On Thursday, 29 April 2021 at 08:37:32 UTC+1, David Wade wrote:
On 28/04/2021 23:53, David Wade wrote:
On 28/04/2021 16:08, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
Heard on the news they're likely to use the NHS track and trace app as a
vaccine passport.

My phone is a Galaxy S4. Works just fine as a phone and camera and the
things I want a phone for. But too old for the NHS app - which was
presumably written by a pal of BoJo, given I can't see what's so special
about it that it needs the latest phones.


Google added some features to the Android OS to detect proximity of
other phones, so it could detect contacts. This was only added to newer
versions of Android.

BoJo's original app tried to bypass this, so he could have a central NHS
database, but we know what happened to that.

So Google not BoJo's fault..

I use the mobile so little for outgoing calls I'm happy with PAYG. And BT
hotspot Wi-Fi access round London, for my parking app, etc.

If I do have to buy a new phone, what is going to be the best value? With
at least as good a camera.


Look at the Samsung A series...

Dave

Actually we are not likely to use the Track & Trace app. Its the NHS
booking an records app

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...line.nhsonline

but it still needs Android 5 to work.

Dave

Correct - at last.

However, there is an issue that appears not yet to have been appreciated. Other than Wales using the same track and trace app as England, there is no other commonality of apps across the four nations. Whether "NHS app" or "NHS track and trace app".

Using "the NHS app" means "using the NHS England app". Which is only available in England. And, because it is tied into the GP systems, it is more complex than a change of some parameter in the app distribution system.

We also have questions over people who got vaccinated outside their GP surgery. For example, NHS staff - especially those who live in one nation but work in another. Or received one when they were abroad. And there will be many other possible issues - even if individually rare.