Jack Dorsey Unlocks Sun Day App for Vitamin D Tracking
Jack Dorsey, known for co-founding Twitter and leading Block (formerly Square), is back in the headlines, not just for his crypto ventures but for exploring new technological frontiers. His latest project, the “Sun Day” app, offers a novel way for users to estimate their sun exposure and potential vitamin D synthesis, leveraging technology in a personal health context.
Explore the “Sun Day” App by Jack Dorsey
The “Sun Day” app, shared by Jack Dorsey on X (formerly Twitter), aims to provide users with a rough estimate of their sun exposure and the resulting vitamin D synthesis. According to its white paper on GitHub, the app utilizes a multifactor model based on scientific research to calculate vitamin D production from UV exposure.
Key aspects of the app:
- **UV Index Tracking:** Uses location services to monitor the current UV index.
- **Personalized Factors:** Incorporates user input like age, clothing type, and skin tone.
- **Health Data Integration:** Factors in data from Apple Health, including historical vitamin D records.
- **Safety Conscious:** Designed to provide conservative estimates for user safety.
How the Sun Day App Works: Manual Input Required
Unlike apps that automatically detect light exposure, the Sun Day app requires manual interaction. Users must tap a button when they begin sun exposure and tap it again when they move indoors. This manual toggle system logs each session, as confirmed by Dorsey in responses on X.
Future improvements planned for the app include using more precise calculations based on height and weight, seasonal adjustments, and potentially integrating actual vitamin D blood test results for enhanced accuracy.
Block AI Powers Development: Introducing Goose
Interestingly, Dorsey revealed that the development of the Sun Day app was assisted by Goose, an artificial intelligence tool created by Block. This highlights Block’s ongoing exploration and utilization of AI technology, not just within its core financial services but also for developing new consumer applications.
Dorsey’s Recent App Ventures: Sun Day and Bitchat
The launch of Sun Day follows closely on the heels of another beta app released by Dorsey: Bitchat. Launched just the previous weekend, Bitchat is a decentralized peer-to-peer messaging service designed to operate entirely over Bluetooth networks. This rapid succession of app launches underscores Dorsey’s current focus on learning and experimenting with new technologies, from Bluetooth mesh networks for communication to AI-assisted development for health tracking.
Why a Vitamin D App? Understanding the Goal
While some might question the focus on a vitamin D app, Dorsey’s response to inquiries about his recent flurry of app releases was simply, “Nah. I’m learning.” This suggests his motivation is rooted in exploring the capabilities of new technologies, including AI tools like Block’s Goose, and understanding how they can be applied to different areas, from decentralized communication with Bitchat to personal health tracking with Sun Day.
Summary: Jack Dorsey’s Tech Exploration Continues
Jack Dorsey’s launch of the Sun Day app, developed with Block’s AI assistant Goose, demonstrates his continued interest in leveraging technology for diverse applications beyond traditional social media or financial services. While the app requires manual input and is currently in beta via TestFlight, it represents an intriguing experiment in personal health tracking using location data and user-provided information. Coupled with his recent Bitchat project, these launches paint a picture of a tech entrepreneur actively learning and building across different domains, showcasing the potential of AI-assisted development and decentralized technologies.
