Has the 'Voice First' interface trend gone mainstream -- and can it benefit seniors? Some think so. What has initially been driven by Apple platform Siri and the Amazon Echo – and now with Google Home -- is about to become mainstream (or as it is described, 'Voice First’) as the primary way we interact with technology. There is even a possibility soon that both the Echo and Google Home devices could be utilized for voice calling. Here are seven examples of 'Voice First' approaches and experiments for seniors. Soon there will be more that reference Google Home – please comment with your own 'Voice First' example -- these are from the company websites or news stories:
The upshot: older adults are not buying into the trendiest tech. Maybe it is because they can’t afford it, aren’t aware of it, or are unconvinced of its value. Or maybe the unconvinced who could afford to spend the money fear privacy violations or identity theft. Or are burned out at staring at too much information on Facebook or Twitter. Considering their twenty years of life expectancy at age 65, perhaps overcoming technology adoption resistance and gaps should be a greater priority for those who want to help those in the oldest decades live their best lives. Looking at the update from Pew, observe:
ViewClix LLC (www.viewclix.com) today announced availability of the ViewClix Smart Frame, the first video plus picture frame that's designed specifically to help seniors and families stay connected.
What’s happening with older adults and tech adoption? Not much. Let’s take a look at the AARP 2016 Technology Trends Among Mid-Life and Older Americans. Hint, the report focused most of its analysis on boomers and below. So that leaves the rest of us to look more closely at what they found about older ages, since it seems that this is the most recent set of material on this topic. From Page 10: “Adults age 70+ are the least likely to have adopted any device.” And on Page 12: only 29% of those aged 70+ own a smartphone – and of non-owners in that age group, only 4% plan to buy one in the coming (2017) year.
Consider the following possible though unlikely 2017 tech advances. On the cusp of the new year and the 2017 CES announcement extravaganza, let’s hope. And beyond CES, here are a few semi-optimistic (or glass half-full) wishes for our technology lives – and the corollary of technology media coverage. Let's consider dropping the click bait media fawning over ever little twitch of self-driving cars.* Let's ask car manufacturers to consider simpler user interfaces (like this reviewed VW) for easier-to-manipulate temperature, audio and driving controls. And what else should we hope for?
Brookdale survey: using technology mainly to connect with family and friends reported greater life satisfaction, less loneliness, and higher goal attainment.
You may notice that it is the Christmas cheery season. [Rant on] Isn’t it great to see the sleigh-bell imagery, decoration excess, and TV Christmas-caroling crowds? Observe all the promotion, advertising and shopping discounts for must-have stuff. One guesses that Christmas must matter to self-identifying Christians, now only 75% of the US population, down from 80% in 2006. Yet the Christmas season is not about religion. It is a platform – a springboard for irrational spending, financial hangovers, 30% of annual retail sales, and the result -- goods that the recipient doesn’t want, need and can’t store – and that the giver can’t afford.
Has the 'Voice First' interface trend gone mainstream -- and can it benefit seniors? Some think so. What has initially been driven by Apple platform Siri and the Amazon Echo – and now with Google Home -- is about to become mainstream (or as it is described, 'Voice First’) as the 
The upshot: older adults are not buying into the trendiest tech. Maybe it is because they can’t afford it, aren’t aware of it, or are unconvinced of its value. Or maybe the unconvinced who could afford to spend the money fear privacy violations or identity theft. Or are burned out at staring at too much information on Facebook or Twitter. Considering their twenty years of life 
Tech-enabling home care is one lens on future of care. Venture capitalists listen carefully for trends fueled by talk in the media. During the past several years, they heard plenty -- about the 
What’s happening with older adults and tech adoption? Not much. Let’s take a look at the 
Consider the following possible though unlikely 2017 tech advances. On the cusp of the new year and the 2017 