From acquisitions to expanded collaborations to new offerings, here are the latest stories about health IT companies, including Google, Amazon and Epic.
- Google said it will launch a new version of its smart speaker Nest Hub that can track users' sleep via a built-in radar sensor.
- Amazon received emergency use authorization from the FDA for its COVID-19 testing kits, made by Amazon subsidiary STS Lab Holco.
- Lyft rolled out a new central hub resource that lets users book transportation to COVID-19 vaccine appointments for themselves, a loved one or fund a ride for someone else in need.
- DoorDash began offering same-day delivery of COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test collection kits via partnerships with Vault Health and Everlywell.
- Uber teamed up with ScriptDrop to expand its prescription delivery services for pharmacies and patients across 37 states.
- Amazon rolled out onsite COVID-19 vaccination clinics for front-line workers at fulfillment centers in Missouri beginning March 25.
- Epic said it will open a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for its nearly 10,000 employees.
- Google said it plans to spend more than $7 billion on expanding offices and its data centers across the U.S. in 2021.
- Epic and Humana moved ahead with the next phase of their collaboration to improve patient and provider communication and access to health information.
- Microsoft, Salesforce, Oracle and other tech companies joined the Vaccination Credential Initiative, a coalition of tech giants and healthcare providers developing global standards for mobile apps that verify individuals' COVID-19 vaccine status.
- Cerner closed its acquisition of Kantar Health, the clinical research division of data and consulting company Kantar Group, for $375 million.
- Walmart said it will make COVID-19 vaccination records available digitally for those who receive shots at Walmart and Sam's Club.
- The U.S. Justice Department began reviewing UnitedHealth Group's proposed acquisition of Change Healthcare.
- Apple's job post bulletin revealed the company is recruiting data scientists to develop machine learning algorithms for the early detection of certain diseases or disease conditions.
- IBM and Cleveland Clinic formed a 10-year partnership to create a joint accelerator center to advance healthcare discoveries using artificial intelligence and cloud computing technologies.
- Apple updated Apple Maps with a vaccine availability and locator tool developed by the CDC and Boston Children's Hospital.