Using Technologies (p1):
Research, explorations, discussions, and products and resources relating to Using Technologies: from Tech-enhanced Life.
Avoiding the digital divide. using computers, tablets, smartphones, wearables (activity-trackers) and more.
For Older Adults, their Families, and Caregivers
— and for Companies Creating Innovations Related to Aging.
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Featured Guides & Reports: Using Technologies
The "Useful Apps Club" for Older Adults
Unlock the potential of your smartphone or tablet to improve your life.
The "Useful Apps Club" is for older adults and Boomers who have a smartphone or tablet (or are thinking of getting one) and need help to turn it into a useful tool. We are focused on finding Apps that can change your life, and teaching you how to use them.
Technology & the Future of Aging
This is a live recording (slides and audio) of a talk given by Richard Caro entitled "The Future of Aging, & the Intersection of Aging & Technology". This talk was given in March 2019, at the Commonwealth Club, San Francisco.
What They Want vs What You Think They Need
I've said it before. Most of the products for older adults that we see are frankly not very good. This article is about two especially common pitfalls. I think of them as the "eat your broccoli" error, and the "I know how to market to 40 year olds" issue.
Alzheimer's Thermostat Design: Jeeves vs. Nurse Ratched
Remember Jeeves, and Nurse Ratched? Imagine they were in charge of designing products for older adults. I wish we had the sort of products I imagine Jeeves would have designed for Bertie Wooster. Unfortunately, we seem to get the products Nurse Ratched might have dreamed up for the unfortunate inmates of "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest".
Can Technology Delay Functional Decline?
My favorite question when I meet someone with an idea for a new venture is: “what problem are we trying to solve?". Here is one that is really worthwhile: Delaying functional decline as we age!
Amazon Echo Show: Older Adults Explore
Our Longevity Explorers have been testing the Amazon Echo Show and exploring its capabilities. With the ability to make phone calls and video calls on request, Alexa and the Amazon Echo Show have added important capabilities since our community of older adults first explored Alexa back in 2017. Learn what these "seniors" think is (or is not) useful about it; what questions they have; and what they think needs improvement.
The Paradox of Good UX Design for Seniors
Seniors report avoiding, or using in as stealth a manner as possible, technologies that would improve the quality of their lives — even enhance their safety — because they are associated with or specifically designed for the elderly. The paradox, then, for good UX design that addresses seniors’ needs is to do so without explicitly seeming to target the “old.”
Apple Watches Help Monitor Elders' Health
One of our SRC Explorers is an enthusiastic Apple Watch owner, and presents to the group about the features he likes.
SF Explorers use Amazon Echo Show to Reach Across the Country
The San Francisco Explorers participate in a cross country video call demonstration of the use of an Amazon Echo Show. .........Read more
Internet Scams and Safety
This is a talk on Internet scams and Safety, from Capt John Alfred. Captain Alfred directs the cyber crimes and the state fusion units with the Rhode Island State Police. .........Read more
Generational Learning Styles: Impact on Product Design
Intergenerational discussion about Learning Styles. How do they differ between generations? What is the impact of that on developing products for older adults? .........Read more
Rosalie Sings the Praises of Amazon's Alexa
Explorer Rosalie reports to the group on her experience from Amazon's first Echo and newer products and Alexa skills, including "Let's Chat". .........Read more
If I Had a Magic Wand, Here is What My Smarthome (Robot) Would Do to Help Me Stay Home Longer
'Blue Sky' thinking about the things that Explorers would like done for them by a Smarthome or domestic robot is off with a rush. .........Read more
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Oscar Senior
Oscar Senior is an app for tablets or smartphones that provides a simplified visual interface designed for ease of use by older adults and communication with family or friends.
BigKeys iPad Keyboard App
The BigKeys keyboard app is intended to enlarge the font size to enable users with visual disability or poor vision tend to use a physical keyboard with an iPad, since they may tend not to see (or feel) what they tapped on.
CompuMed
CompuMed is a countertop device to store and dispense medications at pre programmed times, with alerts.
Skype
Skype is a free app for video calling which can help people stay in touch over long distances.
RFID Blocker Sleeves
RFID blocker sleeves protect credit cards, passports, and other radio frequency ID cards from being read by unauthorized scanning devices nearby.
Magnifier Android App
The Magnifier app is an Android version of the EyeReader iPhone app.
Course on Using Smart Phones and Tablets
A course on using smart phones and tablets by AARP
Drivesharp
Drivesharp is a brain fitness product of Posit Science which is offered in partnership with the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
NoMoRobo: website to help stop robocalls
NoMoRobo is a web site that allows the user to register the number receiving telemarketing calls and which intercepts those nuisance calls before they reach you. Calls from other than known illegal telemarketing sources come through as always. Occasional telemarketing calls come through and...
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