Social Security has a smart phone app.  Never one to be behind the technology times, Social Security has announced the availability of a smart phone site, noting that 35 million page views come via smart phones -- over what period, how many repeats, we can only guess. The site must be a work in process, however. Before I could even type my password into MySocialSecurity, a message informed me that the information which I had not yet requested was best viewed on a desktop. No kidding. There are more options and tidbits of information on the desktop site than on the mobile site, including the non-trivial process of applying for benefits. On a phone would be a study in persistence in the face of daunting obstacles. But life is good: "phone users can connect with Social Security on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest."  Whew, if we couldn’t connect through Pinterest, I just don’t know what we’d do. >>> Read more . . .

Center for Tech and Aging Builds a Mobile Health Program. “Mobile health (mHealth) technologies hold great promise for helping health care providers deliver high-quality, targeted care to aging Americans with chronic conditions. The Center for Technology and Aging (www.techandaging.org) today launched a comprehensive online mHealth Toolkit that offers key resources to organizations that want to develop a best-in-class mHealth program for chronic disease management.  The mHealth Toolkit contains vetted techniques for using mHealth interventions in many health care settings for individuals with a range of chronic care needs.” Learn more at Center for Technology and Aging. >>> Read more . . .

Note the variation on the S4 of making the phone Easy Mode.  Maybe this is the future.

Every time a technology divide is crossed, a new one is created.  For years, we have documented the incremental growth in Internet use among older adults. And now, 41 million (13.3%) of the 315 million US citizens are 65+. Finally Pew announces, for the first time, that 53% of that 65+ population is online. Using whatever -- it doesn't say. But hang on now, almost 70% of affluent adults own smart phones. Yippee! But when it comes to the 65+ and smart phone use, the sleeping market giant of older adults online still dozes -- only 11% of the 65+ have them. Although smart phones represent 56% of mobile phone use, senior smart phone users represent only 23% of all those mobile phone users -- and their mobile phone usage is the lowest percentage of any of their other online access methods. So why do you suppose that’s the case? It surely isn’t for lack of money – they have significantly more wealth than younger cohorts. >>> Read more . . .

BugMe!, the original “yellow sticky” app, enables seniors to jot quick reminder notes with alerts >>> Read more . . .

In Time’s poll, 1 in 4 people check their phone every 30 minutes, 1 in 5 every 10 minutes.

Earl™, the voice accessible iOS application that reads newspapers, magazines and other media content is now available for free download from the iTunes Store for a limited time. >>> Read more . . .

In collaboration with SingTel, Silverline is offering a suite of apps specially created to serve seniors. The premise is simple: when you sign a contract with a phone company they heavily subsidize the cost of your new smartphone. For the next 18 to 24 months you have the latest and greatest smartphone in your pocket. But what excites you today might not be so exciting 24 months from now as smartphone manufacturers are advancing these technologies at breakneck speed.

Marty Cooper and the invention and evolution of the cell phone.