First take – this links together multiple Best Buy initiatives, starting in 2011. Look at the history of Best Buy. First a dabble with the now departed Wellcore in 2011 – clearly the time was not right – the oldest baby boomer turned 72 in 2018, but at 65 in 2010, consumers could not comprehend the utility of a wearable fall detector. But Best Buy executives saw the opportunity and decided to learn more. More significant in 2011, Best Buy became a founding consortium member in a ‘living lab’ Charter House in Rochester, Minnesota (along with Mayo Clinic). "We believe technology has the potential to foster healthy, productive lives by enabling easier access to information and medical care," says Kurt Hulander, then senior director of health platforms at Best Buy.
Minneapolis, August 15, 2018 – Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY), a leading technology products and services provider, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire GreatCall, Inc. for $800 million in cash.
What newcomers have entered the market? Besides ‘longevity market new media’ like Stria (former Next Avenue) that provided a splash of cold water for startups and investors in the older adult space. Although there is little evidence that any investors are bullish about the general older adult market – despite AARP documentation and various books to the contrary, innovators continue to create new offerings to help older adults live better lives. Here are five recent and soon-launching offerings to help – content is from the websites of the firms or articles about them:
PALO ALTO, CA – July 10, 2018 – Adding to the company’s growing lineup of Artificial Intelligence-powered (AI) microservices for the smart home, People Power, the Internet of Things (IoT) software company providing white-label solutions for home security, energy and senior care service, today announces its new Home Occupancy Status Microservice.