Last year, CES in Pajamas, this year CES from the kitchen. Everyone who is anyone in the tech world wants to be at CES…well, almost everyone. Remember a 2012 health tech article called CES in Pajamas? Check out TelecareAware's analysis of write-ups in The CES of Health or MDDI's note about Aging in Place. And this year, the Forbes article, I, Robot Journalist: Beaming into CES 2014 was a great use of the Beam (from Suitable Technologies) telepresence device, "a motorized stand that looks like an iPad glued to a Segway." The Forbes writer 'wanders' around the International CES show and sort-of elbows her robotic way around to view various booths. The CEO of Suitable Technologies wants to see 10,000 Beams at CES 2015. Let’s try to imagine that scene -- I bet CES introduces a Beam registration limit to minimize violence on the show floor. (Seriously, you read it here first.)
LAS VEGAS, BOOTH 25521, SOUTH HALL 2, LVCC (January 7, 2014) – GreatCall Inc., the leader in providing solutions that enable independence for aging consumers and their family caregivers, today announced the launch of GreatCall Link. The smartphone app seamlessly connects GreatCall’s health and safety products with family caregivers, extending their ability to provide needed support.
CES, LAS VEGAS – Jan. 7, 2014 – Ooma®, Inc., the leader in smart home and business communication systems, introduces the Ooma Safety Phone, a new wearable phone that allows users to call for help during home emergency situations. This two-way communication device connects to the Ooma Telo and features two programmable speed-dial buttons that can be used to instantly call 911 emergency services and family members.
Intuitive manuals for new technologies were seemingly fictional until the launch of a new startup venture EasyTechGuides this past week. The company’s founder, Richard Donegan, aims to empower seniors with technology by creating visually intuitive guides for emerging devices and softwares.
Mobile industry analyst, Canalys estimates that just over 200,000 ‘smart wearable bands’ shipped in Q1-Q2 2013. However, it forecasts that worldwide shipments of smart wearable bands are on the rise. The market is set to grow by well over 500 per cent in Q3-Q4 2013. Despite growing interest in the category, however, products to date have been very limited. Canalys anticipates that 2014 will be the turning point for smart wearable devices. Market expansion will occur with the launch of improved technologies.
It’s that time of year – everyone knows someone. Your grandmother, your mother, father, uncle – they are, for the most part, living in their own homes, where not-so-hidden dangers are all around. Perhaps in addition, they are lonely – as this very sad article describes. So you know someone who is older than you and, perhaps, lives alone – as 46% of the women aged 75+ do, according to the US Census. So what might be a list of gift ideas aimed at a few of the opportunities and concerns of the 75+ person in your circle of family or friends or individuals in your neighborhood senior center? If you have them, please add your own suggestions to this list.