Using Technologies (p1):
Avoiding the digital divide. using computers, tablets, smartphones, wearables (activity-trackers) and more.
Overcome Today's Challenges. Avoid Tomorrow's.
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The "Useful Apps Club"
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.
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".
Working at 90 and designing for age
Stimulated by a recent NPR segment on working at 90, here are some thoughts about user interfaces for older adults, and why they fall short.
Could tech really take 20 years off your age?
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.
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 October, 2018, as part of a course, organized by architect Susi Stadler. The course was entitled "Life at Home and Aging in Community".
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
Telephone, Cyber and Doorbell Scams Explored
Explorer Steve speaks about computer scams, including one brought to his attention by his neighbor who complained that a message would periodically appear on her computer screen telling her that her computer was infected, and to call the number in the message to get help in clearing her computer... .........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.
TV Ears
TV Ears is a lightweight headset using voice clarifying technology intended to capture the TV's audio signal and amplify only the human voice frequencies while decreasing background noise.
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Better Aging Library
Get the latest insights on what works, what doesn't work, and for whom.