telecoms and technology, allowing the city-state to leapfrog ahead of competitors and give its citizens a head start in nation-building.

Meanwhile, the film’s release is a crucial moment for Singapore, reflecting its growth and the pivotal role of technology in shaping its identity as a Smart Nation. 

Singapore – The government of Singapore and global tech leader Apple have partnered to launch the health initiative LumiHealth, a personalized program to encourage healthy activity and behaviors using Apple Watch. 

The first-of-its-kind program was designed by Singapore’s Health Promotion Board in conjunction with Apple as part of the country’s Smart Nation initiative, which is a national effort to leverage technology to deliver benefits to its citizens and businesses.

At the core of the initiative is the LumiHealth app. Created in collaboration with a team of physicians and public health experts, LumiHealth uses technology and behavioral insights to encourage Singaporeans to keep a healthy living and complete wellness challenges through their Apple Watch and iPhone. 

The program will run for two years starting October 2020, where pre-order has already been made available on the app store.

“Even as all of us around the world are dealing with the challenges of COVID-19, we must keep investing in our future. And there is no better investment than in our own personal health,” said Heng Swee Keat, Singapore’s deputy prime minister. 

“This partnership between Singapore and Apple will enable Singaporeans to lead healthier lives, but equally important, it will contribute valuable insights [into] improving the health of people all over the world,” added Heng. 

The app uses a quirky feature, a ‘friendly” intergalactic explorer who will guide users while they “travel through worlds” in accomplishing wellness tasks that will be personalized based on their age, gender, and weight. 

The tasks include weekly activity goals that can be met through not just walking, but also swimming, yoga, and other activities. LumiHealth will also be providing reminders to users with regards to health screenings and immunizations as well as to participate in wellness challenges that aim to improve sleep habits and mindfulness, and encourage better food choices. 

Lumihealth

As users complete the said goals and challenges, users navigate the intergalactic explorer back to its “home,” all while being able to earn rewards worth up to S$380 over the two-year duration of the program. An Apple Watch is necessary to participate, as is downloading the LumiHealth app.

LumiHealth was created with customer privacy and data security built into its design. The program will be voluntary as users must opt in and provide consent to share information with app when they join, and may opt out at any time. 

Apple assures, “The collection of any personal identifiable information will be limited to information that will enable the app to provide an experience that is personalized and relevant to the user’s needs.” 

It adds on the privacy terms, “All user data will be encrypted to protect privacy. Data will be stored in a highly secure system that is fully compliant with Singapore’s data privacy and security laws. No data from LumiHealth will ever be sold or shared for marketing purposes.”

LumiHealth is the culmination of a two-year process that began with Singapore soliciting proposals from international healthcare and technology companies on ways to enrich the lives and health of its population.

Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer said, “Singapore has one of the world’s leading healthcare systems, and we are thrilled to be partnering with them to incorporate Apple Watch and LumiHealth into their holistic approach to well-being.” 

“Apple Watch has already helped millions of our customers manage their activity levels to improve their health, and we look forward to applying our expertise here in the same privacy-friendly way,” added Williams.